359th Fighter Group 12/23/1944
PILOT’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat.
B. 23 December, 1944.
C. 368th Fitr Sq, 359th Fitr Gp.
D. 1225.
E. Vicinity of Koblenz.
F. Cirro stratus at 25,000 ft.; 5/10 cumulus at
2,000 ft.
G. ME 109.
H. One ME 109 destroyed
I. I was leading Handy White Flight at 27,000 ft. when the Controller called Chairman and said that our Big Friends were at 10 and 11 o’clock. While heading toward them Controller said that Vinegrove 3 – 1 had made contact with Bandits which were coming up from below, so I let down to 24,000 ft. As I approached Big Friends I observed a straggling B-17 being attacked by a ME 109 from 8 o’clock level. As I turned to attack, another 109 suddenly appeared from behind us and flew directly under us. 1st Lt. Emery C. Cook, who at that time was flying on my wing, engaged this one and I continued after the first one we had seen. Mine made a shallow dive then a steep climbing turn. I fired at about 100 yards and missed, but scared the 109 so that he tightened up his turn enough to move the gyro sight off the glass. After about three turns I was closed to 25 – 50 yards, fired and observed strikes on tail, up the fuselage and into the cockpit. Pieces flew off and he fell smoking into a vertical dive, crashing into the ground. The pilot did not get out. I was wearing a “G” suit, and was very pleased with its operation.
I claim one ME 109 destroyed.
J. Serial No. of A/C: 4769.
A/C markings: CV A
Ammunition Expended: 473 rds API.
ROBERT E. BENEFIEL,
1st Lt., Air Corps.
L. M. STACKLER
1st Lt., Air Corps,
Intelligence Officer.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Robert Benefiel of the 359th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Robert Benefiel's combat experience.
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