Robert Johnson

a . Combat b . 1 9 August , 1943 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron , 56 th Group d . 1802 hrs e . North East of Woensdrecht about 23,000 feet f . H azy g . M E -109 h . One M E -109 destr oyed i . I was fly ing Keyworth Blue two . We were a little bit east and north of Woensdrecht when four ME-109's came in at us from the same level, about 25,000 feet, from about 5 o'clock. We had not quite reached the bombers. My leader turned left and pulled it slightly up. We made a 360 o turn and came in at the ME-109's from about 7 o'clock to them. They had not turned from their original track, evidently thinking we were scared completely off. When they saw us coming in they rolled over and went in different directions but kept their altitude. One, the leader pulled to the left and started climbing. Captain Johnson, my leader had begun to turn left after him. I followed slightly below my leader and not 25 yards behind him. Captain Johnson let a burst go and the ME-109 immediately broke right and spun. I was in good position then and fired at him in the slow spin. I saw strikes and smoke began to com e from him. He pulled out of the spin and started straight down. Captain Johnson had pulled up and I thought he watching it and my tail so I rolled over and going straight down on his tail I opened up again. Strikes were seen all over him and very much more smoke poured out. I tried to pull out as he went slightly to the left in a steep dive. I was gaining speed rapidly and my ship shuddered all over. As I finally pulled it out at from 12,000 to 15 ,000 feet I saw the pilot, also being in a very shallow dive, roll on his side and a chute opened. The ME-109 then plowed into the ground and I returned to the P-47's above the bombers. I claim one M E -109 d estroyed .