VERNON BURROUGHS

B . 11 February , 194 4 C . 3 5 7 t h F i gh t e r Sq uadron D . 11:25 E . In vicinity of Rhine River, South of Koln F . 8/10's coverage of cumulus with tops to 3000 feet, 8/10's at 8000 feet. G . FW 190 and M E 109 H . 1 FW 190 destroyed and 1 M E 109 d amaged I . ACCOUNT OF COMBAT: I was flying Blowball Red 2 at 25,000 feet when we spotted 3 ME 109's at 20,000 feet climbing up on the last box of bombers. My Flight Leader, Major Szaniawski , started a spiral dive to the left to intercept them. We were cut off by Yellow nose group of P-47's and the 3 E/A broke up. We took the closest one and followed him down and lost him in the clouds. He made a gentle turn to the left and I spotted an FW 190 flying through a hole in the clouds and called it to my Flight Leader who attacked. The E/A was flying below us and away from us and we attacked from dead astern. Major Szaniawski held his fire until he closed to 250 yards, when he opened fire and I observed hits on the E/A. Major Szaniawski overshot and pulled up in a left climbing turn; the E/A looked as if it would follow him as I opened fire at 300 yards from dead astern. I immediately saw hits on the fuselage, wing roots, rocket positions, tail and the belly tank blew up. I overshot him and pulled up in a zoom, rolled over and looked down and saw the E/A enveloped in fire, on his back and going down in an uncontrolled slip. I was at 3,500 feet and the E/A was at 2,000 feet in this position. I claim 1 FW 190 destroyed. Major S zaniawski and I re-formed, line abreast and started a circle, looking for other aircraft; seeing none, we started home at 5,000 feet. I spotted an ME 109 flying behind us and at our altitude on our right. I was flying on the right and changed to the left to be in position for firing. I notified Major Szaniawski of the the E/A and its position; he made a 30 degree turn to the right, then the E/A identified us and made a left diving turn, leaving the Major Szaniawski a 45 degree deflection shot in a steep bank. I observed hits on the wings and fuselage and as the E/A passed under me, I did a vertical barrel roll and fired a long burst at 100 yards, closing to 25 yards and saw hits on the imponage . The E/A was already smoking badly and was on fire . The E/A was attacked at 2500 feet and was last seen by me, on fire, going straight down on one wing at about 2,000 feet. We did not observe it hit the ground as another ME 109 was following us during this attack. I claim one damaged ME 109. After I withdrew from the attack, I rejoined the Major and we came home.