James Goodson

While leading Shirtblue Red Section, I led the section down covering Lt. Col. Blakeslee (leading Shirtblue squadron and the group ) when he went down on several FW 190's to the rear of and below bombers. These 5/a were eager to engage in dog-fights which took us down to 5,000 to 8,000 feet. Lt. Col. Blakeslee had a dog fight with a 190 turning which I followed him line astern to the best of my ability (a rough ride). Other 190's attempted to attack, but usually broke away down through the clouds when I turned into them, although I remember squirting at one of them. One, however, made a more determined attack, firing at Lt. Col. Blakeslee even after I started firing at him. When I started getting strikes on him, he broke hard port, but although he pulled streamers from his wing-tips, I was able to pull my night through him. He suddenly did 2 flickrolls, and then split-nosed vertically through some light scud cloud. I followed in a steep wing-over and had to pull out hard to miss some trees as the cloud was lower than I had realized. As I did so, I caught sight of an explosion on the deck. Since the 190 had gone through vertically, I feel sure he could not have pulled out even if he had not been damaged. The above had taken only a few seconds and I was able to join Lt. Col. Blakeslee again. Before I could get close enough to prevent it, a 190 came in on Lt. Col. Blakeslee and commenced firing at quite short range. I was able to pull in line astern on him at about 250 yards range and was relieved to see strikes all over him, and see him peel away and crash in flames on the ground, which was quite close. Lt. Col. Blakeslee, although I knew he had been hit, was now attacking another FW 190 at very close range, and with very good results, but another 190 was coming in at about 9 o'clock above. This was unfortunate as I was now completely out of ammunition, however, I turned into him, and he broke away to the deck. My wingman (Lt. Wehrmen) deserves the highest credit in that he struck with me throughout inspite of the violence of the original bounce and the subsequent maneuvers; but a number of Spitfires preferred to stay at a safer altitude – and left the area. I felt escort could have been effective if fewer friendly fighters had been involved, as the general confusal seemed to prevent the rest of the squadron from staying with us. Lt. Col. Blakeslee was shot up spraying oil badly and his radio was shot out. Lt. Wehrman and I escorted him out at about 4,000 feet just above cloud level, coming out at Boulogne. Just after we came out a ME 109 came down from above, but when we turned, he dove into the cloud and did not reappear. We landed at Manston. I claim 2 FW 190's Destroyed.