WWII Pilot Combat Report - Nicholas Megura

Nicholas Megura

4th Fighter Group 03/18/1944

Confidential Headquarters Fourth Fighter Group A.P.O. 637 U.S. Army Pilot's Personal Combat Report VIII Fighter Command F.O. 273

Combat 18 Mar 44 334 Fighter Squadron 1335 hours S.E. Mannheim area Poor visibility Me 109 1 Me 109 Destroyed I was flying Pectin Blue #3 position, S.E. Mannheim before R/V. Nine plus a/c were reported at 3 o'clock and below. Pectin Blue Flight went down to investigate and identified them as Me 109s. We were overtaking them very rapidly although we still had out wing tanks on. Closed in on a 109 on the port side of their formation , an intrepid type, off to the starboard, tried to position himself on us. I gave the chap I tacked onto, a squirt out of range, no strikes seen. Opened fire within range and c losed fast – strikes were seen on his port wing and pieces were falling off. Made a slight change in my deflection, saw strikes all over the fuselage, engine, etc. Flames were seen coming out below the engine, had to skid aside for fear of a collision. The plane seemed to stagger, flipped over on its back and started down, gushing flame and black smoke. Just before he hit the cloud his belly tank exploded . I pushed everything to the firewall and climbed up among 'Upper' squadron with my wing tanks still in intact. Off to the side and 4,000 feet below, I saw two Me 109s and opened fire, but couldn't turn tight enough, so I didn't have any choice, so dropped my wing tanks. Started to fire as he disappeared under my nose, kept firing increasing deflection. Did a skidding roll off to the side but the Huns were diving to the clouds. With my tanks gone, I couldn't continue on with the show, so went home with a few others who were in the same predicament.

Ammunition Nicholas Megura 500 rounds fired 1 st Lt., Air Corps. Confirmation After breaking off my engagement with the 109, I looked to my starboard and saw Pectin Blue #3 (Lt. Megura ) clobbering the 109 who immediately broke into a mass of flames. This 109 fluttered down with flames and black smoke trailing it.

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Nicholas Megura of the 4th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Nicholas Megura's combat experience.

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