I was Red Leader on a dive-bombing mission to Geldern. We approached the target from the North-east at 8,000 feet. The dive was steady and there was no defensive fire. We left the target at full speed heading 270 at low altitude. I spotted a bandit closing in from behind and so I ordered Red 2 to break left. This allowed me to get behind the bandit, which turned out to be a Bf 109. I fired some shots to chase him away from the tail of Red 2.
The 109 did some evasive manoeuvres and I lost sight on it. So I ordered to re-form and climb flying further to the West. Shortly after that, I noticed that something shooting at Red 2. At first, I thought it was ack-ack, but then I saw that it was a 109 and ordered to break to left again. Just before I managed to get behind the hun, Red 2 was critically hit and crashed into the ground. I didn't see any chute, so I assume 41Sqn_MADOV was killed. I fired some long bursts on the M.E. 109. I must have hit the cockpit as it suddenly banked to the left and crashed straight into the ground. Then I returned to Eindhoven.
S/Ldr 'Skipper' Merfort |
