CONFIDENTIAL
PILOT'S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat
B. 24 March 1945
C. 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group
D. Approximately 1600.
E. About 5 miles south of Soest.
F. CAVU.
G. Me 109.
H. One Me 109 Destroyed (Shared with Lt. H.B. Mooers).
I. I was leading Hellcat Squadron on a patrol in the Soest area when Yellow
Leader engaged a flight of three Me 109's. I turned and headed north at
3,00 feet to assist him, as he was apparently having some trouble with the E/A.
when I arrived on the scene Yellow Leader was in a turn tot he right with a Me
109 on his tail. I positioned myself behind the Jerry and commenced firing
at 300 yards, observing many strikes on his canopy and wing roots. As I
closed to 50 yards, firing all the time, pieces broke off the E/A and it was
smoking badly from the wing roots. Then he began to fall off to the right
so I broke up and over him. As the 109 rolled over on its back, the pilot
jumped and I saw his chute open and the E/A crash and burn. Combat took
place at 3,000 feet to the deck. Since Lt. Mooers, White 3, also got hits
on teh E/A, I claim one Me 109 destroyed, to be shared with Lt. H.B. Mooers.
J. Ammunition expended - 900 rounds.
DONALD M. CUMMINGS, 0-667803
Captain, Air Corps.
STATEMENT
I was flying White 4 position in the personal encounter report described above
and I can certify that I saw Captain Cummings and Lt. H.B. Mooers engage and
destroy one Me 109 out of which the pilot bailed and the ship itself crashed in
a field.
ROGER B. MOOERS, 0-708740
1st Lieut., Air Corps.
CONFIDENTIAL