WILLIAM HEGMAN
78th Fighter Group 12/30/1943
A. Type of Action: Combat B. Date: 30 December 1943 C. Unit: 82 nd Fighter Sqdn . D. Time of Attack: 1345 hrs. E. Place of Attack: Reims Area F. Weather: 7 / 10 cloud G. Type of E/A: ME 109 H. Enemy Casualties: One ME 109 destroyed. I. Account of Combat: I was flying Stedman Red Leader in 78-A Group, which was giving withdrawal support to the rear section of the 1 st Task Force of B-17s and B-24 bombers. We got a call on Fighter-Bomber intercom that the front on the bomber force was being attacked and they had no fighter support. We were flying at 25,000 ft., going from the rear to the front to intercept fighters, when Stedman Red #3 called out "Bandits low at 3 o'clock." Not seeing the bandits, I told hi m to lead the bounce. The E/A were flying 180 so we did a diving turn to the right. Lt. Martinez, who was flying Red #3, came out astern of a ME-109. I was above and to the right and fired at him from extreme range of 600-800 yds. and 20 degrees deflection. I was at 19,000 ft. and my air speed was 300 MPH. Just then, another ME-109, which was also below me, broke to the right and went into a shallow dive. I got astern of him, gave a burst and he started smoking. I closed my range to approx. 300 yds. astern and fired again. M y altitude was then 15,000 ft. and my air speed 275 MPH. He was still smoking badly and making gentle turns to the left and then right. I continued firing – noticing strikes and a piece coming off the E/A. He then pulled up and rolled to the right; just then I passed the E/A and, as I did so, I saw either his canopy or the pilot fall away from the ship, just before it started down in a spin – out of control. WILLIAM T. HEGMAN Jr. 1 st Lt., Air Corps
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by WILLIAM HEGMAN of the 78th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of WILLIAM HEGMAN's combat experience.
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