HEADQUARTERS SIXTY THIRD FIGHTER SQUADRON AAF STATION F- 365 APO 637 U. S. ARMY Personal Combat Report VIII Fighter Command F.O. No. 2 07
Capt. Walker M. Mahurin a . Combat b . 22 Decem ber 1943 c . 6 3r d Fighter Squadron , 56 th Fighter Group d . 1 3 55 hours e . Vicinity of Hesepe f . 10 /10 cloud with top at 10,000 and middle stratus at 18 ,000 . g . 2 Me 109 's h . 2 Me 109 's D estroyed i . I was leading Postgate S quadron with White flight consisting of (Capt. Mahurin, Lts . W isniewski , Comstock and Robey ). We made rendezvous with the big friends at the appointed time (1340 hours) and, as far as I could ascertain, at the appointed place (Almelo). Our squadron took up a position at the rear of the last box of B-24's, weaving to keep from over-running them. During the run from the rendezvous to the I.P., we saw various attacks coming in to the bombers , but we were not in a position to break them up. It appeared that these attacks were dispersed by other T hunderbolts. Our engagements took place just after the bombers had made their last turn out and were setting course home. We were slightly West of the target when we first sighted two Me 109 's making a large left turn West of the bombers. They appeared to be at about 24,000 feet. As they turned we decided to attack. When we started down both of the e/a went through a small cloud and only one came out the other side. This e/a was still in his left turn when we came in behind it. I first opened fire at about 500 yards with a deflection of about 45 degrees. As I fired, the e/a conveniently rolled out of his turn and headed straight for the last bunch of B-24's. I still fired at him and, byt the time I had closed to 300 yards, I saw several strikes about his wings and fuselage. I was slightly below him at the time . I noticed he had one large belly tank on his right wing, and two rocket containers, one under each wing. When I had closed to about 100 yards, still firing, I hit his belly tank and the ship blew up. I flew through the debris and flames. I broke slightly right and started a left turn when I was surprised to find another e/a off to my left heading to the rear bunch of bombers. I started after it. This e/a flew along toward the bombers, climbing up to their level (26,000 feet). I fell in behind it. When I looked into my sight to fire, I could not see any part of the reticule. I also noticed that the e/a was directly into the sun so I could not see him. I was closing quite rapidly at this time . I opened fire and began to take short squirts into the sun, hoping that I would hit him. Evidently I did for I began to see smoke. I fired at the smoke and suddenly the e/a came into view. He was on fire and there were many strikes all over the ship, both on the wings and the fuselage. Many parts were flying from the e/a. I broke right and pulled up to climb out of the fight. (Cont'd on page 2) Personal Combat Report – Capt. W alker M. Mahurin, F .O. No. 2 07 , 22 / 1 2/ 43 ( Cont . d ) My flight climbed back to 30,000 feet, setting course for home. We passed box after box of bombers on the way out. They appeared to be adequately taken care of by the escorting fighters. The trip home was uneventful.
WALKER M. MAHURIN, Capt., Air Corps. Capt. Walker M. Mahurin 42- 8487 985 rds 50 cal AP & I SUPPORTING STATEMENT S While flying Postgate White 2. Shortly after the target we sighted two Me 109's at about 24,000 feet preparing to make an attack on a box of bombers. Capt. Mahurin went down on the first one and opened fire from an angle of about 45 degrees. I saw a great many strikes. The e/a blew up as pieces flew all over the place. He then pulled up to the right and sighted the other Me 109 still heading toward the box of bombers. He positioned himself on this e/ a and opened fire. I observed many strikes. The aircraft started burning and smoking. The e/a seemed to stop in mid-air. The nose dropped and the e/a went straight down in flames. At about 1410 hours, slightly South of the bombers near Almelo, I saw a single engine aircraft go down trailing smoke. I was too far away to identify this plane. ADAM J. WISNIEWSKI , 2nd L t., Air Corps. I was flying Postgate White 3 behind Capt. Mahurin. Just before we were ready to break off the escort we saw 2 Me 109's flying Northwest at about 24,000 feet. Capt. Mahurin started to attack and the e/a started a shallow left turn to attack the last box of B-24's. Both of the e/a went through a cloud and one of them continued in his turn while the other came out climbing straight ahead. Capt. Mahurin fired on the one that was still turning and hit him on the left wing and all along the left side of the fuselage and engine. There was a big sheet of flame and debris came off the e/a, and he did a slow diving left turn. It left a dense smoke trail all the way down. The second Me 109 was above Capt. Mahurin while he was shooting the first one down. During this time my wing man and I started to turn into the second one and he immediately started to dive. Evidently he saw Capt. Mahurin because he went into a shallow climb which brought him in front of Capt. Mahurin's guns. Capt. Mahurin gave him 3 or 4 short bursts.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Walker Mahurin of the 56th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Walker Mahurin's combat experience.
