CONFIDENTIAL
PILOT'S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat.
B. 5 Nov. 1943
C. 38th Ftr. Squadron - 55th Ftr. group.
D. Approximately 1400
E. Area of Munster
F. CAVU
G. DO-217
H. One (1) DO-217 damaged.
I. I was flying 4th man in the Flight, Capt. Ayers was leading, a flight
that went down to bounce a DO-217 which was firing rockets at the rear of the
bomber formations. Our Flight broke into the sun after leader had made
attack because E/A were approaching us at 6 o'clock. I lost track of my
flight and while trying to join a single ship to my right, saw one DO-217
approaching me from 6 o'clock. I continued my climbing turn to the right
and met DO-217 at about 30° deflection head on.
I opened fire at about 400 yds. and continued to fire until I had passed from
30° head-on through 90° to nearly dead astern, all the while closing to about 20
yards astern. I passed behind E/A and swung wide to his left, looked
behind me, fell back astern of E/A closed to about 400 yards and fired about a 3
second burst. I broke away in a climbing turn to the left and joined a
single ship.
DELORN L. STEINER
2nd Lt. Air Corps
CONFIDENTIAL