Lloyd Langdon

a . Combat b . 30 January 1944 c . 6 3rd Fighter Squadron , 56th Fighter Group d . 1 2 5 5 to 1300 hours e . South of Quakenbruck f . 10 /10 at 6,000 feet g . 3 M e 109 's h . 2 M e 109 's destroyed , 1 Me 109 damaged i . I was flying No. 4 in Northgrove White flight (Col. Landry, Lts. Wisniewski , Hall and Langdon). Lt. Hall and I had become seperated from our flight during a bounce made on about 10 Ju 88's. We were then escorting a box of B-24's coming out, when we sighted 15 Me 109's below us and heading Northeast. Lt. Hall got into position for a bounce and we "S"ed down behind the e/a. Lt. Hall closed to 20/30 yards and then slid directly behind the rearmost 109 on the right and opened fire. The e/a blew up and went down. I was overshooting Lt. Hall, so I chopped my throttle and opened fire on the rearmost e/a on the right. I observed hits and one small explosion. The 109 then made a gentle turn to the left and went down smoking. I claim this Me 109 destroyed . Directly to my left another e/a exploded and went down due to Lt. Hall's fire. I closed on the next Me 109 on the right and fired, observing hits on the canopy. The e/a made a slow left turn, rolled on its back and the pilot either fell or jumped out. I saw no chute open. I claim this Me 109 destroyed. I switched my fire to another Me 109 and at once observed hits on the canopy. This Me 109 broke left and down so hard that he went into a spin. I claim this e/a damaged. A single Thunderbolt passed over me and went after the e/a ahead. I broke right and rejoined Lt. Hall and we proceeded home with no further incident. The single P-47 also joined us on our way out. It was piloted by Lt. Quirk of the 62nd Squadron. If in any formation, the e/a were in a column of flights with 3 or 4 abreast. Some carried belly tanks and also what appeared to be rocket guns. They were evidently unaware of our attack until hit and made no effort to retal iate or pursue us. - 1 - Personal Combat Report – 2nd Lt. L.M. Langdon 30/1/44, F.O. #227 ( Cont'd . ) They were attacked by at least a flight of Thunderbolts from the 352nd Group (markings: PE) after we had broken off. I claim 2 M e 109 's destroyed and 1 Me 109 damaged .