Adlerangriff - Mission #22 : 12th August 1940 - IoW 1200

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Adlerangriff - Mission #22 : 12th August 1940 - IoW 1200

Post by Dickie » Sun Aug 03, 2014 10:13 pm

Squadron: No. 501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron Code: TB
Pilot Name: Osprey
Date: 12 Aug 1940 12 noon, Isle Of Wight
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane 1 100 Oct
Marking: P for Pip
Serial: V6620

Synopsis
Kenley has been extremely busy this morning and the entire Wing was put at 5 mins readiness at the main 'drome at Kenley. FO Teepee was particularly upset by this because "the planned cricket game on the main strip at Gravesend between No.501 and Naval Officers from Rochester Fleet Air Arm would have to be cancelled". "Kenley is too far for them and one can't get good spin on a concrete strip" he complained. "Well what do you expect me to do about it Flying officer? There's a war on and we haven't always time for your cricket games." Deep down I would have loved to give the Royal Navy a damn thrashing, unlike those types I held a very straight bat and was itching to send one of Winkle Brown's flippers through the cover for four runs. I remember Winkle from my Eton days, a difficult spin bowler but I think I had the measure of him since I was one of the openers for the Eton first XI. I used to open with 'Bunter' Thomas and made my first century with him back in 1936 versus our old rivals Harrow, we put on 204 before I was given out lbw on 109 runs, wrongly in my opinion. Bunter went into the Army after our studies, following his father who was a Brigadier General but he was killed with the Blues and Royals at Dunkerque, damn Germans. Winkle of course had his sights on the Fleet Air Arm, I told him that they were second rate and he'd end up flying a Walrus in the ASR but he proved me wrong because he's on Marlets on the Navy's new 'escort' class carriers - terrifying things. "I'm going to bash Jerry for this" exclaimed Teepee, the sudden outburst woke me from my cricketing daydream, he was in a foul mood and walked off to get his kit on, his favourite bat still folded under his arm.

By noon the Luftwaffe were very active, attacks on convoys were going on and we were them all scrambled, 36 fighters from all 3 squadrons. "Hallo tophat, where to? Charlie 3?" I asked control. "Negative Mandrel, set course two four zero to Southampton, angels 16." Well, that was unusual, we were off to bail out those clots down in Sector A again, "240 chaps, save fuel please, there must be a big show going on down in the south". Soon after Panta were re-directed to Brighton, Mandrel and Freema stayed on course. Over the R/T they were having the fun, a whole gaggle of Ju88's without escort and they knocked them for six. "Blast them, BLAST THEM" shouted FO Teepee in a rage on the R/T. Teepee was even more furious that he'd missed this golden party. I agreed but orders were orders. SUre enough the reason for diversion was clear, we had protected the suspect target of the Navy at Portsmouth because Tangmere Wing had LMF again "Yellow bastards" said FO Bonkin. I was inclined to agree, this wasn't the first time we'd been sent down here because Tangmere had 'engine trouble' or 'wrong fuel'. Something was amiss and it was costing lives.

At around 12.40 hrs over the New Forest we were ordered about on and intercept for "30 plus" from ground control. In between the Isle of Wight and Selsley Bill gave us first contact with the enemy, a swarm of Messerschmidts on a similar altitude "Tally ho" I exclaimed and the fight started. I spotted a Hun scoundrel closing in on one of the chaps and called for him to break and hold turn nose slightly down which he duly did and sure enough the persuer broke off. It was the new chap, Red 3 who should've been on my tail, he was straight out of OTU with under 10 hours and here he was in full battle. This experience of escape would certainly be remembered and I'm glad to say he got down in one piece later on. I had picked out a Jerry for myself and caught up with him in a right hand climb after his bounce. I closed fast and let fly at 100 yards setting light to his starboard aileron and punching a hole in his fuel system. He duly dived away and went southward, "Good riddance Fritz" I muttered to myself. I claim this 109 as damaged.

A few minutes later I was lining up another target and selected him, and then I looked behind me as I always do before an attack. To my horror were a pair for Huns inside 150 yards and closing fast! I broke hard and saw tracer fly behind before hearing and feeling a great crunch, it didn't feel like cannon unless Goering had a new weapon. I entered a spin and struggled to hold my kite as I lost altitude, I was now down to 9 thousand feet and I begun to consider getting out and told the chaps on the R/T that "She's a bit of a handful". Then I looked left for some reason and was shocked to see I had lost the port wing! It was now clear, it wasn't a new weapon, the dastardly hun had crashed into me. "The great clot", "typical rotten Jerry trick", "Poorly trained", "Terrible aircraft" I fumed as I inclipped the RT and oxygen before pulling back the canopy - awfully difficult in a spin - now down to 6000ft I could clearly see a ship in detail heading my way, hopefully he's seen me I thought to myself as I undid my Sutton harness and was whipped out. I watched my machine splash in and floated down afterwards. Looking about I could see the Hun rotter who had hit me in pieces and he went in too. ASR was on patrol already and on the scene within minutes, I asked them to go and look for the Jerry who had hit me but they refused, "Too dangerous" was the reply, damn Navy! "Now look here, he may be a Bosh rotter but he's a pilot too. Now turn about and let's look for him", "Aye aye Sir, but only because you are a Wing Commander Sir" - I had pulled rank. We circled his wreckage for 15 minutes, a slick of oil glistened on the surface, then there he was, floating on the surface in a yellow mae west but face down. He was drowned the poor sod, just a boy too. "It says 'Gftr Martin Jas' Sir", we could see on his flight suit as we pulled him on board. "He will receive the proper honours" I said, "that's the British thing to do and what seperates us from Jerry".

After making such arrangements for the dead pilot I got back to Kenley the next day and Cpl Moxey informed me that he'd set about getting me a new kite already. Fine chap.

Claims
Damaged 1x Bf109

Lost
1x Hurricane MkI
Pilot B/O and picked up by ASR

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Re: Adlerangriff - Mission #22 : 12th August 1940 - IoW 1200

Post by Maltloaf » Sun Aug 03, 2014 10:25 pm

Squadron: No.64 Squadron
Squadron code: "SH"
Pilot name: Maltloaf
Date: 12th August 1940
Base: Kenley
Type: Spitfire Ia
Marking: Ink

Synopsis:
Formed up on the tarmac of runway 20 cross wind (again!). Fairly cramped a Sqn take off on a tarmac strip. Not helped by the cross wind (which was coincidently blowing down the other runway (not sure what that runway is for). So cramped that I clipped the wind sock positioned a few feet from the edge of the middle of the runway clearly indicating that the wind was not in our faces, who the hell put that there! So the airfield manager and the met boys are now off the Christmas card list. Limped off and dumped the kite somewhere out the way before looking for another. Of the next three planes I found, two where in the married quarters and one in a wood. Fourth was on the perimeter track and at the downwind end of the airfield so I hopped in that and took off across the grass to follow the now distant and much depleted Sqn.

Eventually caught up with the Sqn over Selsey Bill and became embroiled with a pair of 109s at 20k. Fight ended at sea level with me with a busted engine and them with a few holes (I think). Made a good belly landing in a big open field and walked home.

On the serious side guys. I have flown with the Sqn four times now and am waiting with baited breath for a takeoff that does not involve full right stick and playing the rudder peddles like a church organ.



Claims :
Destroyed: NTR
Probable: NTR
Damaged: 1 x 109 (maybe)

Pilot: OK
A/C: Needs work
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Re: Adlerangriff - Mission #22 : 12th August 1940 - IoW 1200

Post by Kev » Sun Aug 03, 2014 10:38 pm

Squadron: No.615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: Kev
Call sign: Red 2
Date: 12th August 1940
Base: Kenley
Time: 12.00 hours
Type: Hurricane 1a Rotol
Marking: L - London
Serial Number: V6618


Synopsis:

A large raid had been detected by RDF giving us plenty of time to respond. Panta Sqn was ordered to start engines and line up for a wing scramble behind Mandrel Sqn. We took off in flights with Red at the front, Blue behind and yellow high to the rear. I took up my assigned position and began scanning the skies.

We climbed to approx 12,000 feet and turned over the coast to meet the incoming En Formation. We sighted the enemy in sector AN15 where we observed 3 flights of Ju88’s without fighter escort!!

Red leader called Tally Ho!! And I followed him attacking the rear right hand side enemy wing. I selected a Ju88 and held him nice and steady in the gun sight ignoring his friends blazing away at me. I fired a three second burst in to his rear fuselage and engines. The En A/C immediately lurched and oil belched out with coolant. That one was not going home. I called out for confirmation but the other chaps had their hands full. It’s very rare the Huns make a bad mistake like sending an unescorted raid so we were all concentrating on inflicting a severe defeat on the enemy!!

I lost sight of red leader as I positioned for another energy attack on the bombers. I slammed the throttle through the dashboard and screamed down on a second Ju88 of the same flight. His friends had got my range this time despite my very high speed. I flinched at the sound of rounds hitting the front of my aircraft but by then I’d closed the gap sufficiently and fired 2x 3 second bursts at my opponent. I observed good strikes on both engines and rear fuselage. The En A/C began to drop out of formation with oil and coolant pouring out.

I banked hard to the right and climbed to make a third pass when the engine made a threatening groan!! Good Lord!! The Huns had hit the coolant system!! I was fairly close to the coast so I chose to attack again. I selected the nearest En A/C from the same fight and drove straight for him, opening fire at a much longer range than I normally would and continued to fire until he filled my windscreen!! By the time I dived underneath it was quite clear that the Hun wasn’t going home that evening. Filthy smoke was pouring out and he was breaking formation.

I now signalled red leader and informed him that I was damage and returning to base. I checked the controls and found the engine was in poor order. I opened the radiator to full but it was very apparent I wasn’t going to get very far. I made a decision to land at Wilmington, as that was the closest airfield. I’d just got the wheels done when the engine stopped. I Glided down but ran out of energy just before approach and ended up splashing down in the river just before the airfield. Still I was down safe and well even though my Hurricane seemed to have transferred to the Navy!!

Bloody good show today. The Huns took a right beating and that can’t be good for their morale. I’d like to be a fly on the wall in that German mess tonight.


Claims:


Destroyed: Nil
Probable: 3x Ju88
Damaged: Nil
Losses: V6618 Hurricane Mk1a: New undercarriage, new radiator, new
Propeller, Minor structural repairs.


Pilot: A1

End Report

SAC Kev 615 Sqn
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Alderangriff-Mission #22

Post by Katt » Sun Aug 03, 2014 10:53 pm

Squadron: No. 615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: Katt
Date: 12 August 1940
Time: 1200hrs
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane 1A 100 Octane
Marking: A

Synopsis

Launched with Blue section as Blue 2 on the wing of the section leader Random. Intercept went smoothly and Blue section engaged a formation of JU88's from above and at approximately their four oclock. Section lead attacked from above while I took the low approach, striking two of the the enemy aircraft. Both emitted black smoke from their number two engines. My aircraft was struck by defensive fire and the engine damaged. Another attempted attach on the second enemy formation resulted in no visible damage and I attempted to RTB but the engine quit approximately one half mile off shore and I went into the water.

Claims
Destroyed: 0
Probable: 2x JU88's
Damaged: 0

Losses
Pilot: Wet, swam to shore
A/C: Lost
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Re: Adlerangriff - Mission #22 : 12th August 1940 - IoW 1200

Post by Random » Sun Aug 03, 2014 10:56 pm

Squadron: No.615 Squadron
Squadron code: "KW"
Pilot name: Random
Date: 12th August 1940
Base: Kenley
Type: Hurribus 1a
Marking: N

Synopsis:

Took off in good order for once and formed up in the circuit. Turned south for Beachy head and vectored towards a large group of aircraft mid channel

To our surprise we met with zero fighter opposition but lots of big fat JU88's. Blue section dived in on the lead group of 12 and tore into them. Johnnie is proving himself to be a right little pyromaniac. He seemed to set half the enemy aflame on his own. I made a few passes on JU88's one was damaged, leaking fluids and one caught alight and started a diving turn to the left. We seemed to have got all of this group so turned our guns on the main group. Another 2 passes saw another 2 JU88's wheeling off in flames from my guns but one gunner got lucky and I suffered hits to the rudder wires. Without rudder control my next two attacks were completely innefective and had just about decided to call it a day when I took rounds in the nether regions and my rad started to leak.

Immediately broke off and watched in disbelief as 615 took the hun apart. Not one of our guys lost, and not a single bomber made it to blighty. Heard baron had to ditch just short of Folkstone, but everyone else seems to have made it home intact. I managed to glide back to gatwick and make a successful deadstick landing.

Claims :
Destroyed: 0
Probable: 3 x JU88
Damaged: 1x JU88

Pilot: OK
A/C: New engine needed

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Re: Adlerangriff - Mission #22 : 12th August 1940 - IoW 1200

Post by Bunny » Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:20 pm

Squadron: No. 501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron Code: "SD"
Pilot Name: Flying Officer Bunny
Date: 12th Aug 1940
Time: 1200
Base: RAF Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane Mk 1a (100 Oct)
Marking: "N" for Nuts
Serial Number: P3084

Synopsis:

Led by the indefatigable FO Bonkin as Green Leader, myself and PO Bully charged into battle with a healthy mix of trepidation, excitement, and a belly-full of Sydney Camm's Marvel Machine - a rough and ready brew, new to the mess bar. The three B's were well and truly fuelled up for the grueling mission.

Avoiding the wing someone had dropped on the runway, and the pesky wind socks, we were soon airbourne, flying in perfect formation to meet the scum in the sky - bombers heading to the south of the country, intent in dealing their deadly loads of munitions on our coastal defences.

At 20,000ft we had notification of 30+ enemy heading our way, so a high patrol in readiness to meet them was the order of the day. Luckily it gave me time to educate the less-well learned of 501 about the intricacies of navigation. I helped the new chap Carl, in particular - he had no idea where the Isle of Wight was! Fortune was upon him for flying with 501, and so with the alacrity and clarity I was lucky enough to be born with, I gave him a quick geography lesson which should have put his mind at rest, and I only had to glance down a couple of times at my trusty pilot socks, with their handy L and R markings. FO Teepee seemed slightly obfuscated at one stage, but I think he also was helped by my short lesson.

We circled over the Needles, and headed East - no sign of the horrid hun. Then, just after passing the East coast of the island, contacts were called out - 109s! If they'd come for a navigational lesson, I was fully prepared to show them one direction in particular - down! Like a tenacious sheep tick, I stuck to our valiant Green leader's 4 o'clock (or was it his 8 o'clock, as I was upside down most of the time), as he hurled his incredulous Hurricane around like a man possessed! I could see PO Bully also with us - the three B's hurtling into the eye of the storm, ready to deal death to any in our path. Whilst keeping an eye on Bonkin's six, I somehow must have missed an enemy amongst us, as before I knew, I had a small fire onboard my trusty Hurricane. Bully confirmed I was indeed on fire, so with regret I notified them both that I had to land, and would make for Sandown on the Isle of Wight. I did not see the enemy who did for my crate, no tracers, so can only assume it was stray fire, a lucky shot from some lucky hun.

Upset to leave my fellow pilots battling it out above me, I coasted for a short while, realising I would have to make RAF Bembridge instead, as it was closer. It was then that a cheeky hun decided to use me for target practice! Yellow tracers whipped past the cockpit, hitting my starboard wing. He flew past and up, then around for another shot! I put a call out - PO Robo replied, asking for my location, but I hasten to say I was slow in responding as my head was throbbing with the heat from the fire, and thoughts were not coming clearly. Twice more this yellow nosed and bellied rotter tried to down me, the instrument panel looked like a colander - I have no idea how he missed me! At 1,000ft he finally pulled off and away, and I made it wheels down.

I let the lads know I was down safely, and thanks for the concern, despite their own problems in the air. FO Teepee yawped out 'Last man down gets the beers!' - turns out he was also out for a duck. With a certain amount of chagrin, I left P3084 on the grass outside a lovely little cottage belonging to an old and kind Mrs Pemberton, who'd brought me out the most perfect mug of tea and some home-made shortbread biscuits. I told her she'd make a perfect CO, left a note pinned to the windscreen of my aircraft, and headed for the nearest pick up point for the crew bus back to Kenley.

Arriving back I found the rest of the motley crew in fine song, standing around a pile of burning wood. "Piano?" I asked. "Harpsichord", they replied in unison, bottles of Badgers swinging from their hands, grins on their oil-stained and ruddy faces. "Run out of pianos apparently" volunteered Teepee, "Had to make do...there is a war on after all you know", he finished with, grinning. A bottle of Badgers was thrust in my hand, and the stories began.

Claims
None

Aircraft: Wheels down landing at RAF Bembridge, Isle of Wight. Engine seized after small fire.
Pilot: Okay, fuming at the arse who wouldn't let me land.
Last edited by Bunny on Wed Aug 06, 2014 9:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Adlerangriff - Mission #22 : 12th August 1940 - IoW 1200

Post by Mauf » Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:50 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: SD
Pilot name: Mauf
Date: 12th of August, 1940
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane I
Marking: "D for Don"
Serial number: LI898

Synopsis:


Claims:
Confirmed: 0
Probable: 0
Damaged: 0

Losses:
AC: Down
Pilot: Dead

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Re: Adlerangriff - Mission #22 : 12th August 1940 - IoW 1200

Post by Donkey » Mon Aug 04, 2014 12:01 am

Squadron: No.615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: Donkey
Call sign: Yellow 2
Date: 12th August 1940
Base: Kenley
Time: 12.00 hours
Type: Hurricane 1a Rotol
Marking: P - Papa

Synopsis:

As soon as I got orders to taxi I rolled out after yellow 2 and had a hand-of-God moment when another hurricane suddenly warped out of nowhere and took my starboard wing off.
Hopped out unhurt and quickly got into another kite (aka re-spawned), but by the time that was done there were 15 or so dainty little spitfires on the track in front of me and I had to wait for them to get on the runway and then their spindly-legged arses (slowly) airborne whilst 615 disappeared over the horizon towards what was called out as "Dungeness" but what was in fact Beachy Head.
Finally got into the sky, turned to 180 degrees and climbed to 20,000 feet hoping to follow yellow 1 and 3 who were reporting at that altitude. Sadly though, despite being directly in what sounded like the area of action I could not find sight or sound of 615 or indeed the bomber feast that the Luftwaffe had kindly provided.
After spending a fruitless age arsing about between 10 and 20,000 feet off the south coast of Brighton I finally turned north and put her down in Wilmington without a single round fired.

Claims:


Destroyed: Nil
Probable: Nil
Damaged: Nil
Losses: Nil
Propeller, Nil


Pilot: Ok, fuming

End Report

*On an aside this evening was pretty much written off for me due to the severe warping at Kenley which resulted in my having to respawn and then missing the flight, the fight and the fun. I'm guessing that this is a server load issue (I understand we had close to 30 planes all taking off from the seam airfield) - would splitting the squadrons over different start airfields make a difference? It would certainly have helped in terms of my finding 615 this evening as I was delayed by what seemed like an age waiting for the spits to go. Is it even feasible to split the squadrons in this way? Please note I'm not complaining about my bad luck this evening, and am happy to be told that we bluntly can't split the squadrons, but I'm curious as to if it's possible (it would help in getting everyone in the air quicker - although I guess we are then in a situation where different squadrons have potentially significantly further to fly to reach the action).

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Re: Adlerangriff - Mission #22 : 12th August 1940 - IoW 1200

Post by Spud » Mon Aug 04, 2014 1:37 am

Squadron: No. 615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: WK
Pilot Name: Spud
Date: 08/12/1940
Time: 1200 hrs.
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane
Marking: R
Serial number: N2335

Synopsis:
Back at home in beautiful Kenley. It's good to be back at the home field. I wasn't sure how long we were going to make it
without going to fists with those bloody Fat Catters at Tengmere. I had a good night's rest for the first time in a while.
Many of the boys went to the local pub last night but I was just too tired. Sleep was calling my name and I answered. In the morning I went down to the mess for toast and tea and ran into Flt. Sgt. Siddich. He told me that I would be flying with his element today as number 3 and that we would be placed at 10 minutes readiness soon. So as soon as I finished my tea, I grabbed my flying kit and headed down to the flight line. The ground crew had given KW R a thorough going over and everything was in fine shape. After my pre-flight inspection, I decided to stretch out under the wing and enjoy the sunshine. Soon the rest of the Squadron filtered in and took care of their pre-flights. Once everyone was ready, Sqd Ldr. Hawes called us all together and gave out our assignments. I would be flying as Yellow 3 with Siddich as lead, Donkey in 2 and Baron in 4. Yellow Flight would be high cover for Red and Blue flights, which would go after the bombers. After some final instructions from the boss about radio procedures and forming up, I had just enough time for one quick smoke before strapping in.

Start up, taxi and departure went without a hitch and I tucked in on Yellow 1's four o'clock as we climed out for
Wilmington. We leveled off at Angels 20.5 which positioned us on the high seven o'clock of the rest of the Squadron. Enroute
we lost Yellow 2 and Yellow 4. Baron joined up with Blue flight and Donkey departed late after some aircraft trouble but never caught up. That left just Siddich and I up in the "Eagles Nest" to watch over the rest of the flight. 3.5 lbs boost, 2400 rpm, rads 50%. My merlin was purring like a proverbial kitten as we sliced through the cold thin air; waiting to pounce.

At 1230 hrs, Blue flight spotted the enemy formation of bombers. There were 3 flights of JU-88's coming head on at about
Angels 12. Siddich and I stayed high, scanning for fighter cover. Was I blind? I could see no fighters. This can't be..... They wouldn't be this foolish......... But nothing was to be seen. It was a rare treat. A huge flight of JU-88's without escort below us . We circled around the back of the Bombers and confirmed that there was no fighter escort. Red and Blue flights were well engaged and I saw 2 bombers already spinning to the ocean in flames. Both shot by Johnny. I swear that guy is an aerial sniper!! Not wanting to miss out on the fun, Siddich and I dove in. Baron got one in flames as we took the right side of the rear formation and let them have it. Siddich scored quick hits on his bomber which quickly started venting glycol and oil. I zeroed in on the next 88 to the left. I put the pipper on the right engine and gave it a good squirt. Parts flew away and
the engine quickly caught fire as I pulled up and right to come around for another pass. Looking over my shoulder, I watched
the crew bale out as Katt confirmed my kill.

Looping over the top, I looked down at the bombers as I readied myself for my second pass. The sky was a mass of burning
bombers surrounded by looping and diving Hurricanes. Yes, 615 was really giving them hell today. There was no way these
bombers were getting through to their targets. I rolled wings level and picked out my next victim. For a split second, I
almost felt sorry for the bomber and its crew. Did they know they only had moments left to live? Were they scared and
thinking of their home and families? Then Siddich called out that he was damaged and RTB. This snapped me back to reality. I offered to escort him home but he said he would be okay and ordered me to continue the fight. With that I closed in and let
loose on the bomber that hit Siddich from max convergence; DeWilde and armor piercing rounds thudding into the bomber's left engine and front office as it burst into smoke and flame. "That's what you get for shooting my leader", I yelled aloud as I pulled off target and watched him break away from the formation.

Starting my third pass, there were 6 bombers left. Many of my 615 mates were RTB due to damage or lack of ammunition. Only Hollywood and I remained to finish them off. I tucked in on his seven o'clock and watched him hammer the right-most bomber; smoke pumping the life blood out of the left hand engine. Now it was my turn again. I picked the next bomber to the left and pulled the trigger. Venting this bomber, I passed underneath and broke around to the right.

On my fourth pass, Hollywood and I traded places, finishing off each others bombers from the previous pass. Now there were
only four of them left. I knew I was running low on ammo, but I wouldn't head for home until every last round was in an
enemy bomber.

Coming in on my fifth pass, I saw Hollywood got the left most bomber smoking. I settled in on the one to the right of it and
poured lead into his left engine and wing. Venting fuel and smoking, he had nowhere to go but down to a watery grave.

Circling around for my sixth pass, the sight was incredible. Only three bombers were left flying and only one of those
wasn't venting. Picking the right side again, I let loose. I was on my residual as incindiary tracers flew out of my
Brownings and slammed into the right hand engine of the bomber, setting it alight. Pulling up high, I took a position to
observe and cover Hollywood's next run. He was breaking left and climbing; his latest victim smoking. I also saw the bomber
I hit on my previous run spiraling tightly to the left as it burned towards it's watery end. Hollywood continued in a grand
barrel roll and got one more smoking in a climbing attack that was perfectly executed. That left one 88 undamaged. I
knew I only had a couple of rounds left, but I wasn't going to bring them home with me....... So I went in for one final run.

As I approached on my seventh pass, the pilot of the 88 must have noticed that all of his comrades were gone. He entered a
right hand turn, pickled his bombs off in the ocean and made for home. The last of my rounds peppered his tail as I pulled
away. Hollywood finished him off as I headed for home.

I pulled the power back and leveled off at Angels 10 and settled in for a nice flight back to Kenley. The battle was still
raging near the Isle of Wight when I landed so after a quick R and R by the ground crew, I was back in the air.

Climbing to Angels 15, I approached the Isle of Wight but all the action had stopped. I saw a single 109 heading for France so I decided to give chase. I was catching up very slowly as I settled into my low six o'clock attack position. The 109 never knew I was there. But it was taking too damn long to catch him. Finally, I flicked off the reflector sight, rolled right and headed for
home. I had enough killing for one day. There's one Jerry pilot out there that doesn't know how lucky he really was......


Claims
Destroyed: 3 Ju-88's (2 shared with Hollywood)
Probable : 4 Ju-88's
Damaged:

Losses:
Pilot: OK
A/C: Ok
Yes........ I AM what's wrong with the world today....... Deal with it!!

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Re: Adlerangriff - Mission #22 : 12th August 1940 - IoW 1200

Post by Siddich » Mon Aug 04, 2014 2:11 am

Squadron: No.615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: Siddich
Date: 12 Aug 1940 12:00 Beachy Head area
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane 1a 100 Oct
Marking: H for Harry

Synopsis:

After a well organised take off, I took of as Yellow 1 with Spud as 3 and Baron as 4. Donkey (Yellow 2) had some technical issues and had to take off after No.64. Therefore he couldn't catch up, with the rest of the flight, as we had our orders to get to a enemy group of bombers near Beachy Head as fast as possible.

So we formed up on the rest of our squadron in the circuit.Whilst climbing to get to our designated position as a hight cover, Baron lost sight to us and formed up with blue flight. So me and my new number 2 Spud climbed up to about 20.000 feet, and managed to get a good overlook over the rest of the squad, to call out any incoming 109s. When we finally reached a big formation of Ju-88s, Hawes ordered Red and Blue to engage the bombers. Yellow should stay high and get prepared to engage 109s, as we had some nasty surprises in the missions before. To our disbelief we did not find any enemy fighters - the bombers where totally uncovered, so we dove down from almost 20.000 feet to attack those bastards.

With a mind-blowing speed of almost 350 m.p.h. we reached the allready severly chipped group of bombers and gave them a nice welcome with our .303 Brownings. I pulled up and saw some bolts flashing up on the side of my fuselage near the wings. Everything still running fine I dove down again, just to see, Johnny set one more bomber on fire (he did a great job, as I have to mention here). My second target was a bomber flying on the front of the last remaining formation. I pulle the trigger and saw a few chunks of metall falling of his wing and engine. The Junkers immediately lost oil on one of the engines and dove out of formation. As before i pulled up to the the side again, when i felt a stabbing pain in my left shoulder. One of the enemy gunners had hit me and also the engine of my the Hurricane. I saw black oil damp coming out of the exhaust pipes and had to disengage the enemy as fast as possible to get home. I pushed the stick down to get away from the bombers and reduced my r.p.m. as much as possible to avoid any overheating, but only a few seconds after that my engine suddenly stopped with a loud "bang". I reported my problems to the squad and immediatelly got asked by Spud, if he should give me an escort home. At first, I was glad to hear this offer and wanted to accept it gratefully but as there were still so many of those huns in the air, I told him to keep on attacking.

Now I had to glide to the nearest airfield, which I identified as Wilmington. I closed my radiator and reduced my speed to 120 m.p.h., as I was still some miles over water. You don't know, how good it feels, to fly over hard British soil, after getting shot at, over the Channel - unless you made the same experience. Althought my windscreen had oil all over it and even thought my arm was bleeding, I managed to pump down my landing gear and set my lil plane down on the runway without using the flaps.

As I was sitting there on the runway, waiting for the ambulance to pull me out of my cockpit, I heard the success of our mission. Hollywood and Spud finished of the rest of those bombers (great teamwork, guys).
This means, that our squadron managed to repel 3 flights of German Ju-88s, without losing one pilot. Most of us received damage to the plane, and were forced to ditch or land somewhere, but no one died. All of us will jump into a new or repaired plane to fight again, as soon, as it is necessary.

Claims
Damaged 2 x Ju 88

AC: dead engine
Pilot: slightly wounded

Locked