CONFIDENTIAL
PILOT'S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat.
B. 7 April 1945
C. 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.
D. 1300.
E. Vicinity of Celle, Germany.
F. 7/10ths at 4,000 feet.
G. Me109
H. One (1) Me109 destroyed.
I. I was leading Program Squadron and giving close support to my assigned box of
bombers in the vicinity of Celle when a single Me109 approached the box from 8
o'clock a little high. We were flying at 20,000 feet at the time, about
3,000 feet above the bombers. I immediately started to head off the
aircraft and give him a squirt from my guns at about 1000 yards in order to
distract his attention from the big friends. He dove under the bombers
without hitting anything and I followed him, pulling in behind shortly after
dropping my tanks. I opened fire at about a 20 degree angle from astern
and at a range of about 300 yards. I gave him about a 4-second burst and
observed numerous strikes on his canopy and fuselage. As I closed to
within point blank range, I pulled up and observed the Me109 spinning down out
of control with smoke streaming from the plane. As he went through the
cloud layer, I followed him down, and after breaking out again I saw a parachute
and took pictures of it. There were no other E/A close enough at the time
for this chute to have come from any other plane. As a result of this
combat I claim one (1) Me109 destroyed. Other members of my flight saw the
action and will verify my claim.
J. Ammunition expended - 600 rounds.
MCCAULEY CLARK, 0-437011
Captain - Air Corps.
I was flying Program White 4 during the above combat and witnessed the entire
fight. After Capt. Clark had scored numerous hits on the Jerry, the 109
seemed to catch on fire and spun out of control into the undercast, leaving a
wake of very dense smoke behind it. I didn't follow the 109 down to see
the pilot bail, but from the condition and attitude of the plane when I last saw
it I am certain that it was destroyed. I therefore confirm Capt. Clark's
claim.
ROGER B. MOOERS, 0-708740
2nd Lt. - Air Corps.
CONFIDENTIAL
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