LEROY SCHREIBER

61 st Fighter Squadron, 56 th Group P-47 D-1 1020 hours Arnhem Vertical visibility restricted, horizontal good. Scattered cirrus clouds Three Two ME 109s One FW 190 1. 24,000 feet to 12,000 feet 2. About 3,000 feet One ME 109 destroyed; one ME 109 probably destroyed Nil Nil Nil Narrative: I was flying in Major McCollom's flight as Keyworth White Three. We circled at 30,000 feet to the right of a group of B-17s coming out over Arnhem at about 22,000 to 25,000 feet. Major McCollom led the flight down to investigate three bogies at 12 o'clock flying above and to the right rear of the bombers. They were reported as Spitfires but as we closed rapidly, Major McCollom identified them as ME 109s. The Major took a hurried burst at the right wingman. I had crossed under to the left of the Major intending to shoot the left wingman. However since my speed was too great I did not attack immediately but zoomed up to the left , rolled over and started a second attack from about nine o'clock and above. As I started down the three ME 109s were still in a rather close V formation and taking no evasive action. I opened fire on the number three ME 109 after the other two started to break to the right and down. My ME 109 then broke down and to the right. I followed him, firing continuously, from about 350 to 250 yards range. I observed pieces fly off the enemy aircraft from right side of the fuselage and wing root. Then a cloud of white glycol smoke poured out. I looked behind and saw an FW 190 coming in on me. The last glimpse I took of the ME 109 showed him going down spinning. For evasive action I zoomed up in a left turn from 9,000 to 20,000 feet. I pulled away from the attacking FW 190. During my zoom I saw a lone P-47 at about 15,000 feet. He was being attacked by a FW 190. I called to him to break but he evidently did not hear me. The FW 190 fired at him in a dive overshot and continued his dive down to the deck. Then I called this same P-47 to take a shot at the FW 190 on my tail as I zoomed up in front of him. We went by him too quickly for him to get a decent burst. Meanwhile three ME 109s were maneuvering for a stern attack on Lt. Anderson. I called him again to break for the deck. He did. I then dove down on these ME 109s. One broke off his attack immediately and the second shortly after. I looked behind quickly and saw I was in the clear. I followed the third ME 109 which was following Lt. Anderson. The ME 109 was firing continually out of range. Lt. Anderson was skidding to avoid the fire. I closed to about 150 yards and fired all the rest of my ammunition from dead astern (altitude 3,000 feet). The ME 109 blew up in a splash of oil and flame. I flew through the debris , drew up alongside of Lt. Anderson and together we came home on the deck. We were not shot at again. I claim one ME 109 destroyed and one ME 109 probably destroyed.