Vance Ludwig

A. Combat

b. 4 October 1943

c. 63rd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group

d. 1132-1140 hour

e. East of Duren

f. Clear over combat area

g. Me 110

h. 3 Me 110's destroyed.

i. As Postgate White 3, I was flying second element on we were at approximately 28,000 feet. Major Schilling turned for the 2nd group of bombers and upon arriving there we saw approximately 20 Me 110's, at 6 o'clock to the bombers 5,000 feet below. The major peeled off sharply. I followed and fired at a blue-green Me 110,(Est. I.A.S. 190 m.p.h.), ending up dead astern. His right engine smoked, burst into flame and he ente red a slight diving turn to the right. (See supporting statements of Lts. Wisniswski and Smith). I pulled up sharply to the left into the sun, picked out a 2nd darker colored Me 110 and throttle completely back dove at him, closing slowly from dead aster n to approximately 150 yards. (His I.A.S. 180 m.p.h.). He broke sharp right but I was able to pull 1½ rings deflection on him. His right motor burst into flames, he rolled onto his back and dove straight down. I followed and fired a second burst obser ving further hits. (See supporting statements of Major shilling and Lt. Wisniewski ). I was at approximately 15,000 feet, close to the bombers and broke sharply to the left up into the sun. I saw two Me 110's flying straight and level parallel to the le ft of the bombers (I.A.S. 190 m.p.h.). I throttled back closed slowly on the right one, directing Lt. Wisniewski to fire on the left one. I experienced return fire above me and dropped lower so that the rear gunner could not depress his guns to follow me . I fired approximately 3 seconds from dead astern and observed strikes over fuselage and right wing and the right engine caught fire. The plane snapped viciously onto its back and went straight down burning. (See supporting statements of Lt. Wisniewski ). I pulled up to left and observed a P-47 firing on a Me 110 painted overall with foot-square black and white checkers. The right engine burst into flames and it snapped viciously to the right./ Lt. Wisniewski followed me closely throughout and accompa nied me as we rejoined Major Schilling above the bombers. I was hit by a 50 caliber shell at a time unknown to me. A two inch hole perforated my left horizontal stabilizer. I claim three Me 110's destroyed. VANCE P. LUDWIG. 1st Lt., Air Corps.