I was leading Hellcat Squadron when we broke escort from B17's of the 3rd Division north of Nurnberg and headed home on a course of 270 degrees. In the vicinity of Wurzburg, flying at an altitude of 10,000 feet, we passed over an A/D (later identified as Herzogenaurach) containing 25 plus T/E E/A. We made one orbit spiraling (sic) down, then went past the A/D to the south and east for about 5 minutes and made a 180 degree turn - coming in for our attack generally from the East (specifically as indicated on diagram). My canopy fogged up at this point, so I pulled White section back up and let Yellow Section make the first pass. I noticed E/A on the perimeter track and in front of the hangar, so brought my section around to attack that area from an easterly direction (see diagram). Claims of 4-0-9 are made. E/A "g" (shared by Lt. Reilly and F/O Amos) (sic) caugh (sic) fire before these two pilots pulled up, while E/A "e" exploded. These two E/A, plus "f" and "c", were seen on fire by most of the Squadron when we reviewed the damage after the attack. I therefore claim 4 E/A destroyed in (sic) behalf of the Squadron - in addition to the damaged claims listed on reverse side.

Additional Remarks:

Despite the fact that little or no flak was encountered at the A/D, I made only one pass - and for another reason. A great many of the E/A seemed to me to be dummies while some others had obviously been damaged by a previous straffing (sic) attack. Because of engine failure I was forced to land at Bruselles (sic) shortly after the attack and was not present at the interrogation. On return to home base - in the light of above and after discussion with the other pilots - I have reduced our claim of 13 E/A damaged (as reported in Mission Summary report) to 9 damaged. The claim of 4 destroyed still stands.

JOHN D. LANDERS
Major - Air Corps