John Thornell

a . Combat b . 8 May, 1944 c . 328th F tr S q, 352nd Ftr Gp d . Approx 1000 e . Area of Nienburg f . 5-7/10 from 1500 to 5,000 ft g . Me-109s h . Three (3) Me-109s destroyed i . I was leading Blue section and made a bounce on four Me-109s that had just attacked the bombers from above. This was 20 min after R/ V and we had a dogfight. I fired a one-second burst at almost a head-on pass observing no hits, but breaking up their formation as they hit the deck. My wingman, Lt. Galiga, shot one e/a off my tail. After this combat I was alone at 5000 ft; my flt having become separated in the fight. I joined up with White Ldr, 487th Ftr Sq , our Gp. We spotted three Me-109s drawing contrails heading for the bombers. They brake for the deck and we followed I was in the lead on the bounce. At 50-100 yds range I opened fire on the No. 2 man in the enemy formation; he burst into flames and hit the grd. I was down at 2000 ft by then. I then slid over and fired at the No. 1 e/a. He fell apart in the air and the fuselage hit the grd and exploded. We started for home but I lost 487th Ftr Sq Ldr (Lt Col Meyer) in the clouds. When I was at 3000 ft I observed an Me-109 on my tail. Thinking I was out of ammo I called to Col Meyer but he couldn't find me. I was turning with this Me-109 at this time. At this time Col Meyer called and said to chew his tail off because I was close enough. As I turned inside this e/a, I closed to 10 or 15 yds when he immediately bailed out. I dropped below the clouds and saw his chute open and saw him land in the woods. To the left I observed a field, which I belie ve to be Bo m litz with 5 Me-109s parked on it. I observed another chute coming downover the field. I flew over and saw the man was an american . He landed on the edge of the enemy airfield. At this time the flak and light gun fire was pretty heavy so I turned and headed for home, climbing to 10,000 ft to cross out. I C laim : Three (3) Me-109s D estroyed j . Ser No of A/ C : 4 2 - 106872