Jesse Davis
78th Fighter Group 09/27/1943
b. 27 September, 1943.
c. 83 rd Fighter Squadron, 78 th Fighter Group
d. 1020.
e. Emden.
f. 8/10 middle cloud, 5/10 thin cirrus, visibility good.
g. ME-109G. h 1 ME-109G destroyed. i . I was leading Lockyear Red flight on a mission escorting B-17's to their target at Emden. My flight was alone as we passed over the coast after the bomb run. We were at about 27,000 feet at 6 o'clock on the bombers when I sighted a 109 about 2000 feet below at 11 o'clock, almost underneath us. I went down for a bounce and gave him a burst from around 400 yards with about 15 degrees deflection. I did not observe any strikes so I stopped firing until I could get closer. I opened fire again and gave him a long burst, closing to about 250 yards dead astern. I observed incendiary hits, first on the left wing, then along the fuselage and on the cockpit, with a few hits on the right wing. A few large pieces and a great many small pieces flew off the E/A. My ship had the A.P.I. ammunition, and, as a result, all strikes caused incendiary flashes; it appeared to be very effective; I fired 95 rounds from each gun. I figured this Jerry was about through, so I stopped firing. As I broke off, I saw flame coming from the left wing root. The E/A winged over and went down in smoke, out of control.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Jesse Davis of the 78th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Jesse Davis's combat experience.
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