Notice: Ads help support our website operation, if you would like to turn them OFF for this visit;
Step into D-Day through the eyes of Captain Michael Gladych, whose harrowing combat report from June 6, 1944 reveals the split-second decisions and aerial dogfights that helped secure Allied victory. This firsthand account captures the raw intensity of a Polish fighter pilot's encounter with German Me-109s over the Normandy invasion.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTY FIRST FIGHTER SQUADRON
AAF STATION F-150, APO 637
U. S. ARMY
Encounter Report
VIII Fighter Command F.O. No. 372
Capt. B. M. Gladych
Whippet Red Three
a. Combat (air)
b. 6 June, 1944
c. 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group
d. 2100
e. Croisy
f. 5/10 at 2,000 ft.
g. Me-109
h. Me-109 destroyed
i. I was flying Red 3 to Capt. Rutkowski. We were circling the convoy on the road when I saw 4 a/c which I thought were Me-109’s. I called my flight leader and dove on them. After about 2 minutes chase I was close enough to recognize them as P-51’s. I started to turn, as I intended to rejoin the squadron, when I saw 4/5 Me-109’s coming from the East at about 100 ft. I reversed my turn to meet them. The nearest one of the e/a apparently spotted me against the ground and peeled toward me in a shallow dive. The rest of them proceeded to climb in a wide slight turn. I turned with the attacking e/a and had not difficulties in closing on it. I had switched the water on and after a couple of seconds began to overtake the e/a. I slid on the outside and then kicked the bottom rudder getting on the enemy’s tail. I fired, didn’t see the strikes, but e/a reacted by tightening the turn. I pulled some more deflection and gave him another burst. The e/a spun and hit the ground. In the meantime the remaining e/a were scared by 8 P-51’s which came from the South. I tried to get another of the Me-109’s of the bunch. I pulled up, closed from underneath and astern and fired a short burst at the last one. The Hun emitted some black smoke but kept flying. I abandoned the pursuit because my gas was running low. I headed for home flying on the deck.
I claim one Me-109 destroyed.
j. 307 rds .50 cal A.P. & I.
B. M. GLADYCH
Captain, P.A.F.
