WWII Pilot Combat Report - VIRGIL MERONEY

VIRGIL MERONEY

352th Fighter Group 02/10/1944

ENCOUNTER REPORT Combat 10 February 1 94 4 487 th Fighter Squadron 1 115 Hengelo, Holland at 24,000 ft. Clear ME 109 1 ME 109 dest royed

Narrative: L ead ing Crown Prince White Flight at 24,000 ft., after the Group Leader ordered everyone out, my flight was south of the bomber track when I spotted a single contrail ahead. We followed him as he was on a heading the same as ours. He made a 180 0 turn, and as we closed he went into a dive and I definitely identified him as a ME 109. I did a split S onto his tail and as I closed to 300 yds, he chopped his throttle and did a tight climbing turn. I was unable to get enough deflection so I pulled up and away. My wingman tried a pass then but had the same trouble I did. I was then able to make another pass and fired a short burst at (30 0 deflection, 300 yds. range, and one long burst) 0 0 to 10 0 and 200 yds. On the second burst I observed hits all over the right wing, cockpit and fuselage, and the e/a burst into flames. I watched him as he spun down, crashed and exploded. When I broke off my attack I was at 10,000 ft. My wingman, Lt Ross, stayed with me at all times and so did my Number 3 & 4, Lts Palmer & Nutter at 2.000' to 3,000' above me all the time. We climbed back up to 26,000 ft. and returned home. 1 ME 109 destroyed .

J. A/C Ser No. A/C Markings Ammo Exp 4 2 - 847 3 HO - V 452 Inc V I RGIL K. MERONEY , 1 st Lt. , A C 487 th Fighter Sqdn . DARRELL H. HAMRIC Capt. , A C S-2 Officer A TRUE COPY: GERALD F. COSTELLO, Captain, Air Corps, Asst. A-2, 67 th FW. (D- 3 )

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by VIRGIL MERONEY of the 352th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of VIRGIL MERONEY's combat experience.

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