Flight was led by Flt Lt Merfort and we were joined by an exchange pilot from the Soviet Air Force, Andrey. We climbed to c. 6000 ft and headed northwest towards Oss again. Little FLAK was noted as we crossed the bomb line. Flt Lt Merfort called out a bogey ahead co-alt though I didn't see him until he screeched past us. It was the Squadron's first sighting of the Me262, the enemy jet propelled aircraft which reaches speeds of up to 550 mph. MITOR ONE had got off some rounds and nicked the e/a as it started to smoke and I was able to follow him as he banked round in a huge arc to come back towards us. By banking inside of his arc I was able to make an approach on his six and I opened fire, cannon and ball, from around 300 yards closing to 100 yards with intermittent bursts. He lost his port aileron and both engines began to smoke very badly with big, black effusions of thick smoke. E/a was seen to dive to the ground in a spin with both engines on fire. I claim this aircraft as confirmed destroyed. Almost immediately Fg Off Nikiforov called out another 262 and he was successful in making a diving approach and destroying the e/a in the air. I was almost completely out of ammo at this point and we headed for base on a bearing of 150 deg. We quickly reformed under orders of Flt Lt Merfort who led us back to Volkel where we performed our trademark Overhead Break landing routine for the homebase squadrons. 41 Sqn showing the other chaps how it's done! F/Lt 'Madov' Emblin |
