James Jure

a . Combat (air) b . 27 June , 1944 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron , 56th Fighter Group d . 2 0 30-2045 h ours e . N ear Esternay f . 6/10 Cumulus g . Me-109's h . Two Me-109's destroyed i . I was flying Whippet Red 2 but became separated during dive-bombing attack previous to engagement and attached myself to White flight as fifth man. We were flying north west at about 12,000 feet. Near Esternay White 3 sighted an Me-109 on the deck heading east. Myself, White 3 and White 4 dove to attack whereupon the enemy aircraft began to climb toward cloud cover at about 5500 feet . Lt. Gerick, White 3, closed and I cut the enemy aircraft off to the left. The enemy aircraft was heading north west and climbing when I opened fire in a climb at about 175 M.P.H. at about 400 yards. I fired a long burst and saw around 15 strikes suddenly hit and smoke started pouring out. The enemy aircraft then entered the clouds smoking badly. Two enemy aircraft were seen to hit the ground a few minutes later. Lt. Col. Gabreski saw one and Lt. Gerick saw one. I believe one of these enemy aircraft was the one I hit. After the first enemy aircraft went into the clouds I dropped below the clouds to pick him up in case he dropped below again, instead while I was headed north at 5,000 feet, another Me-109 dove out of clouds at about same level going 180 o to me. I made a head-on attack and opened fire at about 300 yards. The enemy aircraft flew through my fire whereupon I made a tigh 180 o to continue the attack. I blew the tail off the 109 on the first pass, however I saw, upon turning, the enemy aircraft stall and the pilot bail out. The enemy aircraft went into a flat spin and crashed. The pilot's chute did not open. I claim two Me-109 's destroyed . j. 1 121 rds .50 cal A .P.