Joe Powers
56th Fighter Group 11/29/1943
H. Powers Jr. Keyworth White T wo a . Combat b . 29 November, 1943 c . 6 1st Fighter Squadron , 56th Group d . 1 425-1440 hrs. e . Northeast Bremen f . 7/10 cirrus at 22,000 ft. g . Me 109 h . 1 Me - 109 destroyed i . I was fly ing Keyworth White 2 . W e made landfall on time and r/v with the bombers at about 1410 hrs. We were on the left side of the Forts at about 30,000 when they made their turn at the I.P. At this time we sighted about 10 e/a in front of the Forts. These e/a made a headon attack before we could intercept them. We then turned to the left to investigate some contrails. These were about 40+ s/e e/a. We started down to attack a flight of 6 e/a, but 2 109's started after us and we had to break into the sun. Major Gabreski, (Keyworth White 1), then made a stern attack on a single 109 at 22,000 and I saw strikes all over the cockpit and wings and he fell off smoking and burning in a spin. We pulled back up and immediately saw a flight of 4 Me 109's behind another flight of 4 109's and the Major picked the 3rd mand in the rear flight and started firing. At this time I observed a 109 coming in on the Major. I turned slightly and took a 45 o deflection shot and observed a couple of scattered hits. I fired a short burst of about 1 second. The e/a immediately reversed his turn and mushed into my line of flight. I gave him a rather long burst and the e/a rolled on his back and exploded. I had to break off because we were being attacked from 6 o'clock. My e/a blew up just as I pulled up and over him. I claim 1 Me 109 d estroyed .
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Joe Powers of the 56th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Joe Powers's combat experience.
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