Jack Oberhansly

78th Fighter Group 09/27/1943

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27 September 1943 Type of Action: Combat Date: 27 September 1943 Unit: 82 nd Fighter Squadron Time of Attack: 1015 to 1025 hours Place of Attack: Emden Area Weather: 8/10ths low cloud Type of enemy aircraft: ME-109's Enemy casualties: 2 Me-109's destroyed Account of Combat: I was leading Stedman Squadron, " S"ing over bombers in target area at 32,000 feet providing top cover for Bayland and Lockyear Squadrons. I saw approximately 50 e/a in vicinity of bombers. One of these was ahead and below my Squadron. I dove on him and opened fire at about 30 degrees deflection, 350 yards and closed to almost astern and about 250 yards. I fired one burst of about 3 seconds and observed many strikes on fuselage, around cockpit, above wing roots. I pulled up at this time, because someone said we were being attacked from the rear. After making sure we were clear from attack I leveled out and looked for the e/a I had fired at. He was still flying straight and level then slowly rolled over into a slow spin which continued to get tighter and faster until he disappeared into the overcast 18,000 to 20,000 feet below. All this time he was pouring white smoke. This I am positive of due to the concentration of hits on the cockpit I definitely feel the pilot was hit and that the aircraft was completely out of control when I last saw it. I claim one Me 109 destroyed. After breaking off from the attack on the first Me 109 I saw another 109 slightly to my right and below so dove to attack from about 35 degrees deflection to 20 degrees and from slightly above, closing from 350 yards. I fired 2 bursts, the first I allowed about 2 rings deflection which proved to be not enough so increased my lead and fired my second burst and saw a continuous stream of strikes from the nose through the tail. The e/a pulled up slowly until in a vertical position then stalled and fell off on the right wing, this was definitely not an evasive action as it was all done in very slow motion. He then went into a slow spin which gradually increased in speed and tightened until he disappeared into the overcast. During the spin he was pouring smoke and flames appeared from the right side of the engine cowling. I claim one Me 109 destroyed. Jack J. Oberhansly Major, Air Corps Squadron Commander

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Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Jack Oberhansly of the 78th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Jack Oberhansly's combat experience.

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  78th Fighter Group