Roland,
"Dixie" was on an escort mission to Wels, Austria. He was last seen by his wingman, Lt Fred Ohr chasing an enemy aircraft up the Danube River between Amstettin and Linz. What happened was later explained in his book " They Call Me Dixie". In the final moments Dixie shot down the ME-109, but as he pulled up his engine suddenly sputtered and dropped. Since he was so low he had no choice other than to belly land into a small clearing. As he jumped out of his aircraft he could smell gasoline and then saw five bullet holes along the cowling and figured the fuel line was nicked. Before he had a chance to set the charge to destroy his plane , German troops arrived and he was taken prisoner.
"Alles Klar"
Fair Winds and Following Seas, John
GM 3/C USS Snowden DE246--Frost DE144
Kin to LT. John W. Farnkopf
15th AF, 52 FG, 4th FS
MIA 11/11/44 remains found 12/8/53
"Freedom is not free, it is paid for"