William Bailey
353rd Fighter Group 10/14/1943
ENCOUNTER REPORT
A. Combat.
B. 14 October 1943.
C. 352nd Fighter Squadron.
D. Time-1320
E. Vicinity Eecloo. 26,000 feet.
F. 1/10 high cirrus 9/10 medium and low clouds.
G. Me 109.
H. 1 Me 109 destroyed.
I. As Wakeford White leader I was leading the squadron as top cover for the bombers at 30,000 feet. We had just made landfall in the vicinity of Flushing when I noticed about 20 plus E/A, both Me 109’s and FW 190’s coming in above us at 11 o’clock at an altitude of 33,000 feet and above. These aircraft dove to attack, and a general dog fight ensued. These E/A definitely engaged our fighters and made no attempt to attack the bombers. In the course of the fight which followed the E/A were split up. I noticed a 109 on the tail of one of our aircraft. I called to break and the 109 was shaken off and went into a half roll. He dove for about 1000 feet, rolled back and leveled off pulling up in a steep climb. I followed him up in the climb and had no difficulty in closing. I fired two bursts from range of 200 to 100 yards observing strikes on the fuselage. There was a large flash, pieces fell off and the aircraft spun down obviously out of control. The engagement was broken off as I flew through pieces of the E/A with oil from this ship in my windshield. The engagement was witnessed by Lt Willits and Lt Gonnam and on the basis of their statements and what I saw I claim one Me 109 destroyed.
WILLIAM B. BAILEY,
Maj, AC,
CO, 352nd F Sq.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by William Bailey of the 353rd Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of William Bailey's combat experience.
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