During a fighter sweep toward Frankfurt, Hub Zemke, along with two wingmen, had the misfortune to be caught at a disadvantage and singled out for attack by seven Bf 109s, led by Major Gunther Rall, an elite German pilot and commander of the 2nd group of JG 11, who already had some 200 kills to his credit. Entering into a defensive Lufbery maneuver, the three P-47s tried to protect each other's tail. They fended off several passes by the 109s which came down in pairs. Then Major Rall, acting alone, made two passes at the trio and shot down both of Zemke's wingmen while the other 109s watched. Before he could nail Zemke, the Wolf Pack leader flipped over into a power dive and ran for safety.
