CONFIDENTIAL
PILOT'S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat.
B. 31 January 1944.
C. 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.
D. 1535.
E. Kessel.
F. 1/10 low clouds and haze.
G. Me 109.
H. No claim, pending assessment of combat film.
I. I was leading the first two ships of Swindle Red Flight, having
become separated from my second element, when I saw a four ship flight of P-38’s
turn left 4,000 feet above. At the time I was flying at 25,000 to 27,000 feet, a
few miles north of Venlo. Apparently unseen by the P-38’s, a lone Me 109 was
climbing up through the vapour trails for an attack from below. About the time I
made my bounce, I noticed two pieces fall off the canopy of the last plane in
the P-38 flight, apparently the result of the enemy aircrafts fire. I pulled up
and at 300 to 400 yards opened fire, holding it until my ship stalled out and
spun. After a few moments I looked below and saw an Me 109, 3000 feet below in
an uncontrollable dive, then a great ball of flame shot from the enemy aircraft
and when last seen its engine and left wing were ablaze. I make no claim pending
assessment of the film.
JERRY H. AYERS,
Captain, Air Corps.
CONFIDENTIAL