(1 Bf 109 destroyed)

 

 

 

I was leading the Squadron (6 a/c) on an armed recce (short range) behind Osnabruck & Munster. When over Rheine A/D at 9,500 feet, 20+ E/A were reported at about 1,000 ft orbiting Rheine as though preparing to land. At the same time I saw another 20+ at about 11,000 ft crossing from Starboard to Port at right angles to our course. I recognized them as 109’s with belly tanks. I led the Squadron in a steep climbing turn to Port coming into line astern on the Hun formation as they broke sharply Port. I got onto the tail of a 109 and gave a very short full deflection burst which hit the E/A in the cockpit and wings. The L/R tank blew up and the E/A spun down out of control. I saw it crash and burst into flames just North of Rheine A/D. The leader of the formation was turning inside me by this time and I was unable to shake him off in two turns so I pulled the stick back, put on full top rudder and flicked out then aileroned down until I had 400 I.A.S. straightened out diving to 580 I.A.S. and then pulled vertically up again to about 10,000 ft. I was hit in the Starboard ammo containers which jammed my ailerons so I reformed the Squadron and returned to base.
     

I claim 1 Me.109 destroyed.

 

S/L A.E. Umbers