Hubert Zemke

Combat 7 June 1944 61 st Fighter Squadron, 56 th Fighter Group Approximately 1840-1900 hours In the triangle between Chartres, Etempes-Mondesir, and Paris, France 5-6/10 cloud with certain large areas covered. 4-8,000 ft. Visibility above clouds unlimited, below clouds 5-10 miles. FW 190's 2 FW 190's destroyed, 1 FW 190 damaged After the Squadron made its bombing run, we wandered southwest in the quest of enemy road and rail activities or to engage any enemy aircraft that could be found. As we flew over Mantes-Gassicourt, France, I looked down from 10,000 feet and thought I saw a truck convoy on the road just north of the Seine River. I led the Squadron across the river and did a 180° turn to return, in the meantime, ordering the lower six aircraft of my immediate support to follow me down to investigate the convoy. Lt. Rankin was told to circle aloft at 14,000 feet and give us cover. The convoy proved to be piles of brown stones piled along the road so we pulled up and climbed back thru a cloud level just above. Just as we broke out of the top of the cloud level, Lt. Rankin in the top cover, reported three enemy aircraft climbing rapidly above the cloud level, then he said many bandits coming up. We were hit from above by approximately 15 FW 190's and Me 109's. Everyone breaking into them as fast as possible. I shot at 2 FW 190's above with considerable deflecting, more to make them break than to hit them, and immediately wheeled to the left to get out of the fire of an enemy Me 109 who was firing to beat hell. He passed in back of me from his 90° side approach and continued straight away, never waiting to turn back or recover. Six aircraft were immediately picked up two or three miles to the west and above so I continued to hold everything forward and climb in their direction. My difference in altitude and the distance that separated us caused me to lose some distance but I gained altitude. Somewhere past Evreaux airdrome, I could only see two some 10 miles ahead of me. These two did an abrupt turn to the southeast and started to fly southeast toward Paris. Again I picked up all six of them. The four leading were five miles ahead. At a point over Dreux airdrome I bounced the two stragglers from 22,000 feet only to discover they were two of my own outfit chasing the Hun. I gave them orders to join up with me as I was by myself and we would pursue the four ahead. The two misinterpreted and probably due to the shortage of gas turned and went home. The enemy who were only specks toward Paris by now were slowly climbing so I thought, "Here's a beautiful chance for a sneak kill." Again the throttle was boosted and I pointed the ship upwards. South of Paris, the 4 FW's did a right turn to head west enabling me to cut off considerable distance. My altitude being about 27,000, theirs being approximately 20,000 feet. -1- Personal Combat Report VIII Fighter Command F.O. #375, Colonel Hubert Zemke, Page 2. Again somewhere over Chartres, France, they conveniently did a 180° turn and headed fast. This last turn put me almost directly over them and the attack was started. All flew in a company front as we do. As I drew to a point approximately 2,000 yards in the rear of the four, the leader did a forty-five degree turn to the southeast and everyone began to cross over. I picked out the last FW 190 and opened up on a 20° deflection shot, hitting him squarely after about 50 rounds. He went off spinning in flame, straight for the earth. The remaining three completed the turn and flew a three airplane company front. The element leader was picked out next with me flying about 300-400 yards in the rear. I opened up on him from directly astern flying straight and level. It is definitely recalled that he rocked his wings and I would rock my wings in return. He probably thought I was his wingman, who I had just shot down in the cross over turn and was saying over the R/T, "Hans, you bastard, move up in line abreast and stop flying in back of me." At any rate, I fired and fired at this pilot to finally tag him with a decent concentration and he nosed over to go straight down. This left two FW's still flying line abreast and unconcerned, so I slid over in back of the Flight Leader and opened fire. My tracers showed just as I hit him and the jinx was upf or he immediately began kicking rudder to roll over on his back and I swung over on the last man to shoot at him as he went down. No hits were seen but I claim a damage against the Flight Leader. Both were seen running like mad in a steep dive so I climbed up to 29,000 feet and came screaming home . The combat was at 22,000-24,000 ft. I claim 2 FW 190's destroyed and 1 FW 190 damaged.