Francis Gabreski

Major Francis S. Gabreski Keyworth White One

a. Combat

b. 29 November 1943

c. 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Group.

d. 1425 - 1440 hours.

e. Northeast of Bremen

f. 7 /10 cirrus below 24,000 feet

g. 2 Me-1 09

h. Two M e-1 09's destroyed. i . I was flying Keyword White one. We made landfall at approximately 1345, ( solid overcast ) and r/v with big friends at 1411 ( solid overcast ) . Keyworth positioned itself on the left side of the F orts at 30,000 feet. The Fo rts were 1500 feet below us. At 1425, the F orts made a 60° left hand turn. ( A . P .

I. ) a nd proceeded towards target. Being on the left and well out to the side, I spotted about 10 190's coming head on to the bombers and before I could actually get into position of fire, the enemy planes went down and below the F orts , possibly hitting the lower section of bombers. All this took place after reaching the A . P .

I. Just as the bombers approached their target, my Blue section and Red flights were split up as a result of a bounce upon six e/a approaching the bombers from ten o'clock . I proceeded to investigate vapor trails well out to the side and ahead of the bombers. Much to my surprise, these trails represented 40 + Me-109's . My wingman, Lieutenant P owers, and I happen ed to be the only two left of White flight. I immediately decide d to bounce the first e ight who were at 28,000 feet headed for the bombers. Closing in on the last man, I was suddenly warned by Lieutenant Powers that we were being attacked from astern. I broke off my attack and pointed my nose up in a 45° climb. Out climbing the pursuers two or three times, Lieutenant Powers and I made a determined effort to close in on the 8 M e-109's j ust below us at 28,000 feet. Having the advantage in altitude and with full throttle, I pointed my nose t owards the formation, picked on a straggler, close d to 600 yards and fired. I observed hits on the fuselage and belly tank. The belly tank broke in up into pieces. I pressed my attack., close d to 200 yards, when I observe d gray smoke pouring from the engine along with a very little flame. The plane fell off to the left, went into a spin and was last seen going into the clouds. A few seconds l apsed and I s wung over to the right, picked out another 109 of four, opened fire at 700 yards, and close d to about 200 ( dead astern ) . The belly tank blew up and strikes were seen centered on the fuselage and wings. Smoke and glycol poured out of the engine w hile the plane went into a slight dive and flew straight for about 10 seconds. At 24,000 feet, the 109 fell off slowly to the left , r olled over and went straight down into the overcast. Lieutenant Powers and I recovered and headed for home a s our Petro l was running low. There was nothing like old reliable wingman, a man that you can depend on. Lieutenant Powers certainly has what it takes. I claim two M e-109's destroyed..