JOHN ELDER

B . 15 April, 1944 C . 3 5 7 t h F i gh t e r Sq uadron D . 1 4 05; 1430 E . 20 miles east of Celle F . High overcast from 10,000 feet up; clear and hazy on ground G . Me 109 (air); 3 trains; barracks H . 1 Me 109 destroyed ; 3 trains damaged; 1 barracks damaged I . ACCOUNT OF COMBAT: I was leading Blowball Squadron on a fighter sweep. Our objective was an airdrome near Stendal, Germany, but the weather was bad, so we turned around 8 minutes before reaching the target. We were flying at 10,000 feet and sighted an airport about 20 miles east of Celle. Sunshade attacked it with his Squadron and radioed back that there were planes on the field and not much flak. I echeloned my flight to the right and made a pass from east to west on the south side of the field. There were no planes in the dispersal I went over, so I shot up a barracks. The anti-aircraft fire was intense and we lost two planes on the firsr pass, so we didn't go back. We climbed up to 4,000 feet and observed some trains in the vicinity. I attacked three of them and damaged them all, causing two of them to stop. I started back upstairs in a climbing turn and at 4,000 feet, noticed two planes behind me which I thought were P-51's but upon closer examination, saw that they were Me 109's. About that time, the leader started shooting and hit my right wing with a 20 mm shell. I stayed in a tight turn to the left and gradually began to get the advantage, causing the number 2 man to break for the deck. I then drew in behind the leader and gave him a rather long burst from close range, observing hits on the fuselage and wing roots. Smoke started pouring from his right radiator and he hit the deck. I followed him down and fired again at close range, observing hits on the fuselage. He crashed in a field a few seconds later. I then climbed to 18,000 feet and came home. I claim 1 Me 109 destroyed, 3 trains damaged and one barracks damaged.