W.M. WESSON
78th Fighter Group 02/10/1944
A . Type of Action C ombat B . Date 1 0 February 1944 C . Unit 82nd Fighter Squadron D . Time of Attack 1 1 0 5 h ou rs E . Place of Attack Osnabruck A rea F . Weather Good visibility-ground h az e G . Type of Target F W -190 H . Enemy Casualties One F W -190 d estroyed . I . Account of Combat: I was flying Stedman Red Leader. Just as we R/V with the bombers, two Me-109's approached the Sqdn. from one o'clock level. They passed Greywall's flight and swung in behind my flight. Greywall broke to the right. I broke right behind him with my flight. The 109's proceeded to make two complete circuits with us- -other P-47 flights joining in the Lufberry. The 109's fired continuously, either head-on or deflection, at the 40 odd P-47's in the area. My #3 man, Lt. Turley, managed to get behind the 109's, both of which split-essed for the deck when Lt. Turley fired at them. Lt. Turley and his wingman left my flight, following the two ME-109's to the deck. I rejoined Greywall with my wingman and had flown on for about a minute when I saw four FW-190's flying thru the bomber formation. After going thru the bombers, they apparently had no intention of circling back again, for they flew straight on 90 degrees from the bombers, passing directly below me. I split-essed, dove about 8,000 ft., pulling out onto the tail of the 190 on the right. I was doing about 450 MPH, closing rapidly. I opened fire with a short burst from 500 yds., with about 10 degrees deflection. I saw no hits. I then pulled dead astern of the 190, opening fire again, having closed to 400 yds. This time my fire was accurate, strikes being seen on the right wing roots and fuselage. A large piece flew off the ship, which I thought was the belly-tank. However, upon closing further, I could see it had been the canopy; his belly-tank still being on. The E/A went into a broken skid to the right, falling off downward. I passed over the top of the E/A close enough to see the pilot climb over the side and leave the ship. I claim one FW-190 destroyed. W.M. WESSON 1st Lt. , Air Corps .
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by W.M. WESSON of the 78th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of W.M. WESSON's combat experience.
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