Mission 17: August 26th 1940

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Mission 17: August 26th 1940

Post by Dickie » Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:08 pm

24th August 1940
Mission 16 (Sat 26/01/13):
Home Airfield: RAF Ford
Aircraft: SD-K for King, Hurricane Mk.I L2329

Still based down at RAF Ford, a pleasant little field on the coast once owned by the RNAS but now handed over to the gallant RAF. No.501 were brought to readiness when the boffins from our RDF stations started to detect the rumblings from Jerry over Cherbourg again. They seem to like spreading their attacks rather then going for a single objective the silly buggers. After being held on the runway for what seemed like an age we were finally scrambled and ordered to climb to angels 15 on 230 degrees. On the R/T we had heard our so called cover, No.64 squadron, had managed to find a fight well short of the bombers so brave No.501 had to go it alone again. Then command ordered a turn on 270 and to watch our left flank, sure enough after a few minutes we spotted over 50 Huns heading north. I ordered the chaps to pull the tit and head full bore into the enemies front - I hear they hate the head on attack. Holding the squadron on course I waited until the last moment to break to port into the gaggle. Passing through at speed in excess of 250 mph I fired on a leader He-111 but I don't know if I hit him, close behind there were further bombers, lining up the next I fired a squirt into his face scoring hits all over his front, I swear I saw the glass shatter and the nose gunner fall out! I claim this He-111 as damaged. I was not out of the thick mass of bombers yet and had time to push on the rudder bar and give a squirt to one of the tail of the group. I hit him in the engine and glycol poured out. I don't know what happened to him but I think he would have struggled to get home so I will claim a probable. Unfortunately during attack the hail of accurate return fire seemed give me some problems as I noticed some loss in fuel pressure and my temperatures started to rise. I swung my machine around and decided to make a final run at Jerry before a pancake at the best airfield I could make as I knew my machine wouldn't last long. I was 1/2 a mile behind and closing fast when I noticed a 109 trying to slip in behind me. I waited to be sure but could see his yellow nose and was closing in. I waited for the last moment to break and pulled hard left in a climbing turn watching him all the way, he fired but was shooting behind me. I was ready to fight but then my oil gasket blew and I lost power, I decided to dive away and hope that he wouldn't follow, which is exactly what happened. As I lined up for a pancake on Ventnor airfield I lost all power and my hydraulics ceased - damn, there I was 200 ft up heading into land with one wheel from the undercart still up! Too late to raise the other, too late to pump the other down and no power to go around I had no choice but to handle the pancake as best I could. I could see a man in the control tower run out and fire off a red Very light, ground crew waving their arms at me. "Why aren't the fools in their bunkers?" I thought. Back to concentration, 100 ft, 50 ft, 25, 10 and a gentle touch before I fell away onto the starboard wing and my machine immediately swung right as the tip hit the surface and broke away. My straps dug in and I cut up a lot of mud but was ok - the Hurricane is a tough machine. The RAF based here were nice chaps and got me out and carried me away for a check over even though I insisted I was fine. I asked to use the telephone to report in and arranged a transport back to Gravesend as soon as possible in order that the buggers don't try and sell off my personal belongings!!

Claims
1 x He111 probable
1 x He111 damaged

Losses
1x Hurricane damaged

Urizen
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Re: Mission 17: August 26th 1940

Post by Urizen » Sat Jan 26, 2013 11:09 pm

24th August 1940
Mission 16 (Sat 26/01/13):
Home Airfield: RAF Kenley
Aircraft: SH-K for King, Spitfire MkIIa


Arrived on Kenley today, after my "holiday" in the Hospital. It will feel good to be back in action finally. That fat nurse Rita sure got on me nerves.

There she stood, my beautiful spitfire, armed, fueled and ready to pounce on the hun. We got orders to babysit 501, hopefully we don´t have to change diapers. "Keep those bloody hun 109s off our arses!". Hah, afraid of real action are we.

We quickly proceeded to the runway. I took off as Red 2, circling the airfield waiting for pink flight. We then headed south climbing all the way, before we were vectored by RDF towards the IOW. By that time, Red 4 and Red 3 had a little collision in the air, taking both out of action. Heading west we spotted bombers and soon afterwards, 109s. Altitude looking good, we engaged. Staying with Red 1 most of the time, we evaded multiple passes of 109s.
One Hun was pushing Red 1´s six, i quickly engaged and gave him a good burst, but i don´t know if my deflection was spot on or not. He was venting though (i claim that 109 as damaged). He disengaged and dove down, deciding not to pursue i tried to locate Red 1. After a minute or two, i reformed on my leader, where we decided to have a go at the bombers. As we were over the IOW, i got engaged by a 109, i could hear the bullets impacting my frame, sending my plane shaking. I broke away, receiving minor damage. Red 1 and I came under fire. A 109 bounced Red 1, but luckily didn´t damage him. While i was tracking that 109, 2 109s managed to get on Red 1´s six, taking him out in an instant. 1 of the 109s collided with him, serves you right, you friggin´ hun! I found myself alone very fast, as the hun seemed to focus his attention on someone else. I revectored towards Gosport, looking out for those bombers. I spotted flak just slight west of Selsey and went to investigate. More 109s! I engaged a pair of 109s, giving the wingman a load of my .30cal, only to find out that my right mgs stopped working, leaving me scratching the wingtip of that bloody hun.
From that moment on i had to fight for my life, break after break after break. What in reality were maybe 2-4 huns, felt like a fucking clusterfuck of huns. Unable to go on the offense, i called out for help. Because of the Intensity and the adrenaline flooding my veins, i totally lost orientation of where i am. My trusty Spit received hit after hit, not giving in to the hun, but the last pass of the hun ruptured my fuel tanks. As a last resort, i dove, i dove for my life towards ford. Seeing the water coming near....

Pilot: sleeping with the fishes
Plane: SH-K on the bottom of the channel
Claims: 1 109 probably damaged
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Bounder
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Re: Mission 17: August 26th 1940

Post by Bounder » Sun Jan 27, 2013 2:20 am

24th August 1940
Mission 16 (Sat 26/01/13):
Home Airfield: RAF Kenley
Aircraft: SH-B; Spitfire MkIIa

64 went from Kenley today, fielding 9 spitfires split into Red and Pink section. I flew as Red1, with Urizen as my wingman, Yranac, Binkitone and a guest pilot from another squadron as Red3,4&5. We got up quickly and followed orders to fly toward Brighton and then vector toward the main enemy group. On route two Spitfires collided, and Yranac was forced to bail. Arriving over Brighton, radar appeared to show that the enemy had at least 3 squadrons of 109s, at angels 23, flying a fighter sweep well ahead of the main group - the bomber formation (+40) with a close fighter escort. I took the squadron on a course and flanked the forward 109s in order to intercept the main group containing the bombers. However, during our flanking manoeuvre command decided that we were now to escort a group of Hurricanes from 401 who were miles away inland. If only command could have given us these orders earlier, perhaps after take off since this now really put is in a spot - we now had to double back and cross all the forward 109 squadrons we had flanked. We followed orders and in doubling back we were pushed into the forward enemy fighters. As we came into contact with one squadron, we quickly found them all converging on us and there was no support in sight. With one 109 squadron ahead, one closing from behind and one from the side we did what we could. I got one 109 into my gunsight but he nose bunted away. As soon as I got another in my gun sight I had to go evasive as others dropped onto me. The skies were swarming with 109s. We had requested help but I did not see any other allied fighters arrive. With a couple trailing me I went evasive and Urizen cleared my six, I witnessed his 30 cals smash a 109 who broke off heavily damaged and went down. With so many 109s in the area I quickly found another dropping into my reticle and I opened fire, lighting him up - the 109 went limp and went down venting (claim: 109 destroyed - probable). The squadron was split over the area desperately fighting for our lives heavily outnumbered. Urizen reformed with me and we vectored across the Isle of Wight coming into contact with the large bomber formation. Urizen and I attempted to position ourselves over the bombers to protect the Hurricane squadrons who were inbound. At angels 18 over the enemy bombers we were bounced by a number of 109s, as I evaded one a second got hits into my cockpit and as things went black a third fired and then appeared to collide, flying through me unscathed.


Pilot: sleeping with the fishes
Plane: SH-B on the bottom of the channel
Claims: 1 109 destroyed - probable
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Robo
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Re: Mission 17: August 26th 1940

Post by Robo » Sun Jan 27, 2013 12:08 pm

24th August 1940
Mission 16 (Sat 26/01/13):
Home Airfield: RAF Ford
Aircraft: SD-X for X-Ray, Hurricane Mk.I

Still with my good old No.501 Squadron, we've been stationed at RAF Ford on the south coast, meaning we'd be the ones right on the frontline. It was just short before 16:00 when we got 'the' call and were brought to readiness, just five of us, but well determined. It took them forever to order us to scramble, I was switching my engine on and off again for I was very nervous. And tired. There it goes - scramble scramble scramble. Bombers in IoW area, Angels 12, no bloody Spitfires to help us out - brilliant. We outclimbed the bombers by some 2000-3000 feet and looked out for the Hun escort. Then S/Ldr. Osprey spotted them - THERE THEY ARE, 10 O'CLOCK LOW - 40+. Bloody hell, really, a massive formation of twin engines staggered in 3 large groups. And there were the snappers around, too, but well above the bombers and on their far side. Tally ho! said everybody with calm voice, pulled the plug, closed the canopy and in we went head-on in the formation. Nil time, fear nothing! I focused on one of the machines in the very front, closing in what seemed like a mile every second. I could see the fear in the Nazi bombers as we closed in as the pilots prayed we would go for the machine next to them and visible hesitated to change direction, wiggling a bit. One of them couldn't take it and pushed hard and broke away and in he went in a beautiful spin. Everything was happening so fast, I was waiting for the very last moment and send a 2 seconds burst right in the middle of my target. Tracers danced in front of him for a split second and then they flew right in. The impact was tremendous - shattered perspex and human blood. The glasshouse of the poor 111 collapsed right inside of the bomber and the doomed Hun went in before he could say Scheisse. I pulled my machine, which was not easy at that speed and flew straight through the rear section, one more squirt into the belly of another 111 (I claim it as damaged only) and off I was, diving full power towards the Isle of Wight so I can get lost from the hot area. As I approached the coast, adrenaline pumping like crazy, I started to worry about my engine, too and eased up on her a bit. I made sure I was clear and started climing. R/T was very busy at that time - every pilot hit the Hun bomber hard and there was lots of excitement going on mixed with other squadrons fighting with the escort. S/Ldr.Osprey's plane got hit by the defensive fire and had to pancake immediately as he was streaming glycol. Cursing and spitting he nursed his trusty Hurricane back home. Later I found that same fate met SAC Bully - but they both survived the massive encounter with the invaders. Climbing inland, i was trying hard to meet up with the rest of the No.501 Hurricanes - Sgt. Hawes gave me his position and LAC Meaker reported back he was still engaged with the bombers and apparently he got one! Well done old pal just get the hell out of there now... Climbing for ages back to reasonable altitude I got engaged again - pair of 109s flying right above my head. Sorry Hawes can't help you yet, I am diving back down. One 109 followed me but I shook him off and climbed again, this time more to the north. Sgt. Hawes reported again, now not too far from Ford, I dove in to catch up with him, his engine was not working 100 percently. There he was, the 109 let him be and disengaged back over the sea. Ok chaps, we're landing. Watch out mate, 110s! A pair of them right behind me, Hawes is a good mate and he came to help even with a half-broken engine. Meaks come back here, we're right over Ford! I forced the buggers to overshoot and climbed full power. I am behind one of these funny buses and gave him a nice squirt. He nosed down but we did not see him going in as we were very busy with the other buggers. There were 2 or even 3 110s and one 109 as well. Luckily they were rather slow. I parked behind the 109 as he was climbing very slow right hand turn after he was attacked by Hawes and I cut his corner. I gave him a nice burst at 200 yards which made him break down underneath me. You're dead you slow bugger. My next burst set his fuel tank on fire and in he went in a spectacular blast. Sgt. Hawes got one 110 over the runway - I confirm this claim, his target went in with his wing blown off. At that time Meaker came back and helped us tremendously by finding the other 110 and providing us cover as we engaged. Sgt. Hawes had him under control and did lots of damage but reported more engine trouble so I went past him on his starboard side and went really close to the German heavy fighter, I am sure Hawes killed the gunner as there was no defensive fire and the machine gun was pointing upwards in rather limp fashion. I aimed at the port engine, then kicked the rudder as my bullets stroke in over to the port side nailing the canopy and killing the pilot. The 110 went right in about half a mile feet wet of RAF Ford. We turned back immediately and with great assistance of SAC Meaker, we landed safely. What a sortie!


Pilot: OK
Plane: OK
Claims:
1x He-111 destroyed
1x He-111 damaged
1x Me-110 destroyed (claim shared 0.5/0.5 with Sgt. Hawes)
1x Me-109 destroyed (claim shared 0.5/0.5 with Sgt. Hawes)

Bully
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Re: Mission 17: August 26th 1940

Post by Bully » Sun Jan 27, 2013 1:57 pm

24th August 1940
Home Airfield: RAF Ford
Aircraft: SD-B Hurricane Mk.I 100 Oct

Today off with 4 other pilots of 510 squadron, tasked with intercepting a large formation of bombers heading for England. We took of and turned in the direction of the enemy formation. We Spotted the group of enemy bombers, which must have numbered 40+, and divided in. I followed S/Ldr. Osprey head on into the bomber group and watched him open up on one of the bombers.
I followed suit and fired at the first HE-111 I had in my sights. I had misjudged my speed coming into the bombers and missed the first target, but straight away found myself lined up with another one. A few quick bursts in to his port wing and he started to leak.
I lined up on a bomber from the third group and did the same, nailing a few into his glass nose (what a nice target) and his port wing, again he started to leak. I had suffered some damage from the keen-eyed gunners in the bombers, so decided to dive away and rejoin my squadron mates who I had heard over the radio had met up over the Isle of Wight.
When I dived away from the formation the damage that I had suffered was worse than I had feared, and my engine started to squeal. I then saw the bullets of a 109 fly past my cockpit and smash into my wounded aircraft. I dived away and turned towards the Isle of Wight to try and find a place to land.
As I passed through 1000 feet my engine completely died, so I had to drift down and find somewhere to land. A total lack of concentration left my aircraft, minus one wing, parked outside the back garden of an island inhabitant. After a strong drink, I started to try and find a way home.

Pilot: ok
Plane: A complete wreck
Claims: 2 x HE-111 Damaged
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Meaker
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Re: Mission 17: August 26th 1940

Post by Meaker » Sun Jan 27, 2013 2:49 pm

Form 540
Mission No:17(26.01.2013)
Date:24th August 1940
Airfield:RAF Ford
A/C:Hurricane MkI (100oct) SD-G 'George'

There are days as a junior pilot when you think to yourself that you are just making up the numbers,that your input is minimal,if you were shot down maybe a better would take your place,and it is easy to become very dissilusioned with your own performance in those dark hours.Recently my flight record has been nothing more than poor to say the least.So one afternoon whilst sitting in the mess at RAF Ford with a pint of 'Spifire ale' and drawing on my pipe filled with a few onces of 'Old Shag',I appraised my situation,and went over all the advice given to me by the Squadron Leader and our Flight Lieutenant,took stock of my previous faults,and decided to drastically change and better my approach to flying in combat with 501.

After supping up my beer,refilling my pipe,and filled with hope of better things to come I wandered off to my bunk to get some shut eye before our next engagement with the hun.

Just after 4pm we got the call,'Squadron Scramble'!,Customers Waiting!.......I ran to my kite,jumped aboard and seconds later Harry my old rigger helped me do up my Sutton harnesses nice and tight,just how I like them,good luck Sir he said courteously and jumped off the wing.

By now I could see the others making their way to the main runway,just five of us today,and very soon we were informed that we would be going straight to the frontline without any support,just 501.After what seemed an age to get permission to take off ,we all got airborne together,a wonderful sight to behold.

We climbed over the tiny houses of West Sussex and were told to vector 270 to make Angels 15 over the IOW,there was 'Trade'to be had and the Squadron Leader wanted some hun for tea!We managed to get to our rendevous at Angels 15 when over the R/T the Squadron Leader was heard to shout 'Bandits' at ten o'clock,we were a good couple of thousand feet above the bastards,eureka!at last!,now we had the advantage.Within seconds of this message being broadcast the Squadron Leader shouted 'TALLY HO' and we followed him down upon the Nazi blighters,readying our gunsights for 'Kick Off'.

The boys were showing Jerry the back door,and I followed suit,lining up a Nazi bomber in my sights,and with his wingtips in my sights I steadied my Hurricane so I was nicely in position and then fired in 2-3 second short bursts.I managed to get some damage done and killed the Dorsal gunner,at one point I thought I had him,but my new approach to combat dawned on me and I checked my six just in case I was being followed myself.Soon afterwards I heard over the R/T that the Squadron Leader had taken some damage due to crossfire from the hun guns I pressumed,and at this point F/L Robo told me to get out of there!,wise words as seconds later I was being shot at by a 109 from 6./JG26.This time instead of heading to the deck I banked left upwardly,360'd on my position and managed to evade him.
Now after all the intense action came a short period of calm,as I headed over towards Southampton docks,I looked down and saw a crippled He111 venting from both wings,he was at least several thousand feet below and I chased him down,but lost him in the clouds,a pointless manoeouvre actually as now I found myself alone and at a very vulnerable Angels 3,my instructor at Cranwell would be now holding his face with both hands,I thought!

Now there was just the three of us,as I had heard SAC Bully had suffered a similiar fate to that of the Squadron Leader,getting caught in the crossfire from the Jerry bombers.

Being alone I flew Northwards in land for a bit to avoid the coast or until I could get some height again,soon I was Angels 9 and heading towards the rest of 501 who were flying above RAF Ford and who had found a couple of those so called 'Destroyers',but no so it would appear after F/L Robo and Sgt Hawes had finished with them!sending one in with a blown off wing,and the other evading it's demise,by trying to lose them,very soon I caught up with and the captured the 'little darling' in my sights,fired off a few short bursts but lost him overland,doh,luckily F/L Robo had'nt and ceremoniously sent him an early Christmas present.....a gift of Browning machine gun bullets for his troubles!seconds later down he went too,woot!

Soon after this encounter Sgt Hawes was having troubles with his engine I remember,so F/L Robo told us to get down asap as the 'Party'seemed to be over now anyway,as my aircraft was still half full of ammo and was'nt giving me any problems,it seemed only sensible for me to 'pancake' last.I did,following the chaps onto the hard runway at Ford,boy those little narrow concrete runways are a pig to line up on,and shake everything aboard including pilot upon landing.

I was soon in the White Hart later on that evening with another ale,a few ounces of 'Old Shag' in my pipe smouldering away,and enjoying the company of chums around me,drawing on the conclusion that maybe,just maybe my luck had turned a corner,boy what a day!

Pilot:OK
Plane:Ok
Claims:1 x He111 of KG55 damaged(Dorsal Gunner killed)
Last edited by Meaker on Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Siddich
Posts: 54
Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2012 7:58 pm
Location: Illertissen, Germany

Mission 17: August 26th 1940

Post by Siddich » Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:00 pm

24th August 1940
Mission 16 (Sat 27/01/13):
Home Airfield: RAF Ford
Aircraft: SD-H, Hurricane Mk.I L2124

-climbed (problems with water temp.)
-saw bombers, dove down
-followed by 2 109s
-ramed one He 111
-cut off his wing, lost my hole engine
-had to bail and land in the drink near a ship
(worst mission ever)

Claims:
1x He111 shot down (confirmed by Bunny)

Losses:
1x Hurricane completely lost

Pilot:
ok, but wet

Hawes
Posts: 290
Joined: Sun Aug 12, 2012 4:23 pm

Re: Mission 17: August 26th 1940

Post by Hawes » Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:41 am

mission No.17 (16.12.2012)
Date: 26th August 1940
Location: Ford
A/C: Hurricane Mk1 (100 oct) - SD-T


We took off early this morning and headed for the south coast. The Hun have taken a particular interest in this sector over the last few days and Group wanted the mighty 501 to shore up the gaps left by other squadrons..ahem "64".
We made Ford our forward base for the day, it's a fairly nice place if you forget all the coastal command chaps hanging around. If I have to hear another story about hunting subs I'll probably let Jerry kill me.

We were scrambled and head toward the Isle of Wight, climbing up to Angels 12+. We sighted E/A at 10 O'clock low and confirmed them as the enemy raiders, 40 +. We thought that our luck was in, no fighter cover, then those beastly snappers floated over the formation. S/L Osprey led us in on a head on attack, probably to put heart into the yellow 64 chaps listening in on the R/T. I got a good squirt off at two bombers, but I was through them before I could confirm much more than that I'd damaged them.
As I broke off in a high climb I saw Snappers dropping on our boys and called out the bounce. I was then enaged by a 109 myself. I quickly evaded him, but I was now too low to engage the bombers.

In my eagerness to save my young life I must have oversped my engine, I was getting terrible shaking as I continued my pursuit N/E. I quickly picked up contacts over Selsey at Angels 9, but being somewhat damaged I headed for Ford to RTB. I linked up with F/L Robo, who flew back with me. As we neared the aerodrome he spotted E/As, 110s and a single 109. While dancing around the sky with these E/A I saw F/L Robo send one 110 into the sea, it looked like the port engine was on fire. I also got a squirt off on the second 110 which flew into F/L Robo's gunsights. GOOd NIGHT FRITZ.

By this time SAC Meaker had joined us and we all landed at Ford alive and well

I confirm:
1 110 destroyed by F/L Robo
1 110 destroyed (shared) by F/L Robo

I claim:

1 110 shared destroyed (kindly shared by the true victor, Robo)
2 He 111 damaged

Campaign tally:

1 Bf 109 destroyed (confirmed)
2 BF 109 Probable
1 110 shared destroyed
2 Dornier 17 destroyed
3 Dornier 17 damaged
2 JU 88 damaged
3 JU 88 probable destroyed
1 JU88 shared destroyed
2 He 111 damaged
2 JU 87 destroyed
2 JU 87 as a probable
2 JU 87s as damaged

Kupsised
Posts: 78
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Re: Mission 17: August 26th 1940

Post by Kupsised » Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:04 pm

Mission No:17(26.01.2013)
Date:24th August 1940
Airfield:RAF Ford
A/C:Hurricane MkI (100oct) SD-A

Took off from Ford with Teepee, Bunny and Sidditch of 501 and Vranac and Gromic of 64 (Gromic had 'accidently' fallen into the cockpit of a Hurricane, but had obviously really seen the error of his ways. In the end it turned out the sheer awesomeness of the Hurricane scared him and he had to go and get a Spitfire and a new pair of trousers after touching the Hurricane). We climbed up to 25,000ft where RDF was reporting contacts over the Isle of Wight. Then 64 (who were, as usual, remarkably low for top cover) vectored us in on some bombers so we dove down to get stuck in. The following events played out like this:

- Dove in on the bombers
- Shot at one bomber
- Bounced by multiple (3+) 109's (I didn't see them come in, but wouldn't have had time to react anyway, they were right on top of us straight away. I did confuse their tracers for bomber fire initially though so did not manouver as hard as I should have)
- Oil radiator blew up
- Engine gave up shortly afterwards (so no gear either and no time to hand pump)
- Pancaked in a farmers field on the Isle of Wight

On my way down I saw Sidditch's bomber that he hit come spiraling down into the sea, so I'll confirm that enthusiastically. After I landed the farmer came out and offered me a very strong drink, home brew I expect, and I woke up back on base with a headache.

Claims: 1 He111 damaged
Aircraft: Damaged, crash landed
Pilot: Ok

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Teepee
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Re: Mission 17: August 26th 1940

Post by Teepee » Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:51 pm

Mission No:17(27.01.2013)
Date:24th August 1940
Airfield:RAF Ford
A/C:Hurricane MkI (100oct) SD-M

After a spell of leave I rejoined the unit and was in time for an enemy raid on the South Coast around the Isle of Wight area.

I took off with fellow 501 pilots Kupsised, Bunny and Siddich. We were astonished to have two 64 pilots, Gromic and Vranac, flying with us in borrowed trusty Hurricanes. The thought of being in control of such a marvellous machine was obviously too much for these poor unfortunates and they quickly climbed out of their trusty Hurricanes and fled back to their spitties.

We launched and immediately commenced a climb to a height of approximately 23,000 ft in our amazing machines. The two 64 Sqn pilots in their inferior spitfires were initially flying with us but then, as usual, they got lost and were never seen again. Gallantly the 501 team flew south to intercept the incoming raid which was heading north towards the Isle of Wight.

Contact was made and a large formation of bombers was destined to be on the receiving end of a welcoming party from the fighting 501 heroes. Invitation cards, featuring a special request from Mr De Wilde, were handed out as we dived down onto the bombers like hungry hawks. The promised 'spitfire top cover' failed to materialise and soon the trusty Hurricanes were set upon by Willi's 109 Vermin.

Contact was lost between the 501 team and it was every man for himself. I found myself in a prime firing position behind a He 111 and let him have a personal invitation to doom. I saw smoke pouring from the stbd engine but was unable to follow the kill as I had been singled out by a 109 for special attention. My engine was badly hit and my flying controls were so severely damaged that I began to fly in an erratic, uncontrollable manner similar to a few 64 sqn spitfires I had the misfortune to be near the other day. I bailed out but not before I heard Bunny confirm my kill had gone down - a day to celebrate.

I was eventually picked up by a couple of sailors who proceeded to fill me with rum and offered me cigarettes for favours. Luckily I had been out with fellow pilot Gromic who had taught me how to resist such advances with a firm, but polite, "no thanks chum". I was returned to Ford and gave my version of events to the debriefing officer. I was pleased to note that my fellow 501 aviators had all survived to fight another day. Later on I went to the mess to tell of my adventures with the Navy. While I was there I met a nice young filly who I later found out was a WRN on shore leave. She filled me with rum and I don't remember any more - however I found a pack of 200 cigarettes in my room the next morning.

I claim:-
1 x He 111 - witnessed by Bunny

I lost:-
1 x Trusty Hurricane - witnessed by OLt Trautloft JG 27.

I also claim tea and medals for being there.
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