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HEADQUARTERS
55TH FIGHTER GROUP
APO 559, U.S. Army
Consolidated Encounter Report
Ground Strafing Attack on Munich/Brunnthal Landing Ground and Autobahn Dispersal Area.
Date: 9 April 1945
Eighth Air Force Field Order No. 1929A.
Time: 1650.
Total Claims: 49-0-22.
GROUP LEADER’S NARRATIVE:
I was Windsor (Group Leader) leading Hellcat Squadron. Our Group, flying reduced effort of three squadrons, made scheduled R/V and proceeded to the target, sighting only one flight of four Me 262’s, which were run off without damage to them or to our Big Friends. As our bombers approached Munich, Hellcat Squadron pulled left to the southeast of town in order to remain out of the accurate flak area. This squadron was assigned to cover the bombers in a general way, with Tudor and Acorn Squadrons covering one apiece of our two assigned boxes. All three squadrons orbitted just south of two above bombing level, rendering area support and observing excellent bomb results on Oberweisenfeld Airdrome.
As our second group got its bombs away, an Me 262 was sighted below by Major Giller, leading Tudor Squadron. He dropped tanks and gave chase with his White flight, destroying the e/a as it attempted to belly in on Munich/Riem Airfield. White flight went across this A/F, west to east, at deck level after the blow job. On the way across Lt. Allen, Tudor White 4, strafed and burned completely one Me 410 on the SE portion of the field. Many aircraft were sighted on the field, but since the flak was severe, Tudor Leader elected to orbit just south of town at 3,000 feet, hoping that the bombers coming along soon would provide a flak lull for better strafing conditions.
While circling at this altitude Tudor White flight was joined by Tudor Red flight led by Capt. Welch. Very shortly thereafter Tudor Leader spotted an He 111 being towed south on the main autobahn just south of Munich. He dropped down, and upon investigation of the e/a’s destination, he sighted many beautifully hidden aircraft of all types, including jets, parked on the autobahn shoulders and backed into the woods about six miles south of Munich and surrounding Munich/Brunnthal Landing Ground. All aircraft were covered with brush nets, providing excellent camouflage and making detection very difficult. Tudor Leader gave position and requested permission to beat up a few, and upon receiving same proceeded with his attacks.
Acorn Squadron was assigned by Windsor to withdraw with the bombers. Hellcat Squadron and Tudor Yellow Section furnished top cover until Tudor White’s ammunition was expended. As Tudor White Section withdrew Hellcat White Section dropped down and beat the area until all of their ammunition was exhausted. Then in turn Tudor Yellow and Hellcat Yellow emptied their guns in the woods, leaving the finest mass of burning destruction ever seen by the undersigned. Each pilot fired most of his ammunition, and there were so many targets that it is sincerely felt that personal claims are accurate and very conservative. There were no less than 100 aircraft in the immediate area, and flak was limited to three or four light inaccurate guns. I made eight to ten passes and had one or more aircraft as targets each time; and each of the approximately 35 aircraft involved had the same opportunity.
(signed by Tom H. Welch Jr., Maj, A.C. for)
ELWYN G. RIGHETTI,
Lt. Col., Air Corps.
Note: Lt. Col. Righetti is MIA from 17 April 1945. This report was written by Lt. Col. Righetti prior to his last mission, but was not mimeographed at that time; thus his signature on this report is not available.
38TH FIGHTER SQUADRON
Total Claims: 24-0-12
WINDSOR – flying HELLCAT WHITE LEADER:
My first pass was from north to south down the autobahn. An Me 262 (1) was destroyed on this attack, while several hits damaged an U/I T/E aircraft (2). Pulling around in a 270 to the right, I made another pass, this time from west to east, destroying two U/I T/E aircraft (3 and 4). As I broke off the attack, I observed three fires from these four e/a.
Making a 360 to port I attacked two Me 262’s (5 and 6) from west to east in a head-on pass, destroying both. One immediately exploded and as I closed in on the second it caught on fire.
I then made four to five passes on e/a dispersed along the northern perimeter of the airfield proper. Although I scored hits on several, since it was impossible for me to determine the extent of damage, I make no claims.
On my final pass I attacked two e/a, a long-nose FW 190 (7) and an U/I T/E aircraft (8) parked at the northeast end of the field, on a head-on pass from west to east. The 190 caught on fire and I therefore claim it as destroyed, while the U/I T/E e/a suffered considerable damage.
As a result of the above strafing attacks, I make the following claims:
(1) 1 Me 262 Destroyed Ammo. expended: 1,500 rounds.
(2) 1 U/I T/E Damaged
(3) 1 U/I T/E Destroyed
(4) 1 U/I T/E Destroyed
(5) 1 Me 262 Destroyed
(6) 1 Me 262 Destroyed
(7) 1 FW 190 (Long-nose) Destroyed
(8) 1 U/I T/E Damaged
(signed by Tom H. Welch Jr., Maj, A.C. for)
ELWYN G. RIGHETTI
O-396312, Lt. Col., Air Corps.
********
HELLCAT WHITE TWO:
I stayed with Lt. Col. Righetti for the first four passes while he attacked (1), (2), (3) and (4). On the 4th pass I fired my guns for the first time, getting hits on and damaging a U/I T/E (9) just south of his claimed e/a
After this I became separated from the Colonel. I looked around for him without success – then attacked another U/I T/E E/A (10) from east to west, scoring hits and causing damage.
My final two passes were directed at an Me 262 (11) located on the northern perimeter of the airfield. On the second pass the Jerry exploded and burst into flame, pieces of the e/a narrowly missing my own aircraft. As a result of these attacks I make the following claims:
(9) 1 U/I T/E Damaged Ammo. expended – 1,700 rounds
(10) 1 U/I T/E Damaged
(11) 1 Me 262 Destroyed
JOHN T. MALONEY, O-829723,
2nd Lieut., Air Corps.
********
HELLCAT WHITE THREE:
On my first pass our flight remained together, and after the Group Leader had strafed an Me 262 (1), I gave it a long burst. However, I make no claim.
My next attack was directed at another Me 262 (12) parked on the woods-line at the northeast edge of the field. After one pass from northeast to southwest this e/a burst into flames and I claim it as destroyed. Lt. Best, my wingman, substantiates this claim.
I continued across the airfield and got strikes on a long-nose FW 190 (13) just west of the autobahn. Two more passes, again from northeast to southwest, completed the job, for after the second or third attack it too caught on fire.
A ju 88 (14) parked north of the long-nose FW 190 was the object of my next attack. After the second pass from northeast to southwest the right nacelle flamed up and the e/a became ablaze.
I followed this with two passes at an Me 262 (15) parked between the 190 and the 88 and two more passes at another long-nose FW 190 (16), but neither caught on fire and I claim both as damaged.
After destroying the Me 262 (12) I found myself alone on subsequent attacks. Therefore, I can submit no statements confirming the destruction of (13) and (14). There are no doubts in my mind that they were destroyed, however, since I saw both of them catch on fire and later saw two columns of smoke rising from the three e/a, (13), (14) and (15). As a result of my strafing attacks on this airfield, I make the following claims:
(12) 1 Me 262 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 1,260 rounds
(13) 1 FW 190 (Long-nose) Destroyed
(14) 1 Ju 88 Destroyed
(15) 1 Me 262 Damaged
(16) 1 FW 190 (Long-nose) Damaged
JOHN W. CUNNICK,
O-832353, 1st Lt., Air Corps.
STATEMENT
I was on Lt. Cunnick’s wing when he attacked the Me 262 (12) at the northeast edge of the airfield. I saw the e/a catch on fire and therefore confirm Lt. Cunnick’s claim of this aircraft destroyed.
DONALD J. BEST,
O-516554, 2nd Lt., Air Corps.
********
HELLCAT WHITE FOUR:
In all I made six passes at three He 280’s (17, 18 and 19) parked off the NE tip of the landing strip. These e/a were almost entirely concealed by the woods, only their camouflaged noses sticking out. All my passes were from southwest to northeast.
On the first I got a long burst into (17). Then, on my second pass, after pummeling the e/a with strikes, (17) flashed into flames as I pulled up to avoid the trees.
(18) was damaged on the third pass, and on the 4th attack it (18) was seen smoking. (19) also received strikes on this pass, and as I came through to strafe it again it was observed to be on fire. On my 6th and last pass I got in a few final bursts on these 2 e/a.
When I left the area these three jets and the surrounding woods were on fire. I therefore make the following claims:
(17) 1 He 280 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 1,700 rounds
(18) 1 He 280 Destroyed
(19) 1 He 280 Destroyed
DONALD J. BEST,
O-516554, 2nd Lt., Air Corps.
STATEMENT
I can verify the claims of Lt. Best. When he had completed his attacks, all three of the e/a in question were left burning.
JOHN W. CUNNICK,
O-832353, 1st Lt., Air Corps.
********
HELLCAT RED LEADER:
There were three U/I T/E E/A parked in a line in the northern sector of the A/D. Two were on fire while the one in the middle (20) was still undamaged. Directing my attack against the latter, I came in from east to west. I managed to get in a very long burst – about 300 rounds in all – and blanketed the e/a with many hits. Despite the destruction caused by the attack, the aircraft did not catch on fire. I therefore claim it as damaged.
(20) 1 U/I T/E Damaged. Ammo. expended – 450 rounds
MILLARD O. ANDERSON
O-26278, 1st Lt., Air Corps.
STATEMENT
Failing to establish the fact that the above e/a caught on fire, Lt. Anderson’s original claim of one U/I T/E E/A destroyed has been reduced voluntarily to a damaged.
ANDREW C. BOYD, JR.
Capt., Air Corps.
Intelligence Officer.
********
COMBINED REPORT - HELLCAT YELLOW LEADER (Lt. Williams)
HELLCAT YELLOW TWO (Lt. Mirando)
Lt. Mirando and I attacked four long-nose FW 190’s (21) (22) (23) and (24) southwest of the town of Brunnthal across the autobahn from the airfield proper. I made six passes at these e/a and Lt. Mirando made five – all from east to west. After the 5th attack all four 190’s were burning.
A fifth FW 190 was parked between (22) and (23) and it was attacked and destroyed by an aircraft of the 4th Group. As we formed over the area before setting course, all five aircraft were on fire and smoking heavily.
Lt. Mirando and I, Therefore make the following combined claims, to be shared equally:
(21) 1 Long-nose FW 190 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 900 rounds
(22) 1 Long-nose FW 190 Destroyed
(23) 1 Long-nose FW 190 Destroyed
(24) 1 Long-nose FW 190 Destroyed
CLARENCE T. WILLIAMS,
O-798392, 1st Lt., Air Corps.
STATEMENT
I concur in the above statement of Lt. Williams.
Ammo. expended: 810
JOSEPH W. MIRANDO,
O-826729, 1st Lt., Air Corps.
********
HELLCAT YELLOW THREE:
There were two long-nose FW 190’s (25) and (26) facing north on the southern end of a large clearing just northwest of the A/D. I made five passes at these e/a, hitting both on every pass. On the fourth attack (26) started burning, and after coming around the final time, both e/a were smoking and on fire.
I passed over this area twice again before leaving the drome in hopes of finding other targets and saw the above e/a still on fire. I therefore claim them as destroyed as follows:
(25) 1 Long-nose FW 190 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 800 rounds
WILLIAM B. STAGGS,
O-754683, 1st Lt., Air Corps.
********
HELLCAT BLUE LEADER:
All my passes were made from east to west, 90 degrees to the autobahn, and were directed at three He 111’s (27, 28 and 29) on the west side of the road just south of a clearing off the northwest tip of the A/D proper.
On my first attack I got numerous strikes on (27) but it failed to catch on fire. My second pass finished the job, though, and I claim this He 111 as destroyed. This will be verified by my wingman, Lt. Bachman.
On my third pass I got hits on (29) and claim it as damaged. Then, coming around again for the final time, I blanketed (28) with strikes and it burst into flame. My wingman had left me by this time and thus cannot confirm this claim. But to make certain of the results I circled the area once more before setting course for home and observed that both (27) and (28) were on fire.
I therefore make the following claims:
(27) 1 He 111 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 1,203 rounds
(28) 1 He 111 Destroyed
(29) 1 He 111 Damaged
KEITH R. MCGINNIS, O-666407,
1st Lt., Air Corps.
STATEMENT
I witnessed Lt. McGinnis’ attack on (27) and will certify that it was destroyed by his fire.
DARREL D. BACHMAN, O-834932
2nd Lt., Air Corps.
********
HELLCAT BLUE TWO:
The e/a on which I make claims were parked just south of those claimed by Lt. McGinnis, on the same side of the autobahn. They are designated as (30) and (31) on the attached diagram.
I made four passes on these two e/a, all from east to west. On the first I attacked an Me 262 (30) and its left wing caught on fire. On the next pass I got in another good burst and the jet’s right wing flamed up. As a result I claim this Me 262 as destroyed.
My final two attacks were directed at an He 111 (31), but though I scored numerous strikes, it did not catch fire. I make the following claims:
(30) 1 Me 262 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 900 rounds.
(31) 1 He 111 Damaged
DARREL D. BACHMAN, O-834932
2nd Lt., Air Corps.
STATEMENT
I observed the results of Lt. Bachman’s attack on the Me 262 (30) and substantiate his claim that it caught on fire and was destroyed.
KEITH R. MCGINNIS, O-666407,
2nd Lt., Air Corps.
********
HELLCAT BLUE THREE
I was on the left of the first element of Blue flight and attacked two U/I S/E E/A (32) and (33) in a clearing west of the autobahn. Setting up a pattern on these two aircraft, I made five passes – all from east to west – but despite the fact that I clobbered them with strikes, they did not catch on fire. Therefore I claim them damaged as listed below:
(32) 1 U/I S/E Damaged Ammo. expended – 1,200 rounds
(33) 1 U/I S/E Damaged
CHARLES R. SCHENDEL,
O-792749, 1st Lt., Air Corps.
********
HELLCAT BLUE FOUR:
In our attack on e/a at Munich/Brunnthal Landing Ground I made four passes at three FW 190’s parked on the woods-line in a field just west of the autobahn. These are indicated on the attached diagram as (34), (35) and (36). My pattern during the attack was counter-clockwise, with all passes being made from east to west.
On my first pass I got his on (34) and (35). Completing my second pass, after scoring further strikes on these two e/a, I observed that they were smoking. I was high on my third attack and got hits on (36) – then lowering the nose, I got additional strikes on (34) and (35). As I pulled up, these latter e/a were smoking and burning. For good measure I pulled around on my 4th and final pass, putting a few more bursts into (34) and (35), which by this time were smoking badly.
I lost the rest of my flight before my first pass, so that no statements can be made by these pilots confirming my claims. However, I had plenty of opportunity to witness the results of my attacks and am certain that my claims are exact. They are as follows:
(34) 1 FW 190 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 1,230 rounds.
(35) 1 FW 190 Destroyed
(36) 1 FW 190 Damaged
WALTER T. ACHRAMOWICZ,
O-820932, 1st Lt., Air Corps.
343RD FIGHTER SQUADRON
Total Claims: 25-0-10
********
TUDOR WHITE LEADER:
Having dispensed with the blow job on Munich/Riem A/F (on separate report) and discovering that the flak was very heavy, White and Red flights of our squadron flew to a 3,000 foot altitude south of Munich, waiting for the bombers to knock out some of the flak on the A/F. While down there I observed a tug towing an He 111 south along the autobahn. He was heading for the woods, which were on both sides of the road. I noticed 75 to 100 e/a of all types dispersed in the woods on the shoulders of the autobahn. After receiving permission to shoot up a few, I called my Red flight led by Capt. Welch to set up a pattern from west to east, and then I started down. The first a/c encountered was at the south end of the woods. I got some good strikes but could start no fire; later I saw another aircraft make a pass at this e/a and set it on fire. I made a total of four passes from west to east, hitting a different target each time, all of which were parked on the west side of the road. My second pass was made on an Me 262; I observed a good concentration of hits on the a/c, and it burst into flame. The next pass was against an Me 410; there were strikes all over this a/c, and it too began to burn. On the last pass I hit an Me 410 and saw many strikes all over the a/c and a large plume of heavy black smoke rising from it, but it would not burn. As I pulled up from my last pass, I saw the He 111 with tug still attached, which had first drawn my attention to this concentration of a/c. It was sitting on the north side of the woods. I put in a short burst and received in return a nice explosion and fire on the right wing root and engine nacelle. Since I was now out of ammunition, I called the flight together and we started out.
As a result of the above strafing attacked I make the following claims:
(37) 1 Me 262 Destroyed Ammo. Expended - 1,700 round
(38) 1 Me 410 Destroyed
(39) 1 Me 410 Damaged
(40) 1 He 111 Destroyed
EDWARD B. GILLER,
O-659459, Major, Air Corps.
STATEMENT
I was flying Major Giller’s wing during all of these attacks, and I saw him get many good strikes and set fire to the two aircraft in the woods, the third aircraft, which he attacked there, was smoking heavily but did not burn. I also observed the beautiful explosion he set to the He 111 behind the tug.
ERNEST E. LEON,
O-722121, 2nd Lt., Air Corps.
********
TUDOR WHITE TWO:
I was flying Tudor White Two and followed Major Giller on all of the passes. On the first pass I picked a Ju 52 as my target. I gave it a pretty good burst and observed many strikes all over the engines and fuselage. It burst into a mighty fine fire. I wasn’t able to position myself right on the next passes and so got nothing, but on the fourth pass I got an Me 262 in my sights. I saw many strikes on it, but it wouldn’t burn. I therefore make the following claims:
(41) 1 Ju 52 Destroyed Ammo. expended: 900 rounds.
(42) 1 Me 262 Damaged
ERNEST E. LEON,
O-7221121, 2nd Lt., Air Corps.
STATEMENT
While strafing the west side of the road I noticed my wingman, Lt. Leon, strafe and set fire to one aircraft, which I could not identify. I also saw him get many strikes on another aircraft, but it would not burn.
EDWARD B. GILLER,
Major, Air Corps.
********
TUDOR WHITE THREE:
I was leading Major Giller’s second element on these attacks, but I got separated from him after about the first pass, because there were so many aircraft in the area. On this first pass, however, I managed to get quite a few strikes on an Me 410, but could not make it burn. I therefore claim:
(43) 1 Me 410 Damaged Ammo. expended: 810 rounds.
WILLIAM MEARNS, III.
O-826724, 1st Lt., Air Corps.
********
TUDOR WHITE FOUR (Claim on Munich/Riem A/D before attack on Brunnthal.
I was flying number 4 in Major Giller’s flight, on Lt. Mearn’s wing. We dropped our tanks south of Munich and took chase after a blow job. He headed for an airdrome southeast of the city. As the flight went across the airdrome I picked out a target on the ground, and Me 410, and started firing. I saw the aircraft start to burn as I went over it; I think I must have hit the gas tanks. As I pulled up I noticed a good fire and smoke coming from the aircraft on the ground, and I claim:
1 Me 410 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 920 rounds
(On Munich/Riem)
RAYMOND G. ALLEN,
O-834927, 2nd Lt., Air Corps.
STATEMENT
I was flying Red 4. We had followed White flight across the airdrome in the chase after the jet. White 4, Lt. Allen, had effectively clobbered an Me [unreadable] on his way across. The aircraft was almost entirely enveloped in flames. I confirm Lt. Allen’s claim for one Me 410 destroyed.
GUY E. ARNOLD,
2nd Lt., Air Corps.
********
TUDOR RED LEADER:
Having followed Major Giller in his chase after the jet job, we were with him when he discovered this covey of e/a in the woods. While he strafed west to east, I took my flight farther up the line and went after them from east to west. I picked out an Me 262 for my first pass and put a burst into the front; the aircraft burst into flames at once. On my second pass I chose an Me 410 to the right of the burning 262; I got a good concentration of hits on the wing roots and engines, and this aircraft also caught afire. Pulling up from this pass I hit a tree, damaging my right wing and putting my pitot tube out of commission. I circled before another pass to have my wingman, Lt. Adams, check over my ole Mustang. It seemed okay so I picked on another Me 262 farther up the road. I saw many strikes but no fire, only damaged this boy. Tudor leader then called that he was going home, but since I was positioned for another pass, I fired at another Me 410. This aircraft also burst into flames from hits on the left engine and wing root. As a result of this attack I amke the following claims:
(44) 1 Me 262 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 900 rounds
(45) 1 Me 410 Destroyed
(46) 1 Me 262 Damaged
(47) 1 Me 410 Destroyed
ROBERT E. WELCH,
O-705651, Capt., Air Corps.
STATEMENT
I was on Capt. Welch’s wing, flying line abreat but a little behind him. I was with him on each of his attacks. I saw him set fire to three separate aircraft; they almost exploded in his face.
DONALD E. ADAMS,
2nd Lt., Air Corps.
********
TUDOR RED TWO:
I was flying Tudor Red 2 on Capt. Welch’s wing when we attacked the dispersed aircraft on the autobahn. I chose an Me 410 as my target and made five passes on it from east to west. On each pass I observed many strikes, and on the 4th pass the plane was smoking. I kept after it, and on the 5th pass I fired and the aircraft seemed to smoke more. As I pulled up and to the right I looked back and saw that the plane had finally caught fire and was burning fiercely. I therefore make the following claim:
(48) 1 Me 410 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 1,700 rounds.
DONALD E. ADAMS,
O-811298, 2nd Lt., Air Corps.
STATEMENT
I saw my wingman, Lt. Adams, finally have success with his target and set it on fire on his 5th pass. I confirm the Me 410 destroyed by Lt. Adams.
ROBERT E. WELCH,
Capt., Air Corps.
********
TUDOR RED THREE:
I was flying Tudor Red 3, Capt. Welch’s element, when he made passes on the dispersed aircraft. In the melee of all of the aircraft in the area, however, my wingman and I became separated from him after the first pass. We made our passes from east to west. On the first pass I fired at an He 111; I saw many strikes on it, but the aircraft would not burn. I made two more passes and attacked respectively an Me 262 and another He 111. I got many good hits on them both and saw them start to burn. I make the following claims:
(49) 1 He 111 Damaged Ammo. expended – 1495 rounds
(50) 1 Me 262 Destroyed
(51) 1 He 111 Destroyed
HOWARD MAHANY, JR.,
O-829722, 2nd Lt., Air Corps.
STATEMENT
I was flying pretty well behind and almost in trail on Red 3, Lt. Mahany, as we attacked the dispersed aircraft. I had a pretty good view of his attacks and saw him set fire to an Me 262 and an He 111, which I confirm as destroyed by him.
GUY E. ARNOLD,
2nd Lt., Air Corps.
********
TUDOR RED FOUR:
I was flying Red 4 on Lt. Mahany’s wing. We followed Capt. Welch in to attack the dispersed aircraft. I was pretty well behind my element leader when we positioned ourselves for the attack. I picked out an Me 262 for my target; I missed it with a short burst on the first pass. I came back in on a second pass and saw strikes all over the aircraft as I fired. It burst into flames before I pulled up over it. On my third pass I fired at an Me 410; I fired a long burst and observed a heavy concentration of hits all over it, and a good fire was started as I pulled up and away from it. Capt. Welch then called us to rejoin him. I make the following claims:
(52) 1 Me 262 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 750 rounds
(53) 1 Me 410 Destroyed
GUY E. ARNOLD,
O-834931, 2nd Lt., Air Corps.
********
TUDOR YELLOW LEADER:
I was leading Yellow Section, and we took the port side of the bombers. As we neared the target, Tudor Leader and White Section left the bombers to chase a jet. After destroying the jet, Tudor Leader discovered many assorted e/a, including jets, parked along the autobahn southeast of Munich. I kept my section with the bombers until they had passed through the target. Since there was no air activity and Tudor Leader and his section were running low on ammunition. I decided to go back. My section was composed of my flight and Blue flight led by Lt. Boring. We had no trouble in finding the area because it was well marked by fires and smoke. There were about 30 to 40 fires burning when we arrived.
I looked the highway over from about 2,000 feet and found a section that had not been worked on yet. The aircraft were parked all along the highway, and there were many in the woods to the east of the road also. In many cases the aircraft were parked wing tip to wing tip, two and sometimes three together. I picked out a Ju 88 on the west side of the road, and made my pass from east to west. I observed many strikes on the aircraft and some smoke, but it did not burn, so I pulled up and made a second pass on it. I saw many more strikes all over the aircraft, and this time I saw it burn as I pulled up over the trees. I claim this Ju 88 destroyed.
I then pulled up to 1,500 feet, picked out another Ju 88, and made my pass from east to west in about a 20 degree dive. There were many strikes all over the aircraft and a small fire in the left engine which was spreading rapidly as I pulled up. I claim this Ju 88 destroyed.
Circling the road again, I picked out a S/E, which I believe to have been an Me 109. Again I made my pass from east to west, getting many strikes and starting a fire in the left wing root and belly of the fuselage. 40 mm flak caused me to break off early on this pass. I claim this Me 109 destroyed.
I circled the road again, picking out an He 111, and attacked it from east to west, getting many strikes on the fuselage and the left engine. The left landing gear collapsed, and as I pulled up, there was a good fire burning. I claim this He 111 destroyed.
Circling again I picked out another Ju 88 on which I made two passes, getting many good strikes, but could not get it to burn, although it was smoking and I saw many pieces of cowling fly off; so I left it, claiming it as damaged.
I made two more passes from east to west on another He 111, getting many strikes on the right engine, wing and fuselage. The e/a started to burn on the second pass, and I claim it as destroyed. On this last pass my tracers were comining out and only two inboard guns were firing, so I climbed to 8,000 feet, calling for my flight. I picked up my number 4 man and set course for home.
My flight got all split up during the attacks on these aircraft, and it is impossible for me to confirm the claims of anyone, since we all ended up making individual passes.
As a result of my strafing attacks I made the following claims:
(54) 1 Ju 88 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 1,660 rounds
(55) 1 Ju 88 Destroyed
(56) 1 Me 109 Destroyed
(57) 1 He 111 Destroyed
(58) 1 Ju 88 Damaged
(59) 1 He 111 Destroyed
FRANK E. BIRTCIEL,
O-746027, Capt., Air Corps.
********
TUDOR YELLOW TWO:
I was flying Yellow 2 on Capt. Birtciel’s wing as we went into the attack. However, in the melee and ensuing rat race we all got split up and made individual passes. My first target was an Me 410 at which I fired a very long burst. I observed many strikes all over the aircraft, but it would not burn. On the second pass I picked out a S/E aircraft, which I believe to have been an Me 109. I also gave this aircraft a good long burst with much better luck this time. After observing a good concentration of hits all over the aircraft, it suddenly burst into flame. As a result of this attack I claim:
(60) 1 Me 410 Damaged Ammo. expended – 1,700 rounds
(61) 1 Me 109 Destroyed
GEORGE A. APPLE,
O-834930, 2nd Lt., Air Corps.
********
TUDOR BLUE LEADER:
After the first pass on this concentration of aircraft I lost the rest of my flight in the heavy traffic. My first pass was a dry run, so I decided the best thing to do was to spot my target and set up my pattern accordingly. The first target I picked was an Me 109 on the west side of the road and well hidden. I fired a short burst into him, and he burst into flame. The next plane I chose was on the west side of the road and nearer to the edge of the woods. I made a fairly steep pass, noticing that it was an Me 410. I fired a 1 ½ to a 2-second burst and pulled up sharply to keep from ramming him. Dipping my left wing I saw that the right engine was burning. My last pass was made on an Me 109 parked near the center of the woods. I observed many strikes on the engine and canopy, but it did not burn. I therefore make the following claims:
(62) 1 Me 109 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 900 rounds
(63) 1 Me 410 Destroyed
(64) 1 Me 109 Damaged
LLOYD D. BORING,
O-720758, 1st Lt., Air Corps.
********
TUDOR BLUE TWO:
I was flying Lt. Boring’s wing as Blue 2. Due to the very heavy traffic in the area with aircraft going in all directions, I got separated from him. I made a total of six passes, but could get lined up with a target only twice because of other aircraft going through my pattern. On my third pass I picked out an Me 109 and fired a short burst at it as I pulled up over it; it started to burn fiercely. My fourth and fifth passes were dry runs, but on the sixth I was able to line up with another Me 109. I gave it a pretty good burst and saw it explode just as I pulled up over it. I make claims as follows:
(65) 1 Me 109 Destroyed Ammo. expended – 810 rounds.
(66) 1 Me 109 Destroyed
EDWARD H. GEARY,
O-830202, 2nd Lt., Air Corps.
********
TUDOR BLUE THREE:
I was flying Blue 3 as Lt. Boring’s element. We had become so separated that we were making individual patterns. I made two passes at each of two Me 410’s. I noticed a good many strikes on each aircraft but could not get them to burn. On my fifth pass I saw another Me 410 sitting at the edge of some trees; I got many hits on it and saw it start to smoke. As I pulled up I noticed that it was burning, so I made another pass taking pictures. I make the following claims:
(67) 1 Me 410 Damaged Ammo. expended – 750 rounds
(68) 1 Me 410 Damaged
(69) 1 Me 410 Destroyed
DONALD R. GIFFORD,
O-2056940, 1st Lt., Air Corps.
********
TUDOR BLUE FOUR:
2nd Lt. Richard K. Abel was flying Blue 4 on my wing. We went down together on our first pass, and as we pulled up I called up and asked him if he had gotten anything. He replied over the R/T that he had gotten one and was ready for another. That is the last that was seen or heard from him. I therefore make the following claim in his behalf:
(70) 1 U/I A/C Destroyed by
RICHARD K. ABEL (M.I.A.)
O-721932, 2nd Lt., Air Corps.
DONALD R. GIFFORD,
1st Lt., Air Corps.
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