CONFIDENTIAL
PILOT'S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat
B. 25 February, 1944
C. 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group
D. About 1340
E. Vicinity of Augsburg
F. CAVU
G. Me410
H. Probably destroyed
I. I was leading Swindle White Flight when an Me410 was sighted
approaching the bombers from 3 o'clock high and all alone. We started over from
8 o'clock on the bombers at the same level, or about 28,000 ft. with Swindle
Yellow Flight on the right. With this turn the e/a turned away from us and
started a gradual climb, but upon our closing made a break to the right, saw
Swindle Yellow Flight and then broke back to the left in a steep diving turn
into white Flight. In the turn I fired a 2 second burst and was partially
blinded from the canopy becoming blanked out when I fired. Due to the restricted
vision I saw no strikes on the e/a, but noticed his left engine smoking on the
way down. Lt. Tipton also fired at the e/a and reported that when last sighted
the e/a was smoking badly in an almost vertical attitude. Combat ensued between
29,000 to 24,000 feet.
I claim one (1) Me410 probably destroyed.
MARK K. SHIPMAN,
Major, Air Corps.
CONFIDENTIAL