Francis Gabreski

Lt. Col. Francis S Gabreski Whippet White One

a. Combat.

b. 7 June 1944.

c. 61st Fighter Squadron, 56 Fighter Group.

d. 1240

e. East of Dreux

f. 9/10 Clouds.

g. One M e - 109 and. One FW - 190.

h. One Me-109 destroyed and one FW-190 destroyed. i . Leading Whippet Squadron and flying Whippet White One, the squadron proceeded to Chartres and dive bombed a railroad line. Returning by the way of Dreux Airdrome, the squadron circled the dro m e at 10,000 feet. Upon completing the orbit, 2 planes were picked up flying on the deck. Two flights let down through the hole in the clouds, and White Flight headed in pursuit of the two FW -190's . Just as we reached about 2000 feet, I looked up to 9 o'colck and saw 20 plus aircraft flying b eautiful formation. Upon first glance, I assumed that they were Spitfires, but upon closer investigation, I learned that they were M e-109's and FW -190's . I broke off my first attack, called the gaggle in and attacked the first two 109's; t he one saw me closing in dead astern and he broke; t he second kept on a vector till I started firing, then he went into a left hand turn. I kept firing within range and saw just a few hits around the tail section. At this moment the M e- 109 seemed to have lost power as I over ran him . I cut my throttle, pulled up and just as I was about to go down on the same Me- 109 and finish him off, I saw the pilot bailout and the chute opened at about 2000 feet. I began regaining my altitude when I saw about four FW -190's a little to the right and about 1000 feet below. I shoved everything forward and it was sometime before I was able to close within range, but just before the 190 dove into the haze at 2 to 3000 feet, I corrected my deflection just as I closed within range and saw hits all over the fuselage and a slight explosion with fire emerging from the fuselage. The plane fell off to the left and went to the ground. F /Lt. Gladych saw the plane hit the g round. I claim 1 Me- 109 and one FW - 190 destroyed. j. 1085 rds .50 Cal A.P.I.