EAGLE PILOTS

Evening Star, Issue 24004, 1 October 1941, Page 8

EAGLE PILOTS

BMm TOUT OVER CHARNEL fW ENEMY FLARES SHOT DSWH (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 39. Two American lagle pilots mi offensive patrol inside France had to fight every inch of their way home. They destroyed two of their pursuers and damaged another: The youngest member of jfehe Eagle Squadron, who has now destroyed five enemy aircraft, was on patrol with a comrade. On the way out of France he saw a Messerschmitt 109 taking off, but before he got within range he saw another one behind it. He fired at this, but did not see the result as he swept overhead. His comrade, who was flying behind, had seen four others taking off and shot at one of them. . , , The two American pilots were towards the end of their patrol and had not sufficient petrol to start a dogfight with their opponents, who had been freshly fuelled, so they decided to leave well alone ami return to thfnr base. They flew out, one at sDft and the other at I,oooft. Several Messersdlmott 109’s dived on the Spitfires halfway across the Chaiiucl. e< Two attacked my comrade, said one Eagle pilot, describing the experience, “ and' four fastened on to me- One enemy aircraft on my tall opened fire, and I was flanked on both aides. I gave one a five-seconds hurst with canjtofi and machine gun, and it shuddered! violently, Sicked on its' hack, and dived into me eea. The enemy on my starboard ado made a? beam attack during this action, and blew my hopd off. I turned after him as he passed behind me and gave trim all I had got, and large pieces flew Offhim. I turned for fife English coast, but the Messerschmitt pilots, probably seeking revenge, pursued me all the. way to Dover, firing all tfia lam®. I, used! all the evasive I knew, Wt' the enemy aircraft was flpwn by a Very experienced pilot, who often regained his position on my tail. Even in the hectic chase, however, I had time to see one thing that gave me a kick —another Messerschmitt 109 go into the sea, shot down by my comrade:”