Kanalkampf. Mission 9: 18th July 1940

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Katt
Posts: 185
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2013 6:51 pm

Kanalkampf. Mission 9: 18th July 1940

Post by Katt » Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:34 pm

Squadron: No. 615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: WK
Pilot Name: Katt
Date: 18 July 19oohrs
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane
Marking: P
Serial number: P3160

Synopsis: Visibility issues, lost contact with bombers and was unable to close with e/a single engine type. Attacked from the rear and lost right aileron, returned to England but crash landed due to poor visibility.

Claims
Destroyed: 0
Probable: 0
Damaged: 0

Losses
Pilot: OK
A/C: Damaged in crash landing
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Von Archie
Posts: 1868
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:30 pm
Location: Stratford Upon Avon UK

Re: Mission#9 - 18 July 1940

Post by Von Archie » Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:00 pm

Squadron: No. 615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: Archie
Date: 18 July 1940
Time: 1900
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane
Marking: K
Serial number: R4192

Synopsis: Took off as No2 to Random, engaged EA attacking Blenheims near target, but got seperated (sorry Random!) in the ensuing rugby scrum. Shot at a few 109's but observed no hits, suffered a radiator failure, but managed to scrape home back over the channel and did a dead stick wheels up landing in a field near Dover.

Claims
Destroyed: 0
Probable : 0
Damaged: 0

Losses
Pilot - OK
A/C - Damaged
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Hawes
Posts: 290
Joined: Sun Aug 12, 2012 4:23 pm

Re: Mission#9 - 18 July 1940

Post by Hawes » Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:05 pm

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 7: 10th July 1940
Squadron: No.615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron code: "KW"
Pilot name: Hawes
Date: 18th July 1940
Time: 1900hrs
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia
Marking: T for 'Toc'
Serial number: L2098

The Wing Co told us that today we needed to protect some brave bombers who were flying to bomb Boulougne harbour. Any help we could give them to hit back at the Hun was worth the risk of running low on fuel on the way home. 'Panata' squadron was the first off the field and we made a quick circuit before flying 135° and climbing up to 12,500 feet. We crossed the coast between Dungerness and Wilmington and turned port to RZ with the bombers over the point of Dungerness. Flt/Sgts Random and Hollywood sighted the bombers first, but in the low light nobody else could see them. We set course for Le Cap Gris Nez and tired to close on the bombers. After several minutes FLt/Sgt Random called out E/A and them began attacking the bombers. I was unable to engage for several minutes but finally sighted the E/A. I rolled onto the tail of a 109 who was slowly pulling ahead of me. I got a good burst on him and saw damage, I chased him down with L/A Spud on my tail and gave him another burst before pulling away. It was at this moment that I saw a nastry hun working its way on to my No 2's tail. I callled the break but Spud didn't move at first, maybe he doesn't understand the local dialect or maybe he was playing with the hun. Anyway he soon shook the dirty sausage muncher off.
I soon became seperated from my No. 2 and saw a 109 below me near Marquise West. I dropped on him and got hit engine smoking with the first burst and left him as he was dropping altitude fast. I then flew up to Le Cap again and heard Flt/Sgt Random calling that he had two 109s with him just below my position. I saw the fight and dropped on a 109 and shot off a burst, his engine began to smoke and I kept my E as I roared over him. Flt/Sgt Random then got a good burst on him and I lost sight of them for a moment and then saw the 109 crashing on the airfield at Wissant. At this moment Random was hit and his engine started to give out. I saw another 109 above him and gave him a burst from vertically below him. I rolled over and shot again and he spun to evade. I decided to RTB as fuel and ammo were low. As I flew across the channel Flt/Sgt Random and L/A Spud both had to bail into the sea. I headed towards Kenley and landed shortly after 19:30.

Claims
Destroyed: 1 (shared) ME 109 (with Flt/Sgt Random)
Probable: 1 ME 109
Damaged: 2x Me 109

Lost
Pilot: OK,
A/C: OK

Binkitone
Posts: 83
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2012 6:19 pm
Location: South Gloucestershire, England

Re: Mission#9 - 18 July 1940

Post by Binkitone » Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:15 pm

Form 540
Mission date: 18th July 1940
Aerodrome: Kenley
Aeroplane: Spitfire / SH-W / K9964

Synopsis:
Engaging with several 109s at 11k over Cap Gris Nez, followed one diving down, reducing my prop pitch to close was a big mistake as my target pulled up, I began pulling back on the stick and closing my throttle to limit my speed, but it wasn't enough, no response on my controls, crate shuddering, it was to late, I finally saw mother earth race towards me. I'm no more of this world as I float above the wreckage of my aeroplane.


Claims
Destroyed:0
Probable:0
Damaged:0

Lost
Pilot status: Deceased
Aeroplane status: lost in France.
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Baron le Scrope
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Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 2:25 pm
Location: Doncaster S/Yorks.

Re: Mission#9 - 18 July 1940

Post by Baron le Scrope » Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 pm

Squadron: No. 615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: Baron
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane
Marking: B
Serial number: P3231

Took off in good order from our home base for a change, Spotted our bomber formation which was shortly joined by 109s near the French coast,
eveventually latched on to a 109 that was diving towards the mainland, got hits and then he merged with the terrain, lost sight as the visabilty was very bad.Stooged around and met up with some friendlies that were imposible to read sqdn nos as the sun was right in my eyes, I think we all lost sight of our bombers and eventually we all headed back to the nearest friendly base. down to 3 gals i switched to reserve but the engine cut out, switched back o.k but run out of fuel on finals, landed safely dead stick at Manston

Claims
Destroyed: 0
Probable: 0
Damaged: 1- Bf109

Loses
Pilot:OK
A/C OK, no damage.
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Spud
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Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 9: 18th July 1940

Post by Spud » Mon Mar 03, 2014 7:07 am

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 7: 10th July 1940
Squadron: No.615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron code: "KW"
Pilot name: Spud
Date: 18th July 1940
Time: 1900hrs
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia
Marking: R for 'Robert'
Serial number: N2335


Being the new guy in the squadron isn’t easy. Nobody wants to be your friend. Too many FNG’s have shown up only to be reported dead or missing a couple days later. So it’s just easier for the lads to leave you alone until you have been around for a while. Even my crewchief says nothing more than what is required during pre-flight and while I strap in. I guess I’ll have to get used to it and hope that I last. Hopefully by then I'll be used to the dialect. And they say "I" talk funny.......

Today I was assigned to fly on Hawes’ wing as we were to escort a flight of Wellington’s over the channel to Boulogne at 12,500 ft. Take-off and climb-out went fine, but we never met up with the bombers over Dungeness as planned. When we got there, the Bomber boys were already half way across the channel. Blast! Trying to play catch up, by the time we got close enough, we could see that Jerry was having his way with the Wellie’s. As Hawes rolled in, I dropped back in trail to keep his 6 clear. He quickly got on the tail of a 109 and got some hits in. As we followed him down, tracers flew over my canopy. Hawes was calling for me to break but I wanted to try something. A quick skid and the 109 on my 6 quickly overshot. I don’t think he ever saw me. I think he was going after the flight lead. I called for Hawes to break, lined up the 109 and gave him a burst. I know I got hits on him as I saw pieces of his crate break off into the slipstream as he vented. I told Hawes his tail was clear and quickly broke to keep up with him but by that time he was long gone and I lost sight of him. I looked for the 109 to see if it was going down but in the dusk I was unable to find it. Before I knew it, I was all alone in the sky over France. “This is not good”, I thought so I started looking for planes. The fight moved northeast. I could see a flaming 109 on its way down with a Spittie on his tail so I headed that way. Before I got there, a flak burst thumped my airframe. Temps were still good and the engine was still humming along so I decided to press on. I should have looked out my port side. I would have noticed the missing aileron and wingtip. By the time I figured it out it was too late. I was a lone Hurricane in a sea of 109’s. All my squadron mates were calling that they were either RTB or almost home. No better time than the present to make a break for it!! I pointed for home in a slight dive at full boost but it just wasn’t enough. Once again I played bullet magnet while a conga line of 109’s had their way with me. Despite the damage, my kite was still plowing along. But then a lucky squirt took out my elevators. DAMN!! Now in an uncontrolled climb, I opened up the canopy and made a hasty exit.

After pulling myself into my raft, the first thing I noticed was that my smokes were soaked. Damn. This is going to be a long night waiting for rescue to pick me up.


Claims:
Downed: 0
Probable: 0
Damaged: 1 ME-109

Losses:
Aircraft: At the bottom of the Channel.
Pilot: Bouncing along in a dinghy jonesing for a smoke
Yes........ I AM what's wrong with the world today....... Deal with it!!

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Dickie
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Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 9: 18th July 1940

Post by Dickie » Mon Mar 03, 2014 11:12 am

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: "TB"
Pilot name: Osprey
Date: 18th July 1940
Time: 1845hrs
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia
Marking: P for 'Piip'
Serial number: V6620

The weather has been too poor for flying for a few days and I was called to Uxbridge to meet with Keith Park, something had come from the top. "Prickman good fellow" he said as he leaned back into his chair, "Jerry is building up for invasion and we're not going to let him. I had a meeting with Stuffy who had a direct order from Churchill himself to take all measures possible to prevent a German invasion. Jackboots must not set foot on another inch of British soil". With 'another inch' he was referring to the fall of the Channel Islands which Goebbels was using as a propaganda tool in the Nazi regime already. "We're going to hit those barges at Boulogne as soon as we can, and it is dangerous so I want the best the RAF has as escort, that's your Kenley chaps Prickman". "Thank you sir" I replied. "I don't need to remind you that this is hush hush old boy, we don't want Jerry moving his flak about do we?", "No sir that wouldn't do" I replied. "That will be all, I'll come down and see you chaps when we're ready."

So I left and caught the train back to RAF Kenley. It was raining and the chaps were stood down so I headed over to the mess where I knew most of them would be. As I walk I was jumped by Merlin, the enormous Irish wolfhound to roars of laughter from Looky "An Oirish welcome fur yoos Sir" he bellowed. "Get that bloody dog out!" I exclaimed, red faced Meaker was normally in control but had gone for a leak. After I dusted myself down I bought him a whiskey, "No hard feelings Meaker" I said, "Shame we can't drop Merlin on Jerry".

The weather broke on the 18th and AVM Park arrived in his trusty Hurricane to deliver a rousing speech to the Wing about the escort of 235 and 236 Sqns (Coastal Command) to strike the Germans when they least expected - in broad daylight in a direct frontal attack. "Carry on Wing Commander" he said before leaving.

We took off at 1845hrs, 501 and 64 were bloody late to the rendevous point at Dungeness and played catchup but bad luck indeed as the bombers had run directly into a Hun Gruppe on Kanal patrol. 615 were caught up in it and did their level best, and the Blenheims pressed on regardless, delightfully striking the invasion plans of Hitler. With barges burning in the harbour and state of his Navy it would set them back at least a month. During the dogfight I fired off a couple of squirts from my fearsome machine here and there, I witnessed our newest chap from the dominians (Serpico), setting light to a 109 in his very first mission. Bravo. It was then I caught a packet from the light guns and started to run rough. I decided to turn for home and pancaked at Hawkinge as light was fading. V6620 was in need of some repair but she was a tough girl and I knew we'd be back together soon giving Jerry a another thrashing.

(If anyone was killed by flak in this mission do not report a death, a damaged will do)

Claims
None

Lost
AC damaged

Luke
Posts: 423
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 1:51 am
Location: Burnley, UK

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 9: 18th July 1940

Post by Luke » Mon Mar 03, 2014 3:09 pm

Squadron: No.64 Squadron
Squadron code: "SH"
Pilot name: Luke
Date: 18th July 1940
Base: Kenley
Type: Spitfire Ia 100oct
Marking: "R for Romeo"
Serial number: P9563

Synopsis:
64 formed up on the runway waiting for the order to take off. Nitrous gave the order and we started to roll. I gave the order for blue flight to start rolling. Soon after takeoff Dange lost sight of me so I had to break formation from pink flight ahead of me to pick Dange back up. Blue flight then hammered it to catch up to the rest of 64 and formed up behind pink flight and to the right of green flight. We then climbed to 14,000ft over and headed for the rendezvous point where we were going to meet the bombers. Soon after arriving at the rendezvous point we then found out that the bombers had gone ahead without stopping and were now without fighter support. The comms then went hectic with chatter that the bombers were under attack. the whole of 64 then went into a slight dive to pick up speed and catch up to the bombers and intercept the fighters. Soon after this I recieved a launcher crash of the game and it was game over for me. I gave the order for Dange to then form up with a different flight and take orders from which ever flight leader he formed up with. Nothing else to report.


Claims
Destroyed N/A
Probable: N/A
Damaged: N/A

Pilot status: launcher crash
Aeroplane status:launcher crash
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Dange
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Location: Penetang. Ontario Canada

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 9: 18th July 1940

Post by Dange » Mon Mar 03, 2014 5:41 pm

Squadron: No. 64
Squadron code: SH
Pilot name: Dange
Date:18th July 1940
Time:18:45
Base: Kenley
Type: Spit 1A (100)
Marking: M for Mother
Serial number: N 3122

Formed up as number 2 on starboard of Blue flight leader Luke and when the roll out began we were dead into the sun. Managed to get wheels up and picked up Luke at my 9 o'clock. Did my best to stay in formation but even with full power, boost and trimming it was difficult . Approaching the French coast I lost sight of lead and began climbing in a starboard turn. Picked up a 109 low and climbing on my 4 o'clock. Pulled into a tighter turn as he gave a burst. He then stalled and I rolled over on him. Diving on him I glanced over my right shoulder and at 4 0'clock high I picked up another 109 in a stall above me. Pulled up in a tight port turn , and as he crossed in front of me I gave him a burst but no hits. Started climbing and observed venting from my craft ( didn't hear hits but ?). Swung out over the channel at about 6K and had tracers over my canopy. Evasive maneuvers but took a few hits and engine quit. Dove for the channel and home but had to put her down in the water. Got lucky as a rescue craft was in the area monitoring the action and saw me ditch. Thankfully they had some scotch on board. Heading for the port of Dover..


Claims:
Destroyed:0
Damaged:0
Probables:0

Status:
Pilot: ok
A/C : lost
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Mauf
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Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2014 8:18 pm

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 9: 18th July 1940

Post by Mauf » Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:25 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: "SD"
Pilot name: Mauf
Date: 18th July 1940
Time: 1845hrs
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane I
Marking: "D for Don"
Serial number: LI898

It was half past six at Kenley Airfield. 501 Squadron was assigned a bomber escort mission together with 615 and 64 for a strike at Boulogne harbour. We were in the middle of a of a lively discussion about the pro and cons of artificial lawn when our wing commander gave the command to roll out. At about 18:50 , we were airborne after 64 and 615 Squadrons and set route for our rendevous with the bombers. Upon arrival, we learned that the bomber wing commander obviously held his clock upside down as the bombers were already half way across the channel and going by the screaming on the radio, were in the progress of being decimated. 615 Squadron was able to reach the bombers first and engaged the german fighters. 501 and 64 Squadrons pressed on to Cap Gris Nez where we intercepted german fighters, obviously heading for our bomber wing. A chaotic furball ensued and due to the low light situation, friend and foe identification was severely hampered. More often than not, I had to stay my trigger finger to ensure that I wasn't gunning for a friend. Over the course of the whole fight, I only managed get a few shots into the wing of a 109 before it evaded in front of the setting sun. After the furball seemed to have cleared, I continued flying south towards Boulogne to check for the bombers and the rest of my squadron. Due to the low light situation, I was unable to find anyone. As everyone was getting low on fuel, orders were given to rally at Cap Gris Nez and fly back home. Upon arriving back at Cap Gris Nez, I only met two spitfires from 64 squad who obviously had trouble finding their way home. Being the good chap that I am, I decided to lead the two brylcreemers home to Kenley.


Claims:
Downed: 0
Probable: 0
Damaged: 1 ME-109
Rescued: 2 spitfires who would have dropped into the channel without me guiding them home

Losses:
Aircraft: Not a scratch
Pilot: Alive and in need of more carrots

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