The Mississippi enterprise. (Jackson, Miss.) 1938-current, 1943-07-03
u. S. Negro Fighter Pilots
Weather First Test
Against Axis Flyers
Miss. Lieutenant Takes
Part In Fight

The Army Air Forces fighter
squadron in North Africa composed
of Negro pilots has weathered its
first aerial combat test, six of its
planes encountering a larger for
nation of German fighters and
damaging two of the enemy with
out loss to themselves, according
to a message to the War Department
today.
This squadron, after careful train
ing in this country and in North
Africa, had previously been in ac-
ton during the air siege of the
island of Pantelleria It's pilots did
patrol duty, escorted heavy bomb
ers and served as fighter bombers
with other units of the tactical air
force over Pantelleria and Lampe-
dusa. However, during the first
half of June they did not have
much chance to show their ability
in test of strength against en-
envy fighters. During that time
they were fired on only once and
when they turned toward the en-
envy aircraft, the latter fled.
On the late afternoon of June 10
came the first engagement in the
air. A flight of six P-40s led by
First Lieutenant Charles w. Dry
den, % years old, of 800 Home
Street, Bronx, New York City was
attacked over Pantelleria, then in
Allied hands, by force of twelve
German FW 1905 trying to raid
the island. Ten more German fight
ers lowered above to protect the
bombers which the FW 1905 were
escorting. In lively encounter
the American Negro flyers parted
the Nazi thrust, damaged two of
the German fighter planes and
forced the remainder to retreat.
First Lieutenant Lee Rayford of
Ardwick, Maryland, said he was
more surprised than alarmed when
his wing was struck by machine
gun and cannon fire in this, his
first flight under the guns of en-
envy aircraft. He brought his ship
back safely.
Lieutenant Colonel B. o. Davis,
Jr., Commanding Officer of the
squadron said, 1T was the first
time any of them ever shot at the
enemy. They gave a good account
of themselves considering the odds
against them and, most important,
they all came back safely"
Lieutenant Dryden who left City
College, New York, where he was
an engineering student, to become
a pilot, said he thought the fight
would give the flyers the confidence
they needed, the confidence that
could not be gained by mere train
ing.
First Lieutenant Sidney p Brooks
of 3009 East j Street, Cleveland,
Ohio, sighted the enemy fighters
oh0xyo ~. for,ooo4iov, anJ xryorpo1
the others just as the FW's dived
to attack
They attacked in formation of
four" said Lieutenant Dryden,
land we counted twelve coming
down on us. Another ten stayed
above as high cover for the enc
my bombers. We turned into them
and they made diving attacks on us
individually. When they started
back up we went with them and
they began a wide circle, with us
after them. Then they broke off
and climbed above us and stayed
there waiting for another chance
to dive on us. We stayed around
until the controller ordered us
home
Second Lieutenant Willie Ashley
Jr., of 212 West Bartlett ST., Sum-
ter, South Carolina said his gas
needle pointed to empty when he
finally landed. The other planes
were all low on gas also.
Lieutenant Rayford said his plane
was hit while he was firing on two
FW 1905. while / was after the
two" he said, :" a third one got
on my tail. That's the first time
I've ever been shot at"
The Americans were too busy to
get close shot at the bombers al
though Lieutenant Dryden fired
one fleeting burst at one of them.
They were unable to state whether
the bombers had reached their OBJ
jectives by Lieutenant Rayford said
he saw at least four bombs strike
water without doing any damage.
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