WALTER BECKHAM

A . Combat B . 14 October , 1943 C . 3 5 1st F i gh t e r Sq uadron D . 1330 hours E . Vicinity Aachen F . Solid overcast G . Two FW 190s H . Two FW 190s destroyed . I . I was leading Roughman blue flight flying at 28,000 to 29,000 feet above and on the right hand edge of the bombers. Were in the vicinity of Aachen (guessing from the elapsed time only, as we were over an overcast.) Twenty plus 190s came in toward the bombers at their same level and from three o'clock. I announced them on the R/T and heard someone else also calling them in. They were flying very nearly in line abreast. We went out toward them at our altitude (about 28,000 feet.) Made a steep diving turn to the right and came out almost on top of them. I shot one that had a belly tank from astern closing to just behind him seeing strikes, pieces and smoke. Believe that his belly tank was one of the pieces. Lt. W. J. Maguire, my No. 2 observed the action. Made a slight right turn and shot another one from the rear and close range. Many pieces came off and he rolled over slowly to the right and started down on fire. Lt. Maguire called me that he had one on his tail at this point. I turned as sharply as I could to the left and saw a 190 behind him. I would have been able to make a head on attack but he pushed his nose downward avoiding action. Lt. Maguire called me, stating that he was going after this E/A. Unfortunately I did not receive his transmission, so failed to stay with him, thinking that he was still following me. 1 Shortly after I thought I heard a call from Lt. Maguire, turned half-around and saw flaming pieces of an aircraft falling that may have been this same one which was destroyed by Lt. Maguire. I am not sure whether the rest of the original 20 plus E/A were able to complete the attack on the Forts, but am sure that six or eight did not (being the ones that we shot down, and their flight members.) Action took place at about 23,000 and 24,000 feet. I fired 846 rounds with one stoppage. Wish to commend Lt. Maguire for staying right in there advising me that our tail was clear, then calmly announcing that one was on his tail and shooting him down after his attack was diverted.