media-38894.jpeg UPL 38894 An Ace with 4 aerial victories and 3 ground, Capt. William F. Collins of Jonesville, WI, enlisted on 15 October 1942. Assigned to the 369th Fighter Squadron on 2 August 1944, he flew 56 combat missions before ending his tour of duty on 22 September 1945.

Photo L-R: Capt. Robert S. Gaines Jr. and Capt. William F. Collins.

31 December 1944: At month’s end, on the morning of the 31st, general hysteria was in command at East Wretham. A late Field Order, an anticipated ground fog and a generally eager desire to get up snafued things until 0855 when Ray Wetmore and Niven Cranfill led 54 aircraft off to R/V over the North Sea with a force of bombers out to smash the aircraft assembly plant at Wenzendorf and subsequently to engage a small part of the GAF in a highly entertaining air battle SW of Hamburg. Ray got his 19th and shared another one with his wingman Werner Ruschenberg, a new pilot off to a fine start. In the 368th, George Baker had himself a double for his fourth and fifth kills. Billy Collins and Arthur Morris, separated from the rest of their 369th Squadron, ran into 15 FW-190s and shot down four. Each got one and together they knocked down two more in a remarkable display of teamwork. In all claims were 12-1/2 - 0-1 for no loss, the highlight in a bright day and best job of the month. ~ Excerpt from the December 1944 359th Fighter Group History 359th Fighter Group collection

Archived by Char Baldridge, Historian, 359th Fighter Group Association.
Posted by Janet Fogg, 359th Fighter Group Historian.