WWII HEROES STORIES: Edward “Eddie” K. Simpson | P-51 Mustang | Flying Panther

Описание: The 357th Fighter Group entered combat over Fortress Europe against the potent German Luftwaffe in February 1944. “Eddie” Simpson soon became one of the 363rd Fighter Squadron’s rising stars. His aggressiveness in the air and superb flying abilities made him a favorite in the Squadron. Bill Overstreet remembers, “He was a good stick and guys just wanted to fly with him.” By the summer of 1944, the 357th Fighter Group had become one of the fiercest units in the Eighth Air Force Fighter Command. Several 357th FG pilots, including Simpson, were scoring victories against the Luftwaffe rapidly. By August, “Eddie” Simpson had nearly finished his combat tour having achieved four and one half enemy aircraft destroyed, but his luck ran out on the afternoon of August 10, 1944, over the skies of Sens, France.
Eddie came from flying school to the 363rd Fighter Squadron at Tonopah, Nevada, in the spring of 1943. He was assigned to my Flight and we flew P-39s in training for combat. The 357th Fighter Group deployed overseas to England where we were assigned to the 8th Air Force and received the P-51 Mustang. Eddie flew in action in my flight and later was made a Flight leader.

Eddie was such a likable easygoing person. He was a superb pilot and a team member. Very dependable, always right there where you wanted him all the time. He was officially credited with 4 1/4 aerial kills. We were close friends.

While I was in the US for R & R during the summer of 1944, Capt. Simpson was involved in a mid-air collision with squadron mate Lt. Don Ferron, west of Sens, France. Lt. Ferron didn’t make it. Simpson survived the midair but was later killed by Germans while attempting to escape with the French underground.

His P-51, named “The Flying Panther,” was “purchased” by the school children from East Orange High School, New Jersey, through the sale of war bonds. His early P51B aircraft was named “All-Away II” after the horse he owned and rode before the war.