CONFIDENTIAL
PILOT'S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat
B. 31 Dec. 1943
C. 38th Fighter squadron, 55th Fighter group
D. 1210
E. 2 miles north of "Blaye et Ste. Luce"
F. 4/10ths low cloud
G. Me109
H. Damaged
I. I was Swindle Yellow 3, led by Capt. Myers. we
went down to bounce an e/a that was attacking a B24 at about 15,000 ft. We
dropped our belly tanks and closed in from astern on the e/a. When Capt.
Myers was about 500 yds behind e/a it made a level turn to the left and Capt.
Myers followed. I called on the radio and told Capt. Myers I would head him off.
I turned inside the circle made by the e/a and fired about a 2 or 3 second burst
from about 75° head on to 90°. The e/a passed
directly through my line of fire about 200 yards away. I pulled up to an
advantageous position about the melee and watched Capt. Myers thoroughly
annihilate the E/A. The e/a was smoking very heavily and complete sections
of cowling were flying off while Capt. Myers was firing. we followed e/a
down to cloud level of about 12,000 ft.
GERALD F. LEINWEBER
1st Lt. Air Corps
CONFIDENTIAL