Lens area of Belgium. The P-47
Thunderbolts were to attack enemy
trains, railyards and road transport.
Bolgert was flying as an element
leader in Major Joseph Myers’ flight,
call-sign Surtax Blue. The quartet
comprised: Myers – Blue 1, his
wingman 2nd Lt Wayne L Coleman
- Blue 2, and Bolgert – Blue 3 with
his wingman, 2nd Lt Manford
O Croy Jr – Blue 4. They were to
provide top cover, while the others
carried out low-level bombing and
strafing.
Major Myers wrote in his combat
report: “While stooging around
at 19:15 hours west of Brussels at
11,000ft, I caught sight of what
appeared to be a B-26 [Marauder],
flying at about 500ft and heading in
a southerly direction and going very
fast. I immediately started down
to investigate and, although diving
at 45° at 450mph IAS [indicated
airspeed], I was no more than
holding my own in regard to the
unidentified aircraft.
“When approximately 5,000ft
above and very nearly directly over
the aircraft, I could see that it was
not a B-26, although it had the
general overall plan of the B-26. It
was painted a slate blue colour, with
a long-rounded nose, but I did not
see any guns sticking out anyplace.
It bore no markings.
“The unidentified plane must
have seen me at this time, because
he started evasive action, which
consisted of small changes of
direction not exceeding 90° of turn.
The radius of turn was very greatand although I was diving at around
450 IAS, I had very little trouble
cutting him off and causing him to
again change direction.
“He made no effort to climb or
turn more than 90° at any time. I
closed to within 2,000ft above and
directly astern and had full power
on in a 45° dive in an effort to close.
At this distance I could readily see
the similarity between the aircraft
and the recognition plates of the
Messerschmitt Me 262.
“With full power on and the
advantage of altitude I gradually
started closing on the E/A [enemy
aircraft], and drew up to within 500
yards astern and was about to open
fire when the E/A cut his throttle
and crash landed in a ploughed field.
He hit the ground just as I fired,