Paul Conger

a . C ombat (air) b . 1 2 May , 1944 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron , 56th Fighter Group d . 1 1 40 hours e . North of Marburg f . Hazy g . Me-109, FW-190 's h . 2 FW-190 's d estroyed , 1 FW-190 damaged

i. As Whippet leader flying to the left of Fairbanks we arrived at our Col. Zemke's fan point (5 miles south of Coblenz) at 1125 , then dispersing on to our separate flight vectors, mine which was 65 o . After flying that for 15 minutes, angels 23,000, 40+ bandits in tight formation at 20,000 flying in a large 10 mile orbit toward Marburg were seen. I tried to position my 3 ship flight for a sneak attack. While doing so we were attacked by 4 FW-190's from above. We broke, turned 3 6 0 o and then broke off the attack. I continued to follow the 40+ bandits at 3,000 ft . adv antage in altitude. Two FW-190's were straggling so I made my pass downward. Afraid of our tail and the enemy flipping for a dive I opened fire at 800 yards on the number 2 man of the element scoring many hits on the fuselage and both wings. Small pieces flew off of the right wing and he went into a shallow turn to the right with light smoke trailing and then bailed out. I was closing slowly. The element leader was still a beautiful target. I opened fire on him at 500 yards firing long bursts. I saw hits on the wings and fuselage. The second long burst at 300 yards hit his tank and all hell exploded in my face. Flames and oil were all around me as I flew through the explosion. The large tight formation still continued their large orbit in a dispersed manner. I regained a few thousand feet. Getting my flight to make a line abreast attack the next time as we began our pass, the top squadron of 20+ dropped their belly tanks. I gave a spurt and I saw strikes on one more FW-190 when my ammunition was expended. It would have been a picnic if we could have had a larger force. I claim 2 FW-190 d estroyed and 1 FW-190 damaged .