4th Fighter Group 01/31/1944
HEADQUARTERS
FOURTH FIGHTER GROUP
A.P.O. 637 U.S. ARMY
PILOTS PERSONAL COMBAT REPORT
VIII Fighter Command F.O. ---
Sixty-Fifth Fighter Wing F.O. 85
(A) Combat
(B) 31 January, 44
(C) 335th Fighter Squadron
(D) 1515 hours
(E) Overflakkee Island Area
(F) Thin haze
(G) Me-109F
(H) One Me-109F Destroyed
(I) Greenbelt Green and Blue Sections were detailed to cover Greenbelt White and Red Sections on a dive-bombing mission. After the bombs were dropped several Me-109’s came in from the North and were engaged by the covering sections of Pecton Squadron. We made an orbit over the target and tried to make contact with Pecton. As we started out several A/C were reported behind us. We thought they were Pecton and orbited to join up. They turned out to be all Me-109F’s, about six or eight in number. We engaged them immediately and three of them dived for the deck. I attacked one and made several head on passes at him but could not get a shot. I then saw a Me-109 attack a P-47 at about 18-20,000 feet and then dive for the deck in a northerly direction. I attacked this E/A and closed to about 500 yards at about 8,000 feet and gave him a two second burst, missing due to insufficient deflection. I was indicating over 500 m.p.h. and closed rapidly, giving him another burst. After this I saw strikes along the port wing root, engine and cockpit. I continued to fire, using 585 rounds of ammunition. The E/A started to burn and the left wing looked as if it were buckling. A lot of stuff flew off the Enemy A/C coming from around the engine. The E/A half rolled to the left at about 800 feet and crashed in flames. I saw him burning on the mud flats. Lt. Manning, who was flying Green 3, covered me throughout this attack. He saw the 109 in flames and Lt. Carlson (336 Sqdn.) saw him burning on the ground. Lt. Rowles (335 Sqdn.) was flying the P-47 that the Me-109 was attacking. I don’t think the Jerry ever saw me. I claim One Me-109F Destroyed.
A/C Used: P-47D 1RE, 42-7968
Ammunition Used: 585 rnds. 50 Cal. API & T
PAUL M. ELLINGTON,
1st Lt., Air Corps.
WITNESS:
I was flying about 1,000 feet behind Lt. Ellington during the above described combat, and saw strikes on E/A around the wing roots and cockpit. The E/A burst into flames and half rolled at 800 feet and was heading down burning when last seen.
CECIL E. MANNING,
2nd Lt., Air Corps
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Paul Ellington of the 4th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Paul Ellington's combat experience.
Paul Ellington: Personnel File
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