CONFIDENTIAL
PILOT'S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat.
B. 13 September 1944.
C. 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.
D. 1230.
E. Vicinity of Erfurt.
F. Unlimited visability (sic), scattered middle cloud.
G. Me 109.
H. One (1) Me109 destroyed.
I. I was leading Red Flight in Hellcat Squadron at 22,000 feet in the vicinity
of Erfurt when bandits were called in by Tudor Squadron at 6 o'clock. When
we turned back and reached the area, Tudor was already engaged and a top cover
force of about eight Me 109's came in on us. We were then at about 27,000
feet. As they chandelled up and turned to the right I got on the tail of
one, and as he split-essed I followed him down to tree top level. On the
way down the Jerry took violent evasive action and I expended all my
ammunition at from 600 to 100 yards, 20 degrees to zero deflection.
Intermittently I saw strikes all over his plane. After reaching about 1000
feet I could see that the E/A was badly shot up and it appeared difficult to
control. The pilot bailed out and I saw the Me 109 crash into the ground
and explode. I then took pictures of the pilot in his parachute. As
a result of this combat I claim 1 Me109 destroyed.
McCAULEY CLARK
Capt. - Air Corps
CONFIDENTIAL