The exploits of the Eighth Air Force fighter pilots in WWII are the stuff of legend and Lt. Henry Brown of the 355th Fighter Group can definitely say he is made of the right stuff!

On April 11, 1944, Brown and his Mustang 'Hun Hunter' from Texas had finished their bomber escort mission and headed for the deck, in search of targets of opportunity. Four Mustangs screamed towards a Luftwaffe airfield at tree top height and straffed everything in sight. Brown shot down a Focke Wulf 190, just as it was taking off, expending his remaining ammunition in the process. He then found himself alone over enemy territory, as the rest of the flight had made for home and he attempted to do the same.

At 15,000 feet, he saw a flight of 4 fighters above him and he closed to join the formation. On closer inspection, Brown discovered they were Me 109's, but as he was out of ammunition, he closed into the formation on their blind spot. The reason he was not spotted soon became clear - they were closing on a pair of Mustangs! Brown radioed a warning and the Mustangs escaped, but gave away his position in the process. In the ensuing engagement, Brown outwitted the German fighters, despite being unable to return fire. His Mustang took some heavy damage, but he was able to shake them off! Now he just had to get home - a feat in itself. Some six and a quarter hours after take-off, he arrived back at Steeple Morden with quite a tale to tell and another kill to his name!

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