Robert Rankin

2nd Lt. Robert J. Rankin Halstead White T wo a . Combat b . 6 February, 1944 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron , 56th Group d . 1 12 5 hours e . Paris area f . 8/10 overcast at 5,000 . CAVU above that. g . Me-109 h . One Me-109 destroyed i . I was fly ing H alstead White 2 with Capt. Lamb leading the flight . Around 1045 we saw 6 109's attacking a formation of B-17's. Capt. Lamb attacked the leading 109. I observed many hits, then it rolled and went straight down through the overcast. I saw two 109's firing at Capt. Lamb and made a feint into these two and they broke away. This was about 6,000 ft. I was 500 ft. above these two and a little to the left of them. Later, around 1120, we started an attack on 4 109's. My radio was completely out but I saw Capt. Lamb breaking off his attack. As we broke off I could see more 109's up above us. Capt. Lamb broke right up sun, but three P-47's passed in between us and I was forced to break right. When I was climbing up to the left I saw two Me-109's around 9,000 ft. and attacked one of these. I started firing around 700 yds at 8,000 ft. I wasn't giving proper lead so I continued giving short bursts until I was about 200 yds at 5,000 ft. I first saw two hits on the right wing. Then, giving a little more pressure on the left rudder, I observed many hits on the canopy, both wings and engine. At this point the enemy 109 was just getting into the overcast which was broken. He rolled very slowly and headed straight into the deck where I saw him hit the ground and explode. The Me-109 landed within the city limits of Paris. I immediately gave my engine everything it had and climbed for altitude with flak popping all around. I saw two more 109's going down as I was climbing, but did not have enough fuel to make an attack. I was alone until I was approximately 20 miles from landfall out where I joined up with 5 P-47's from the 62nd squadron, 56th Group, and came out with them and landed at an advanced base at 1230 hours. I claim one Me-109 d estroyed . j. 11 4 7 rds .50 cal A.P.I.