Loyd Rowlett
20th Fighter Group 11/02/1944
PILOT’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
1st Lt. Loyd E. Rowlett
A. Combat.
B. 2 November 1944.
C. 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group.
D. 1230.
E. Vicinity of Merseburg.
F. Clear 20,000 – 28,000 feet.
G. Me-109.
H. Two (2) Me-109s destroyed.
I.
“I was flying Red Leader. We had gone down to 22,000 feet northwest of the target, Merseburg, at about 1230 when bandits were called in at the bombers which were above us. We immediately started to climb and after getting to 24,000 feet we saw a B-17 in flames come out of the bottom of the overcast with a Me-109 on his tail. I turned into him and gave him a short burst, registering a few hits. My wingman then got on his tail and destroyed this e/a.
After this three more Me-109s came down from the overcast and I immediately turned into them and tailed on to one of them and gave him a long burst from about 200 yards directly behind him. I saw strikes along the wing roots and fuselage. I followed him through another overcast as he dove at a 50o dive. When we broke out under this overcast we were at 3,000-4,000 feet. The e/a tried to half roll and went right into the ground. I pulled out to the right coming within 1,000 feet of the ground.
I climbed back up to about 15,000 feet when I spotted this lone Me-109 about 1,000 feet below me flying 90o away to my left. I immediately peeled off to the left and after getting within 400 yards of him I fired a long burst from 10o deflection closing into 100 yards and 0o deflection. I observed many strikes all along the fuselage, saw pieces fly off the plane and his right landing wheel came down. I fired another burst from my remaining gun, saw strikes along the right wing roots. The canopy was immediately jettisoned and the pilot bailed out at 13,000 feet.”
Claim: Two (2) Me-109s destroyed.
J. 1st Lt. Loyd E. Rowlett 43-25041 LC-I 448 rds 50 Caliber.
LOYD E. ROWLETT,
1st Lt., Air Corps.
JOSEPH R. GENEST,
1st Lt., Air Corps,
Intelligence Officer.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Loyd Rowlett of the 20th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Loyd Rowlett's combat experience.
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