Donald Funcheon
56th Fighter Group 02/21/1944
b. 21 February 1944.
c. 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th. Fighter Squadron.
d. Approximately 1530 hours.
e. Four to 6000 feet over Z u ider Z ee
f. 5/10 clouds at 2000 feet.
g. M e 109.
h. One M e 109 destroyed. i . I was flying Hallstead White 3 on what seemed to be a very uneventful mission until we were about 18,500 feet northeast of Z u ider Z ee . I heard s ome one say there were four contrails at 11 o'clock very high. I looked up there and just then I saw 5 bogeys about 2000 feet above and to the left of us coming down on a B - 17 straggler. I pushed everything forward and started after them. They got there just before my wingman and I did. 2 P-51' s came in but broke off the attack when they saw us. It was a string of 3 109's, 1 190 and 1 109 a nd then myself . I close d up to approximately 250 yards, fired, and saw hits all over the fuselage and right wing and saw some small pieces come off. The e/a broke down a nd to the left and I followed. I gave him a burst and saw hits in the cockpit. I was going so fast and so close to the e/a I had to break off. When I looked behind, I saw two noses that weren't red, so I broke into them. They were two of the N orth Grove ships. I look ed down a fter this break to see what happened to the e/ a but I didn't see anything until there was a large splash in the water. I was so high I couldn't see if it was my e/ a or not. However , Lieutenant Egan followed the e/a down and saw it crash. I claim one M e 109 destroyed. j. 610 rds .50 cal A.P.
I. See Encounter Report of Lt. J. Eagan, 63 rd Fighter Squadron.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Donald Funcheon of the 56th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Donald Funcheon's combat experience.
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