WILLIAM O'REGAN

A . Combat . B . 1 2 August 1943. C . 3 3 4th F i gh t e r Sq uadron . D . 09 3 0 hours . E . 1 5 miles east of Sittard . F . G ood. G . Me 1 0 9 G . H . 1 Me 1 0 9G D estroyed . 1 Me 109G Damaged. I . I was leading Pecktin Blue section. We were bottom squadron of the Fourth Fighter Group, which was withdrawal cover for Fortresses. About 15 miles east of Sittard , shortly after rendezvousing above the Fortresses at 28,000 feet, Pecktin Blue and Green sections were ordered by the Group leader to attack about 12 Me 109G's which were flying about two miles off of the port side of the Fortresses. When this order was given we were headed in an easterly direction, and the 109's were ahead of us, coming head-on and parallel to the Fortresses at about 25,000 feet. Four 109's in the lead flicked to their port and half-rolled away. I made a diving turn to port coming down behind 6 109's, but they made a sharp turn to port before I could getinto range. I then noticed two 109's in port echelon formation about 1000 feet below, flying parallel to the Fortresses and in the same direction. My number two (F/O Megura ) and I attacked them from astern. I fired a one-second burst at 250 yards at the port 109 and black and white smoke belched from around the engine. I fired another two-second burst from 200 yards, and another one-second burst from 100 yards. After the first burst, the e/a made a gentle port dive and after the second burst flames appeared underneath the engine. My number two saw him going down enveloped in black smoke and flames. I claim this e/a as destroyed. I then attacked the other 109 from astern. I fired a 1 ½ second burst at 300 yards and saw strikes behind the cockpit. He then started to turn to port and I fired another two second burst from 30 degrees astern. He then flicked to port and half-rolled back into Germany. My number two noticed this 109's prop was windmilling and he was leaving a thin trail of black smoke, which appeared to become thicker as the e/a dived. I claim this e/a as damaged . We were then at 23,000 feet and climbed to the starboard side of the Fortresses as previously instructed. My number two provided me with perfect cover throughout the entire operation. I noticed that these Me 109G 's had a very fast rate of roll to port.