Robert Landry

a . Combat b . 11 December 1943 c . 6 3rd Fighter Squadron , 56th Fighter Group d . 1 22 5 hours e . Northeast of Emden f . 3 /10 cloud condition existed g . M E 109 h . 1 ME 109 destroyed i . I was Postgate Leader, flying with four ships of Postgate White Flight. Due to previous interception by enemy aircraft, other Postgate flights had become separated from my flight and made rendezvous with bombers separately. At approximately 1220 to 1225 hours, just northeast of Emden, flying at approximately 30,000 feet, I observed six enemy aircraft which appeared to be 190's and 109's. These enemy aircraft were about the bomber level and on their right flank, approximately opposite the second box of bombers. I maneuvered and started to bounce from out of the sun, but was not in the correct position to shoot, so I pulled back up to approximately 29,000 feet. I circled to get into position up sun and made a second bounce on the enemy aircraft, which were approximately 24,000 feet still on the right side of the bombers and headed towards them in a general climb. My second element stayed up to cover me as I made the bounce. The enemy aircraft were flying with four aircraft ahead and two aircraft in trail and abreast. I fired on the left aircraft of the two in trail from approximately four hundred yards with a short squirt to check my aim. I saw strikes and withheld fire until approximately two or three hundred yards, when I opened fire again. Enemy aircraft was skidding violently as evasive action, but I was close enough that it made little or no difference. The enemy aircraft appeared to be a 109 carrying a tank under its belly or a rocket container. The enemy aircraft appeared to be hit by most of my fire and strikes were seen over the entire aircraft. It began to trail glycol and smoke and as I pulled away, small objects were seen to fall off the airplane, which at that time was secured by smoke and flame. I reformed my flight and started to go out to the head of the bombers, which had just passed Emden. As we swung over the top of the bombers, I saw a ME 210 at about 22,000 feet. I bounced with my element, the second element covering. The enemy aircraft apparently saw my flight and immediately dove for the deck in all sort of violent maneuvers. I was going so fast that I was unable to get into firing position and overshot. At 19,000 feet it was obvious that I could not get into position without loosing another five or ten thousand feet, and I pulled back up to the bombers with my flight. About this time Lt. Schiltz , leading the second element spotted a 110 and with his wingman went over to attack and shot the enemy aircraft down. I did not observe this action. I claim one M E 109 destroyed.