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12th TACTICAL AIR COMMAND HEADQUARTERS, Dec. 20 -Two tactical reconnaissance P-51 pilots—who are supposed to see all and run and not stay there and fight—were still alive and kicking f today after mixing it with 20 ivtE-109s and shooting down two.The Yank airmen were jumped by the enemy recently while fly.ng a mission ahead of the 7th Army front near Germersheim, Ger-many. Capt. Victor J. Gentzler, Rapid City, S. D., was the observer end of the observer-protector and flak-spotter team. Plying with him was 2nd Lt. Frederick L. Koranic, Erie, Pa.”We were sailing along at about 9,000 feet when they dived on us,” Capt. Gentzle.r said. ”We turned into them and Koranic got one right off. I saw it hit the ground.We were still trying to get the hell out of there by runiiing for it, when Koranic radioed he was in trouble with several enemy on his tail. I turned back and there was a whole! swarm of them after him. When X got close enough I didn't give anybody a burst—just lined one up and sat on the button. Eight-hundred rounds was all he could take and he chased.”Then jazzing their Mustangs up to about 450 miles an hour, the two heaaed for home and made it.1vJ.is,t
Newspaper Details
Mediterranean Stars and Stripes
Naples, Naples, IT
Thu, Dec 21, 1944
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Carol K.
OR, USA 26 Jun 2017
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