That was the case hammer.
"On 10 February, whilst on a sweep to Batan Island (mid way between Luzon and Formosa), a member of Lt Curdes flight was forced to parachute into the sea and Curdes circled above to guide the resulting rescue efforts. While flying over the downed airman, Curdes spotted a USAAF C-47 that appeared to be intent on landing at the Japanese-held airfield on Batan. Although the ace attempted to shepherd the transport away from the airstrip, he met with little success. He then decided on the only action left open to him -the shoot it down.
Using all his skill, Curdes clinically shot out each engine, leaving the C-47 pilot with little option but to ditch the stricken transport in the calm seas. The 13 people aboard the transport, as well as the downed P-51 pilot, were all subsequently rescued and returned to Luzon.
For some days after this highly unusual action, Curdes was anxious about the consequences of his unorthodox approach to stopping the C-47. He need not have concerned himself, however, for he was not only cleared but commended by his superiors for his quick thinking in a crisis situation. For a time, Lt Curdes' P-51D-20 44-63272 Bad Angel boasted seven swastikas, an Italian fasces, a Japanese 'rising sun' and an American flag!"
