Thomas Myers

479th Fighter Group 12/05/1944


436TH FIGHTER SQUADRON

AAF STATION     F-377

APO 558               U S Army

7 Dec 1944

ENCOUNTER RPT

A.  Bomber Escort

B.  5 Dec 44

C.  436th Ftr Sqdn – 479th Ftr Gp

D.  1040 to 1100 hours

E.  N Berlin (app 20 miles)

F.  9-10/10ths coverage at 10,000 ft – broken decks above

G.  FW 190 & ME 109

H.  FW 190 destroyed (AIR) shared with Lt Peter C. Vassuer

ME 109 damaged (AIR)

I.  NARRATIVE:

I had been leading Bison Red Flight but after the two aborts I sent my number 2 man to join White Flight and I joined Yellow Flight.  When the box of bombers we were with were over the target I called in a fight at 9 o’clock to the bombers, and after a minute or two we went over that way.  I spotted an FW 190 in a “split S” so I peeled down and went after him.  I started firing at 600 yards closing to 100 yards and observed many hits on his wings and fuselage.  He started burning fiercely and I over ran him into the clouds and broke out over the outskirts of Berlin at approx 8,000 feet.  I then pulled up through the overcast.  My wing-man lost me when I went into the clouds and I joined F/O Joseph who took my wing and we stooged around.  We found a B-17 25 miles NW Berlin with men bailing out so we stayed with it until six of them were clear the ship.  The ship then went into a tight spiral.  We were at 14,000 feet when Joseph called in bogies at 9 o’clock.  We went to investigate and one split “S’d” and another went under us.  I went after the high one and called in upon making positive identification that it was an ME 109.  The 109 peeled off to the left and I followed firing as best I could.  The bandit went straight down, with me about 50 to 30 yards behind.  He was taking violent evasive action, but I got a few hits on him before he went through the overcast.  F/O Joseph was on my Wing all this time.

I expended 396 rounds of API .50 cal ammunition.

I claim:  1-0-0 FW 190 AIR (shared with Lt Peter C. Vassuer)

0-0-1 ME 109 AIR

THOMAS E. MYERS,

1st Lt., Air Corps.

 

I certify that the action concerning the ME 109 was observed and is confirmed by the undersigned.

GEORGE JOSEPH,

F/O, Air Corps

 

I certify that the action concerning the FW 190 was observed and is confirmed by the undersigned.

PETER C. VASSUER,

2nd Lt, Air Corps


Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Thomas Myers of the 479th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Thomas Myers's combat experience.


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