Hubert Zemke

61 st Fighter Squadron, 56 th Group P-47-C2 0940 hrs. Vicinity of Cassel Thin Cirrus at 26,000 feet. Lower broke at 5,000 feet – 2/10 Three FW-190's 27,000 feet down to 24,000 feet Two each FW 190's destroyed. One each FW 190 damaged Nil Nil Nil As flying wing commander of the 56 th Fighter Group on this mission, I had decided that I would lead the 61 st Fighter Squadron as bouncing squadron. The 62 nd Fighter Squadron was to be close escort at the same altitude and slightly to the rear. The 63 rd Fighter Squadron was to be high cover for the other two squadrons with a superiority of one to two thousand fee more or less to the inside of the course and slightly ahead where I could direct their direction and disposition. Take off and climb of the squadrons was normal in that nothing of importance can be mentioned. The squadrons positioned themselves on the climb so that the 63 rd was on the left and the 62 nd was on the right. From Felixstowe to Gravelines the course was 174 degrees thru a thin layer of about 6/10 Cirrus clouds. This gave me considerable anxiety as the 56 th Group was to give high support to the 4 th Fighter Group. The layer being at 26,000 feet. At this same time, which was about 0930 plus hours, con-trails were reported ahead going into France and were believed to be the 4 th Fighter Group. Shortly, thereafter, the Ground Operations reported bandits in the vicinity of Ostend heading West along the coast. Since the group had not reached France and were trying to give support to the 4 th Fighter Group, who were only in visual contact by their occasional condensation trails ahead, it was decided to continue on plan. At about 0935 hours, while still over water, the Ground Operations reported that 20 plus bandits were in the Lille area, heading to the N.W. (in our direction_ altitude unknown. When the coast was reached at 0937 hours, a slight turn left was made placing the 63 rd slightly ahead and well to the left. They having gained two thousand feet of altitude over remained of the ground. Again Ground Operations gave us instructions that 20 plus bandits were flying N.W. at 20,000 feet in the vicinity of Ypres. This being due ahead of us on course. A split second later I looked ahead at 11 o'clock and down slightly toward a very large hole in the Cirrus clouds and saw fifteen or twenty spots climbing in our direction. Some of these spots were leaving distinct vapor trails. (Note sketch No. 1) They must have been 15 or 20 miles away at the time. They, as well as we, never altered our course but closed at a very rapid rate. Personal Combat Report Col. Hubert Zemke Field Order No. 44 Page 2 When a distance of two or three miles between forces had been reached, I saw that they were flying in three groups of approximately six each in what would be called a company front formation. They were then below some three or four thousand feet and well to my left. The altitude of my squadron was 27,000 feet at that time. The squadrons were told that I was taking the first section of eight of the 61 st Fighter Squadron in a left diving attack. It may be noted that I forgot to touch my throttle and it remained at 31 inches Hg. Manifold pressure and 2550 R.P.M. for the entire combat. At first I dove to attack the lower lead unit, but changed my mind and continued down to attack a group who were slightly to the rear and above the lead unit. As the attacking dive commenced, the lead E/A group began turning to the right and the remainder to do likewise. This fact plus the fact that they never flew more than two or three airplane lengths apart, leads me to believe that I was never seen but that all eyes were on the 63 rd Fighter Squadron which was well to my left and directly over the hole in the overcast. (Note Sketch No. 2) As I approached the last of the four enemy aircraft, directly astern, I noticed that the tail end aircraft had white stripes around the horizontal stabilizer and elevators. This made me hesitate for I thought these aircraft might have been P-47's coming out of France. Perhaps this hesitation helped me, for I closed to 150-200 yards before firing. There was no doubt in my mind then. To destroy the aircraft was a mere matter of putting the dot on the fuselage, and pulling the trigger. A split second after firing, the fuselage burst into flame and pieces of the right wing came off. He immediately went down to the right leaving the number three plane of the four aircraft string just ahead. This plane for some reason must have been weaving so that I had to give it some deflection. The deflection proved to be a bit excessive and I noticed strikes out on the right wing tip. The plane being in a right bank went down placing me directly in back of the number two plane of the string, which sat in the gun sight as one would imagine for the ideal shot. Again, when the trigger was pulled this aircraft exploded with a long sheet of flame and smoke. Unfortunately the number one man of the flight of FW 190's must have become aware of the unhealthy situation and left the scene of battle in a dive so I didn't see him go. Each gun fired an average of 50 rounds in the three bursts mentioned above. Recovery was thereafter made due ahead to 26,000 feet where a slight turn to the left was made and I found that Dunkirk was directly down to the left. On looking over the sky again, everything was well broken up and miles away. Only two other P-47's were with me out of the sixteen first taken out. Combats were noted at great distances away so I ordered an assemble over Dunkirk. This was exceedingly difficult as the R/T was a nearly jammed with pilots reporting each other and E/A as can be imagined. The assembly point was moved out over the sea from Dunkirk as quite heavy anti-aircraft was put up over the area. The Squadrons were then ordered home, since the E/A had gone to the deck and it was believed all organizations were disorganized. In reality the 62 nd and 63 rd Fighter Squadrons never entered battle. I had failed to call them down until too late. The group continued on to home base with the two above mentioned squadrons giving support and picking up my stragglers. I claim 22 FW 190's destroyed, and 1 FW 190 damaged.