Edgar Whitley
56th Fighter Group 08/19/1943
b. 19 August 1943
c. 63rd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group
d. 1826 to 1827 hours
e. Off Walcheren Island
f. Vis. 10 miles, no cloud, ground haze
g. Me 109
h. 1 Me 109 F destroyed
i. At about 1625 hours I was flying Postgate Yellow No. 4 line abreast at 20,000 feet returning from a Ramrod with B-17's. We were 10 miles ahead of the Forts and had just crossed the Dutch coast when Postgate Yellow leader (Capt. Mahurin) sighted 3 Bogeys flying North along the coast. We broke in behind them in a string, then they broke East toward the bombers. As we had come out of the sun it is doubtful that they saw us and broke to make an attack head-on on the bombers. Yellow 3 (Lt. Vogt) attacked the rear Me 109 on the right and I saw the Me 109 explode after his first burst. In the meantime the Northernmost Me 109 was in a psoition to slide in behind Yellow 3 so I immediately attacked him. I opened fire at 300 yards, 30 degree deflection, and fired to 50 yards zero deflection. I saw bursts hitting all over the Hun. He took no evasive action other than to climb straight ahead. My tracers hit him from underneath right in the belly. Pieces and smoke flew past me and my canope was covered with oil as I broke off and returned home. Capt Mahurin, Yellow 1, who I had cut off, took pictures of the attack. The engagement took place between 17,000 and 20,000 feet. I claim one Me 109 F destroyed.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Edgar Whitley of the 56th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Edgar Whitley's combat experience.
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