Sky over Odenwald

Sky Over Odenwald

Artist Credit: Dux screen shot

This particular dogfight was over Frankfurt. German and American planes hopelessly intermeshed, twisted all over flak-specked, Fortress filled sky. In the midst of the dogfight, a single classic duel developed. It was between a Messerschmitt and an American Mustang. In the German fighter was a man obviously one of their aces. In the Mustang was 27 year old Colonel Kenneth R. Martin. The fight progressed for minutes – an eternity in aerial combat. Both pilots threw their planes into impossible maneuvers. Neither could get in a solid burst. Then suddenly watchers saw the Me lunge fiercely at Martin’s Mustang. The two planes ripped toward each other. Martin refused to pull out. There was no accounting for this. It seemed to be just the expression of cold inexpressible anger. The planes crashed head on at 23,000 feet. The Me disintegrated in a flash of exploding gasoline and ammunition. Martin’s shattered Mustang fluttered to earth in a long, uncontrolled glide. Martin survived the crash. It was later reported by Berlin Radio that he was recovering from a broken arm and leg in the same hospital with the German pilot he brought down with him. - Fight For The Air, by John Frayn TurnerThis is a Winter 1944 event.

Arena
SEA

Country Percentages
~ 50% Allied
~ 50% Axis