Francis Gabreski

Lt. Col. Francis S Gabreski Whippet White One

a. Combat. (air)

b. 12 June 1944.

c. 61st Fighter Squadron, 56 Fighter Group.

d. 1525 hours

e. Vicinity of Evreux

f. 1 /10 cumulus c louds.

g. Me-109s

h. Two Me-109 's destroyed i . Leading the group in flying Whippet White 1 , the group penetrated to the vicinity of Paris. After patrolling about half an hour, the group received word from Colgate that the 3 53rd Group was engaged West of Paris. At the moment we were headed north about 10 miles east of Paris. The group immediately changed vector and headed West till we reached the point of combat. No enemy aircraft scene in vicinity, so we proceeded on our uneventful tour between Chartres and Beauvais. Just as we were about to head out in in the vicinity of Evreux, Whippet Red 3 called in a few planes flying north along the deck. I couldn't pick them up, s o I advised to make a 180 left and the y would be directly below me. Sure enough, a 180 was executed and 12 Me-109's appeared ahead of me flying a beautiful a breast formation at 3000 feet. I immediately dove from 14,000 feet and closed on one M e- 109 flying a wing position a t 3000 feet. My closing speed was terrific. Just about range I opened fire and held it until I closed nought feet. There were strikes all over the ve ntral side of the fuselage and the tail section - pieces flew off the a/c and flames billowed from the mid - ventral section of the fuselage. I barely avoided colliding with the Me-109 . A s I passed underneath the plane, I was forced to s hove stick forward f or all that I was worth as the 109 fell nose heavy. I regained my altitude to the left and lost practice practically all my speed when I reversed the turn and spotted four more 109 's still flying in pretty good formation quite a distance ahead and beneath me. Applying full throttle, I dove from about 6000 feet and intercepted an Me- 109 just as the flight of four was breaking up. My target went into a steep right hand turn and I followed an open ed fire in range. Concentration of hits were seen over the fuselage and cockpit. I close d to nought feet and fell to the outside of the Me-109 when the plane fell off to the left and I barely avoided ramming it. The plane fell off burning while I made a left h and circuit and started climbing. Just at this moment, I looked back to clear my tail and I saw an Me-109 closing in on me from below. I kept climbing and orbiting left while the Hun, just a little out of range, kept firing at me. This lasted for about half a minute before another Thunderbolt came to my rescue. As the Thunderbolt headed down on the M e- 109, the Hun rolled over and dove away. Thanks to my good comrade, Lieutenant Heaton. A note of interest: It is my opinion that some 109's have only one gun firing through the hub of the prop a s their only armament. At least the 109 firing at me had but one gun. Perhaps the Hun believes in maneuverability and climb a nd as a result m ay sacrifice armament. I claim two Me-109's destroyed. j. 564 rds .50 cal A.P.I.