UPL 38894
IMAGEAn 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
Connections
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Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16135677 / O-822168
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-824616
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Locations
- Site type: Airfield
Revisions
Archived by Char Baldridge, Historian, 359th Fighter Group Association.
Posted by Janet Fogg, 359th Fighter Group Historian.
Archived by Char Baldridge, Historian, 359th Fighter Group Association.
Posted by Janet Fogg, 359th Fighter Group Historian.