(1 Messerschmitt Bf109G destroyed)

 

I was leading the Newchurch Tempest Wing on a fighter sweep on the Caen area of the beachhead via Rouen, Bernay and Argentan. We took off from Newchurch at 12.25 hours, and crossed the French coast at Pte d'Ally at 10000 ft. When we were a few miles to the West of Rouen at 12.50 hours over scattered cloud, I saw five aircraft in line astern at about 6000 ft, turning from East to North. Leaving 486 (NZ) Squadron up above as top cover, I took No. 3 Squadron do investigate.

I closed in behind the aircraft at 470 IAS and recognised them as Me-109Gs. They were travelling at approximately 300 mph and did not realise they were being bounced until just before I had opened fire, when the e/a broke to port and dived for cloud with violent evasive action. I selected the fourth or last e/a, I am not sure which, and opened fire with a 2/3 second burst, starting with 30 degrees deflection, and changing according to the e/a's evasive action.

I opened fire at about 500 yards range closing to point blank, and saw strikes at the end of the burst on the starboard side of the fuselage. The e/a immediately poured smoke and flames. I had to break to starboard in order to avoid collision and then to port when I saw clearly the e/a enveloped in flames in an inverted dive. I broke to starboard as I finished my attack and heard a loud bang and saw a strike om my starboard wing. My No 2 who subsequently saw my e/a disintegrate and the starboard wing broke off, saw two Me-109s diving down out of sun at him and myself. My u/c warning lights went on so I handed over to S/Ldr Dredge of No. 3 Squadron, and set course for base where I landed at 13.30 hours. The aircraft I destroyed was camouflaged mottled chocolate and brown and no national markings were visible.

I claim one Me-109G destroyed.
Rounds fired: 60 rounds 20mm each gun HE1 and SAP1. No stoppages.

 

W/C Roland Beamont

 

 

Text source:
Tempest over Europe (Roland Beamont)