Well were a small squad now days.
Four of us came up for escort duties. About mid point to target we encountered spiratic enemy aircraft attacking our forward elements trying to retreat out of the target area. Several of our planes smoking low. We split into two elements with one proceeding to the target the other attempting to turn back some of the agessors before turning back to the forward group.
Soon our two separate elements encountered high 109s who began sparing with us. We lost one element when the lead was severly damaged and had to rtb. (Elevator / Rudder missing.) The other pilot being gang banged and finaly shot down. While the damaged plane returned our lead element encountered high 109s and entered a hard fight against supierior odds. We lost another wingman there after he took down one of theirs. (It was not a good night for kill numbers, but a good night for disrupting their attackers. ).
Lead of second element managed to get his plane down and was later joined by CO.
Second sortie, new formed flight/element took off again to attempt to penetrate to target in support. In route we get word our wards had lost all members and were done. We forged on meeting just east off area with 23d/ 4th fighter group and were attacked at high altitude by elements of the 352nd in a completly ineffective fight where they chased us out of the area. AE's were trying to avoid the bounces while we attempted to see if another attack group could use our help low. We were informed all attack groups were out. Word however came that field 141 had one target left. So we headed north formulating a plan. In the mean time we heard the 23/ 4th were taking it down for the night. There was comment between us that leave 352nd vs AE for the next 30 minutes of attack time. Well ...
We pressed on. I took her down 20 miles east of 141 and hit the weeds. Besea in mean time continued at 27,000 ft to try to look enticing ran interferance. 352nd remained uninterested began attacking our tank column now that there were no allied fighters to molest them. I poped out of the river bed aquired the target gv and expended all my ammo with the bugger blowing up just at the last BBBRRRRBBBB click click click happened. Well getting down to about 2 feet from the water I skedattled north at top speed and burning the wep up. In mean time now we got a reaction of the 352nd with a mob coming our way half toward me at 141 and half toward Besea. Well I out ran them, besea bored them to death, especialy when the saw he was over the top of them so they turned back and we landed for the night.
Kills
1 x 109 by Ozzone.
1 x field 141 closed, by Bluzoo ( and mostly too another squad who did most of the work ) cant wait to hear thier report. )
Losses
Pppepp
Ozzone.
Mixed feelings on this one. We were effective but too heavy losses. hated loosing pppepp. Doing rolls for speed, plane with controls shot to pieces, one on my tail trying to catch up and looking back seeing him desperatly trying to survive all the mob on his butt and now all alone with me no help. What an emotional game this can be, wow!