Francis Gabreski

Lt. Colonel Francis S. Gabreski Halstead White One

a. Combat

b. 30 January 1944

c. 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Group.

d. 1320 hours

e. Lingen

f. 10 /10 stratus at 5,000 feet

g. One Me-210 and one Me-109

h. Me 210 and Me-109 destroyed. i . I was leading "B" group and flying Halstead White one. L/F in was made over Ijmuiden at 23, 000 feet. 8 minutes before r/v, 10 plus twin engine ships were sighted flying close formation at 12,000 feet in the vicinity of Lingen . The two squadrons were ordered to proceed to the r/v point, while Halstead bounce from 26,000 feet. Just as Halstead White Flight was closing in from dead astern within 2 miles of the e/a , two flights of P -47's dove in f rom above and disperse d the e/a , forcing them to break and enter a cloud layer at 5000 feet. My wingman and I entered the cloud layer and went down to 4000 feet where we leveled off and decided to regain a little of our lost altitude. At this moment, the squadron was all split up into flights and pairs. Lieutenant Klibbe and I stayed at 10,000 feet, hoping that the Hun would come through the overcast again. He did. White two a nd I made about four uneventful bounces, e ach one was broken off o ut of range. Just before the Hun hit the clouds. For the fifth bounce a lone Me-210 came up through the overcast. Being dead astern and 5000 feet above, I went into my dive with throttle wide open. It was just a matter of seconds before I was within 1500 yards of the Hun at 6000 feet. I commence d firing from dead astern at 1200 yards. No visual hits were observed, b ut glycol was seen trailing the right engine. Closing to about 500 yards, w hite smoke was seen pouring out of the right engine. Upon closing to no ugh t feet t he armor piercing ammunition was seen penetrating the fuselage, right wing and engine. Breaking off over the top of the M e- 210, the right engine was seen burning and trailing grey smoke. When last seen, the aircraft entered cloud going down at a 45° angle. About 10 minutes later, two Me-109' s were seen climbing at 7000 feet. Lieutenant Klibbe and I close d in to dead astern. I took the right while Lieutenant K libbe took the left. The 109's had the same white tail and wing markings as the Mustang. As a result, fire was withheld till I close d to 250 yards. When the black crosses could be plainly seen from the bottom side and the two scoops under the wings w ere plainly visible. Upon complete identification, I cut my throttle back and commenced firing. The plane was hit from wing tip to wing tip, the main concentration in the fuselage. I close d to fifty feet and broke off my attack by flying directly over the top of the Hun. I pulled up into a right chandelle and saw the M e- 109 go up into the right uncontrolled. chandelle with the prop windmilling . It fell off in to a right s pin with black and grey smoke trailing, leaving behind trails that will never be reproduced by the same ship nor the same Hun again. Armor piercing has again taken the. t oll of another Hun. The ship when last seen was spinning as it entered the overcast at 5000 feet. No parachutes were seen to open. I had expended all my ammunition so I decided it was best for Lieutenant K libbe and I to return to base. A very nice piece of flying was exhibited by my wingman who at all times was well out to the side to cover my tail. When the Huns were in the vicinity he was always first to see them. As a result, three Huns were destroyed between us. I claim an ME-210 destroyed and an ME-109 destroyed. j. 1635 rds .50 cal Six (6) inboard guns APIT, two (2) outboard guns I only. See Encounter Report of 2 nd Lt Frank W. Klibbe .