WALTER GRESHAM

355th Fighter Group 08/15/1944

358 TH F ighter S quadron 355 TH F ighter G roup APO 637 16 August , 1944 F.O. 516 PERSONAL ENCOUNTER REPORT

A . Combat B . 15 August , 194 4 . C . 3 5 8 TH F i gh t e r Sq uadron , APO No. 637. D . 12 45 h rs . E . N W of ZWOLLE, HOLLAND. F . Clouds nil . Visibility unlimited. G . Me 109. H . 1 Me 109 destroyed . I . On August 15 I was leading Bentley Sq, and we had just completed escorting B-24's which were bombing VECHTA A/D. We made a pass at VECHTA A/D which was heavily defended, but saw no planes on the field. We then climbed to 9,000 ', and headed W looking for targets of opportunity. We spotted a large A/D N W of ZWOLLE. We then sighted an Me 109 flying at about 4000'. Bentley Red flight started after him and the ground defences opened up immediately. He saw us coming in plenty of time and turned into us. I blacked out turning on to his tail. He then took a pot shot at Red 3 and I started firing at extreme range to scare him off. He did several tight Chandelles and very steep dives. I was continually using flaps and throttle to stay on his tail, taking short bursts at every opportunity. After I had hit him with a few bursts he hit the deck and started taking evasive action. I then hit him with two more bursts and observed large chunks of his right wing root coming off. His engine either cut or he cut it, and he started fish-tailing trying to make a belly landing. I downed 40 degrees of flaps and got in another short burst which hit him hard. He then crashed into a woods with one wing low. My initial firing was done from 500 to 700 yds and the last several bursts were between 200 and 300 yds. I had excellent cooperation from the other men in my Flight, Lt Peters and Lt Taylor. I claim 1 Me 109 destroyed.

WALTER V. GRESHAM , Cap t , AC . Supporting Statement For Capt Gresham's Claim On August 15, I was flying Bentely Red 4. After leaving the target we sighted an Me 109 N W of ZWOLLE. Capt Gresham chased him and after considerable action the E/A hit the deck. I observed the E/A crash into the woods. I was flying at about 2000' as top cover after the action went on to the deck. THOMAS J. TAYLOR, 2nd Lt, AC.

Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by WALTER GRESHAM of the 355th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of WALTER GRESHAM's combat experience.

WALTER GRESHAM

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