WWII Pilot Combat Report - EDWIN HELLER

EDWIN HELLER

352nd Fighter Group 05/08/1944

ENCOUNTER REPORT

LT EDWIN L HELLER ( a ) Combat ( b ) Ma y 8, 1944 ( c ) 48 6 th Fighter Sq uadron ( d ) Approximately 1030 ( e ) Gifhorn ( f ) 3/10 Cumulus at 2 ,000 ft. ( g ) Two (2) Me 109 ' s ( h ) T wo ( 2 ) Me 109 ' s Dest royed ( i ) I was flying Blue 2 when we saw about 20 plus bandits. Capt. Cutler, who was leading my flight, attacked a 109. I started to follow but saw another 109 nearby and went after him. I got behind him and opened fire at about 150 yds., no deflection. He blew up on my first burst. By this time I was fairly low. Looking up I noticed several bandits coming down thru the bombers formation. They seemed to hit the bombers and continue down to the deck. I picked one out and went after him . He was apparently damaged by my first burst, for he smoked and immediately took violent evasive action. By this time we were both on the deck. I got a few more strikes. We got into a luftberry at 130 mph and I had 10 o of flaps. He finally straightened out and I noticed he was preparing to crash land, as his engine was smoking badly. I gave him a last burst, just as he hit the top of a bridge and went into the river. I took a picture of his plane in the river. Then returned by myself. I c laim T wo ( 2 ) Me 109 ' s Dest royed. ( j )

A/C Ser No 43- 6 7 0 4 A/C Marking s PZ- H Amm o Exp - 676 rds. EDWIN L. HELLER, 1st L t , Air Corps . NATHAN S. SONTAG, Cap t , Air Corps , S-2 Officer .

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by EDWIN HELLER of the 352nd Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of EDWIN HELLER's combat experience.

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