JOHN MEYER

Rendezvousing with first box of bombers just NW of Frankfurt we saw a combat wing of B-17s well south of course—about 20 miles. There were several explosions among these bombers and no flak. I led an 8-ship section towards them . A s we approached we saw 20-25 parachutes floating below at various altitudes. We then saw 15 plus 109s and FW 190s headed toward bombers and started to attack but lost them in the haze against the ground. We spied another group of 15 plus aircraft believed to be enemy which headed for the deck when we started for them and again we lost them in the thick haze. Still proceeding towards this bomber box about 10 plus 109s crossed directly over us at 22,000' and started turning in behind us. As we turned into them they headed for the deck again they disappeared in the haze—all but one which I followed. I caught him at 5,000' firing a short burst at 200 yds. and 10 degrees deflection. The e/a caught fire and crashed into an airdrome after the pilot had successfully bailed out. The airdrome had 10 plus HE 177s and 20 plus other various type aircraft, mostly twin engine. I attacked one of the HE 177s and it caught fire burning profusely as I left. As I pulled up I observed a ME 109 on my tail at 250 yds. firing. He was painted Robin Egg Blue on bottom and sides and either black or dark brown on top. In about a turn and a half I was on his tail then he dropped some flaps and I was unable to get sufficient deflection. Unlike other Huns who in similar situations have broken for the deck and set themselves up, this Jerry continued his tight turn and seemed very willing to continue the fight. I tried dropping 10 degrees then 20 degrees of flaps and although the helped momentarily to decrease the radius of turn, my airspeed dropped off so much that I think nothing was gained by this. At this time I was receiving groundfire from the field directly below, the combat taking place at about 3,000'. Just then another 109 joined in the fight climbing above and dropping down behind me and, as he lost ground, climbing up again and attacking, as I completed the next orbit. I then broke for the deck flying as low as possible and headed south into the sun using valleys and hills for evasion. The Huns followed me for a while but always out of range. I pulled 67 inches for 30 minutes and somewhere in that time lost them. Claim: 1 ME 109 destroyed; 1 HE 177 destroyed