Three more were shot down by German fighters, on 18 and 23 May 1944.

Rather than turning back to base, he closed the distance and climbed right above the German fighter.

The German fighters were low on fuel and could only do so much to protect the bombers.

Smaller forces ranging from 9 to 20-plus represented the German fighters moving up behind it.

Of these, 25 fell to German fighters, two to return fire from the bombers.

Two pilots of the 487th claimed 4 German fighters shot down.

"Group are not at all happy about those long-range German fighters," he said.

At least 19 of his victories were over German fighters.

Few of the German fighters were seen, let alone fired on.

The German fighters were therefore outnumbered by about three to one.