(1 Bf 109 destroyed)

 

 

I was Red 1 leading 222 Squadron. On outward leg my No.3 reported an Arado 234 and I saw enemy aircraft below me passing starboard to port under Yellow section. I was flying at 5,000 feet, 5 miles East of Lingen. Yellow section went down to attack and I stayed up to cover them. A few moments later I heard Yellow 1 report enemy aircraft above and I saw at 8,000 feet, through break in cloud, 12 plus Me109's approaching us. I climbed, turning to port and when at 1,300 feet below enemy aircraft they saw me and turned in. Continuing turning I engaged at 8,000 feet with six enemy aircraft. I got on the tail of one enemy aircraft who climbed up sun, I followed and fired at 200 yards, 15 degrees deflection as he turned to port. He dived smoking and caught on fire. My number 2, F/Sgt Salter saw it explode on the ground. I broke to engage two enemy aircraft and three enemy aircraft joined on the tail of Red 3 and 4. We split in pairs and we were dogfighting for four minutes. Then Red 3 (F/L Berg) climbed in between the two enemy aircraft and shot the leader down in flames. The second enemy aircraft dived, I followed it and while diving down saw two more Ar 234's going North at 500 feet. I chased them, at 700 yards I was able to hold on for three minutes at 450 mph, but could not close in. I fired two short bursts at extreme range to see what action he would take. He continued on the same course, he flew over wood which I avoided suspecting flak, which turned out to be intense accurate light. He turned to go over the same wood and I gave up the pursuit. I climbed to 4,000 feet and circled German parachute, three ME109's came in as though protecting it, while coming on the tail of the last enemy aircraft a Spitfire dived through cloud and shot third Me109 down in flames. The remaining two enemy aircraft dived to deck and made off. I returned to base.

 

F/L L.McAuliffe