Robert Sedman

A . C ombat . B . 30 - 1 -44 ,

F. O. 227 C . 374th Fighter Squadron . D . 1 13 0 - 1145 E . Rheine Area F . Light overcast 1/10,000 Ft and 2 9 ,000 F t . G . ME 109 G H . 2 - 1 ME109 G probably destroyed ; 1 ME109G destroyed. I . I was leading Hubbard Red Flight in the Rheine Area at 25,000 ft orbiting right in search of bombers. Contrails were reported above. We watched contrails pass over us and went into left Lufberry. At this time 25 ME109G's attacked out of the sun from 30,000 ft. coming down from all directions. One E/A approached my flight from 1 o'clock out of range, but I turned into him and gave him a short burst to check my guns. At this time E/A was reported by my wing man (Lt. Lederer) to be attacking Yellow Flight from dead astern at 200 yds. I broke on the E/A's tail causing him to break off straight down. I did a violent push-over and followed E/A down. At about 15,000 ft. I opened fire at extreme range and closed to approximately 350 yds., observing hits at wing roots and fuselage. I leveled off at 2,000 ft and observed E/A passing under my wing going straight down, presumable out of control. I claim this ME109G as a Probable Destroyed. I zoomed back up to 11,000 feet, noticing several friendly A/C in the vicinity. I attempted by R/T to reform my flight and four A/C formed on my wing at 12 ,000 ft. I was watching an E/A 3,000 ft below at 11 o'clock when another E/A attacked from 2 o'clock above, overshooting and allowing me to turn in on his tail. I opened fire at 700 yds , closing to 150 yds, observing many hits in the fuselage and wing roots. As I broke right and up I flew through pieces from E/A, one of which punched a hole in my engine cowling. The E/A fell off into a diving left turn and the pilot was observed to bail out, and I claim this ME 109G Destroyed. At this time I was immediately called by my wing man (Lt. LEDERER) to cover his tail as he was attacking another E/A. I observed Lt. LEDERER getting strikes on the lower part of the fuselage near the wing. J. Approximately 1, 000 rounds ammunition expended.