55th Fighter Group 07/07/1944
PILOT’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat.
B. 7 July 1944.
C. 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.
D. 1015.
E. Vicinity of Bernberg.
F. CAVU.
G. Three (3) Me 410’s.
H. Three (3) Me 410’s Destroyed.
I.
I was leading Hellcat Squadron – or rather White Section, Yellow Section having had to escort some cripples back home- in the vicinity of Bernberg in support of the heavies when we had the good fortune to meet 20 to 30 Me 410’s. Flying at 21,000 feet – 180 degrees to the track of the bombers, who were headed north – we observed a large formation of these twin engine enemy aircraft approaching our lead box of bombers at 19,000 feet.
I led my flight in on the tail of the 410’s but was unable to make an immediate attack because of some P-51’s who insisted on acting like enemy aircraft and making apparently hostile – though actually playful – attacks on our formation. In the meantime my second flight became engaged with an umbrella force of Me 109’s up top.
After convincing the 51’s that we were in no mood to play games, I again turned my flight into the 410’s and at about 800 yards, almost dead astern, started firing on the nearest enemy aircraft. One of his engines immediately began smoking, and as he pulled out of the formation I continued firing. For a few seconds I diverted my attack to another 410. One of his engines also started smoking and he slipped out of formation, attempting to regain control of his ship. By this time the combat had taken us to an altitude of about 3,000 feet. The attempts of these enemy aircraft to get control of their crippled planes was of no avail, because when I last saw them, they both headed straight into the deck and exploded.
I now turned my attention to a third 410 who was flying at 2,000 feet at the rear of the formation. I started firing at 350 yards, again dead astern, and closed to almost 100 yards, observing strikes all over the fuselage and canopy. At this point the Hun pulled up, rolled over on his back and smoking badly crashed into the earth. Just before his finish, however, I observed that his canopy was completely shattered and that gasoline was pouring out of holes in his wing.
The Huns stayed in a very tight formation throughout the rat race and only broke formation to crash into the ground or jump out of their planes. (During the course of the battle, I saw nine Me 410’s crash into the ground, and three chutes). At 500 to 1,000 feet we were forced to break away from them due to heavy ground fire and poor visability on the deck.
We observed fire from their rear guns only when we were above their level, and none of my ships were hit.
As a result of the above combat I claim three (3) Me 410’s destroyed.
JOHN D. LANDERS,
Major, Air Corps.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by John Landers of the 55th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of John Landers's combat experience.
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