CONFIDENTIAL

PILOT'S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT

A. Engagement.
B. 4 March 1944.
C. 338th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.
D. 1340.
E. Over Zuider Zee.
F. About 7/10ths low cumulus, tops at 6,000 to 7,000 ft.
G. Me 109.
H. None.
I.  I was escorting Lt. Odegard, who had returned early from the mission with oxygen regulator trouble. Lt. Burns, who also was having mechanical trouble, and Lt. Buskirk made up the second element of a four ship flight. We sighted two Me 109's 1,000 feet below us and dove on them from about 1,500 yards following the one which turned north. I opened fire at about 800 yards, 30° deflection and closed to 600 yards, 20° deflection. We followed the E/A to 10,000 feet where we had to pull out of our dive. I thought I saw pieces fall off the E/A from Lt. Odegard's first burst, but it probably was the E/A dropping his belly tank. No other close results were observed.

ROBERT K. FRUH,
2nd Lt., Air Corps.
 

CONFIDENTIAL

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