A Chase Through the Parisian Sky
On August 21, 1944, as the Allies advanced toward Paris, American pilot William Overstreet Jr. of the 357th Fighter Group found himself in a high-speed chase with a German Messerschmitt Bf 109 over Nazi-occupied France. Overstreet, flying a P-51 Mustang, pursued the enemy aircraft as it attempted to escape over the French capital.
A Risky Maneuver Below the Iron Giant
In a desperate move, the German pilot dove beneath the Eiffel Tower, hoping to shake off the American fighter. Instead of breaking off, Overstreet followed the enemy plane, flying directly under the iconic structure. Against the backdrop of the occupied city, he maintained pursuit.
A Victory in the Skies
After the daring maneuver, Overstreet fired on the German aircraft, hitting it before it crashed. His action electrified the French Resistance and boosted morale as Paris neared liberation.
Recognition Decades Later
Years later, Overstreet was honored in France for his actions. Though many dogfights occurred over Europe, this mid-air battle under one of the world’s most famous landmarks became one of the most extraordinary moments of aerial combat in World War II.
During World War II, an American pilot engaged in a daring aerial chase that took him beneath the Eiffel Tower. In August 1944, William Overstreet Jr., flying a P-51 Mustang, pursued a German Messerschmitt Bf 109 over Nazi-occupied Paris, determined to take down the enemy. 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/Z4MnaIEkd9
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