Francis Gabreski

A. Combat.

b. 2 2 February 1944

c. 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group.

d. 1310 hours.

e. North of Lippstadt

f. 3 /10 strato cumulus 3,000 ft.

g. Fw-190 – De 217

h. Fw-190 des troyed , DO. 217 damaged on the ground . i . I was leading the group at Flying Keyworth White 1 . L/F was made north of The Hague at 1215, still climbing at 23,000 feet. Leveled off at 25,000 feet, and proceeded on vector passing up two boxes of B -17s in route. While still about 20 minutes from the first box of bombers and in the vicinity of Arnhem, a huge explosion was seen in the vicinity of the first box of bombers, and upon close observation, gunfire and fighters were seen passing through the bomber formation. That instigated full power performance. Approaching the first box of bombers from the position of 4 o'clock , we cited about 15-S/ E A /C r ecovering after passing through the bombers . Th e Hun made a general turn to the left which put us in direct position to attack f rom dead astern at 23,000 feet. The rocking of my wings may or may not have confused the Hun, but it is certain t hat he did not break until I had opened fire at 300 yards. At that moment, the Hun broke up and veered to the left. I tagged on and struck like a l eech, firing practically in a vertical position. Hits were observed on the inner portion of the right wing and fuselage, before the plane finally fell off t o the right. I kept firing at the 190 from about 200 yards till the plane burst into flames, going down i n a vertical di v

e. I pulled up at 15,000 feet indicating 400 mph , which I consumed in r egaining my lost altitude. Four s hips in my flight rejoined the first box of bombers and escorted on the right flank to the limit of endurance. Before breaking off escort , t he flight made a few unsuccessful bounces which resulted in splitting up the flight in pairs. Lieutenant Colonel Myers a nd I returned from the interior without much excitement until we reached the vicinity of Saint Anthonis , Holland. We picked out a nice new airdro m e that had nothing on it but a few hangers and a DO. 217, parked near the control h ut. I went down and picked out the plane and sprayed it, observing hits on the fuselage. Lieutenant Colonel Myers sprayed the hanger. We didn't bother to observe results as we were too occupied dodging. ack - ack fire. Ground strafing is one sure way of blowing off steam . H ell of a lot of fun , if you can get away with it . L/F was made out near the Hague at 10,000 feet and proceeded home. I claim 1 FW-190 destroyed and 1 DO. 217 damaged (on the ground). j. 942 rds .50 cal A.P.I