Captain Harry R. Ankeny's Combat Diary
Page 7
MISSION # 6 6th March, 1944.
First mission to Berlin which was successful for
both bombers and fighters. The mission itself covered
1058 miles on paper but actually we must have covered at
least 1300 miles. Took off at 1019 in the morning and I
was flying Lt. Williams' wing in White No. 2 position.
Major Hayes took over Right Field, our group leader, and
his navigation wasn't so hot. We went clear past Berlin
which was for the most part under clouds l0-l0ths. Finally
received a call from the bombers that they were in trouble
around 20 miles to our left. We turned and headed there at
25,000 ft. to find plenty of enemy aircraft. The ME110's
and ME210's were setting out of the bombers gun fire range
lobbing in their rockets. Really was a mad rush. Willie
peeled off and I followed him down on a ME110 diving from
25,000 to 6,000 ft. and indicating well over 500 mi/hr. Williams
took a shot and thinking he was over shooting, I attacked the
ME110 from the top and side. His left engine was already on
fire. Couldn't keep my sights on him long because of the speed
I was traveling so I pulled off. It just happened to be the
opposite direction Lt. Williams had gone so I found myself
all alone. Found out later Williams and Lt. Hagan who was
right behind me shot him down. They said Williams got the
tail gunner and when the plane hit the ground, it cart-wheeled
and exploded. Finding myself very much alone over a golf course
just outside Berlin, I immediately tagged on to the first Mus-
tangs I could find and finally wound up coming home with Lt.
Hagan and Lt. Roberson. Our squadron had quite a field day.
Capt. Perron got his first three, two FW190's and a ME410
and his promotion to Capt. all in one day--he really hit the
jack-pot.
MISSION # 7 9th March, 1944.
Briefed again for Berlin, the trip on paper being
1015 miles. Took off on Lt. Col. Graham's our group CO's
wing and he led us thru the overcast with precision--best job
of instrument flying I have ever seen. He just took his time,
kept his air speed at 170 mi/hr. and we really sailed thru
fine. Being No. 2 man in Red flight it was my job to stay
on the bomber-fighter channel and talk with the bombers, report-
ing anything unusual to Right field; our group leader. Col.
Graham's windshield frosted up quite badly when we hit the
enemy coast and had to turn back. Capt. Broadhead took over
Right field and I tacked on his wing. Since the bombers were
50 minutes late, we meet them very early and started escorting
Copyright © 1996, Harry R. Ankeny