THREE HUNDRED NINETY FIRST FIGHTER SQUADRON

Office of the Intelligence Officer

APO 151 US Army

16 March 1945.

Statement of Captain Edward L. Rathbun concerning Missing In Action report involving 1st Lt. Thomas D. Cobbe in aircraft AC number 42-28274.

"On 14 March 1945, I was flying Blue Leader on a mission led by Major Brinson, Lt. Cobbe, flying Yellow Leader, received a direct hit with heavy flak about eight miles east of the Rhine below Wesel. I saw the plane burst into flames and spin from about 11000' to 7000', where the spin stopped. The plane righted itself and I lost sight of it at about 2000'. It was approximately a 40° dive and the fire had disappeared when I lost sight of it".

EDWARD L. RATHBUN,

Captain, Air Corps

Thomas D Cobbe