M GLADYCH
56th Fighter Group 02/21/1944
b. 21 February , 1944
c. 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group
d. 15 40 hours
e. Over Zuider Zee
f. 5 /10 clouds at 2,000 ft.
g. Me -1 09 F or G
H. 2 Me-109's destroyed i . I was flying Halstead White 4 on Lt. Funcheon's Wing at approx. 19,000 ft. At about 1535 I saw 5 Me-109's attack a straggler B-17. I couldn't call out on the radio as it was dead, so I proceeded to intercept. My leader fired at one of the e/a and I saw it snap over and dive. I followed going down in a wide spiral. At about 4,000 ft. I was attacked by 2 Me-109's flying abreast. I managed to evade then fire by turning into the attack and then immediately followed in a dive. The two e/a split up and turned in opposite directions. I chose the left one. After a short pursuit I closed in to approximately 400 yds. and opened fire. The 109 didn't pull out of its dive and hit the water off the West coast of the Zuider Zee. I began to climb in order to rejoin my flight, but when I was at 3,000 ft. I saw another Me-109 approx. 2,000 ft. above me and apparently climbing. I pushed everything forward and used my water injection. As I was closing in, the e/a flicked over to the right. I opened fire and saw the e/a going into a dive. I followed but didn't fire again as I was very low then, I had to pull out of the dive. However, I saw the e/a fire all its guns and finally disappear in the cloud of smoke or mist which was certainly less than 1500 ft., still diving vertically. I climbed again to 12,000 ft. and seeing a straggler B-17, escorted it until half way across the sea. I claim two Me -1 09 's destroyed.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by M GLADYCH of the 56th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of M GLADYCH's combat experience.
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