Kanalkampf. Mission 12: 24th July 1940

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Sabre
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Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:45 pm
Location: Washington, England

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 12: 24th July 1940

Post by Sabre » Sat Mar 29, 2014 4:22 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: SD
Pilot name: Sabre
Date: 24th July 1940
Time: 1050hrs
Base: Hawkinge
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia
Marking: S for Sugar
Serial number: P3397

Synopsis:

Took off with the rest of No. 501 Squadron with orders were to patrol just off the coast in the Deal area. We headed out to our patrol area. Not long into the patrol and soon spotted around 40 enemy Dorniers. The CO ordered a head on pass through the enemy. I adjusted my wing span and headed towards the formation with the rest of 501. As soon as we were within range the gunners on the Dorniers opened up, fortunately I wasn't hit but I couldn't get a good bead on an enemy aircraft so I conserved ammo and climbed out. As I came through I noticed a second formation slightly south and turned to engage. I closed on the bombers from above and lined up on the far right Dornier put some DeWilde into his right wing and engine. As I lined up on a second Dornier it seemed every gunner in the formation only had eyes for the trusty old girl and I was hit several times very quickly and the world went a mix of red and then black ...............................

Claims:
Destroyed: None
Probable: None
Damaged: 1 x Do17

Losses:
Pilot: KIA
A/C: Lost
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Bonkin
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Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2012 6:47 pm
Location: East Yorkshire, England

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 12: 24th July 1940

Post by Bonkin » Sat Mar 29, 2014 8:33 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: "SD"
Pilot name: Bonkin
Date: 24th July 1940
Time: 1050hrs
Base: Hawkinge
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia
Marking: "Z for Zebra"
Serial number: P3803

Synopsis
Wing scramble to intercept radar contacts over channel heading towards Manston. CAVOK 3/8 Oktas SCT. Intercepted 40+ Do17s East of Deal at Angels 15 in a head on pass but engine was damaged during a second attack. Ditched 3 miles off the coast of Manston and was picked up by MTB rescue.

Engine Start 1056
Brakes Off 1059
Brakes On ----
Engine Shutdown ----

Full Report
My admiration for the chaps of No.64 is starting to grow. Despite inter squadron rivalry I have to acknowledge that several times now they have turned up when I’ve been in a sticky situation and have saved the day. I’d never admit it to their faces of course – but just today an event occurred which really helped me appreciate the bond that they have between the officers and the men.

I was out walking Nigsy down the lane at the back of the graveyard. It’s quite a secluded area and not many people go down there – so I felt that it would really cheer Nigsy up to have a run around and chase a few rabbits – especially after the sad events earlier in the week concerning Merlin. Anyway, we were about halfway along when I stumbled across that Nitrous fellow from No.64. He was coming out of the undergrowth with a young lad who I recognised as his rigger. Johnson I think his name is. Anyway, Nitrous set about explaining how the poor fellow had been the victim of a practical joke from his peers and that was why he didn’t have any trousers on. They were both in the undergrowth searching for Johnson’s trousers.

My respect for this chap grows every day. I mean, what sort of officer would go to such lengths to help out a non-commissioned chap – especially in such embarrassing circumstances? He clearly cares deeply for his men – and they for him. I made a mental note to follow his example and ensure my own crew were OK. It was surely a good thing to do as they would ensure my kite was in tip top form.

Still nobody yet knows what happened to Merlin. It was definitely a hit and run – and some say it has something to do with the Hawkinge Ladies Snooker Team. Appears one of them may have been rushing off somewhere late after the party. This is based on the fact that at the back of the Mess one of the snooker tables has some mysterious stains all over it and a few of the pockets have been broken. Strange goings on indeed.

Today’s mission was another wing effort. We were at cockpit readiness when the call to take-off came through. Much to our surprise the boys from No.64 did a half-baked scramble and circled the airfield for some time all forming up – then were last seen heading in the opposite direction to the enemy. The boss wasn’t too pleased and I had to turn the R/T volume down as he overheated in his own cockpit. I certainly wouldn’t like to be on the receiving end of that – and made a mental note to always be on my best behaviour in his company.

It wasn’t long before 501 were majestically assembled and on an intercept path to the incoming enemy. We were on a head on attack course and excitedly set our gunsights for 58ft when the eagle eyes of a fellow Hurricane jockey identified them as Do17s.

My first rounds were fired at one of the lead bombers but I think I missed as I didn’t observe any direct hits. The return fire from the Hun bombers was incredible though. They had surely bought extra lead with them and were filling the sky with it in all directions.

I swiftly turned around in my marvel machine and approached the rear of the bomber stream at an incredible speed. Take that I muttered as my rounds poured into the enemy bomber and smoke and debris came flooding back at me. At the last second I pushed the stick forward to go underneath them but as I was pulling up in front of them my Hurricane was shredded by the gunfire and I knew I was doomed. The damned rotter’s I thought as oil poured over my windscreen and I set a course for home.

Following a safe ditching some 3 miles off the coast at Manson I decided I could easily swim back to shore. Before I could manage a few strokes though an MTB boat came along and I was dragged onboard – where I met SAC Katt, SAC Mauf and Sqd Ldr Hawes from No.615.

It was then that I recognised that these were the friendly sailors I’d met back in June at Dunkirk! Luckily they didn’t ask me to strip off again – but instead took this picture of the four of us:

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Claims
Destroyed: 0
Probable: 1x Do17
Damaged: 0

Losses
Pilot: OK – but with a belly full of English Channel.
A/C: Resting on the bottom of the channel.
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Looky
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 10:34 pm

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 12: 24th July 1940

Post by Looky » Sun Mar 30, 2014 4:49 pm

Squadron: No.64 Squadron
Pilot name: Looky
Date: 24th July 1940
Time: 1050hrs
Base: Hawkinge
Type: Spitfire MKIa 100 Octane
Marking: "A for Apple"
Serial number: N3032


Claims:
Destroyed: 2 x Bf109
Probable:
Damaged: 1x Bf-109

Pilot: OK
Aircraft: OK
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Vranac
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Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:59 pm

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 12: 24th July 1940

Post by Vranac » Sun Mar 30, 2014 7:47 pm

Squadron: No.64 Squadron
Squadron code: SH
Pilot name: Vranac
Date: 24th July 1940
Time: 1050hrs
Base: Hawkinge
Type: Spitfire MKIa
Marking: V
Serial number: N3231

Took off from Hawkinge as the leader of White flight. We formed up quickly but soon I had problem with my engine so i left the flight and landed. Luckily there was a new Spitfire waiting for me so i took off with Thaine and Binkytone. We were steeply climbing North when I herd that battle started already. Our guys were fiercely fighting over huge group of enemy bombers.
I got the position and altitude so I rushed to join the battle. I spotted big formations of bombers and soon few escort 109's above them.
I dived on a pair of 109's , they started climbing but I think they haven't noticed me. I got some hits on one but he immediately made split S so I went for the leader.He did the same. In a turn I saw one contact at my high 3 o'clock but checked my six I saw a yellow nose behind me. I turned sharply to the left and saw Thaine on his six. " Shot the bastard !!!" , I yelled. 109 dived and then went up again. SQ CO Gromic also joined and Bounder a little bit later so we started a death chase. That guy was very good. I manged to get some shots on him from about 400 yd but he just dived away, then up again playing with us like a cat with mouses. Finally he made one mistake turning on Bounder I closed and gave him a burst then another when he dived but he easily extended from me again. I noticed another plane with us Bounder took the first one but the other one closed on him quickly. I yelled "Brake, brake!!", he did luckily so I gave him a good burst. 109 was trailing glycol and smoke and went down.Bounder was above him when he went into the sea.
We turned back and climbed toward Ramsgate shore where I saw some contacts heading East but my engine started to shake again.
Landed at Ramsgate.

Claims:
Destroyed: 1 & 1/2 x Me-109, (one shared with Bounder)
Probable: none
Damaged: none

Pilot: OK
Aircraft: OK, engine will need some repairs
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Thaine
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Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2013 10:09 pm
Location: Tromsø, Norway

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 12: 24th July 1940

Post by Thaine » Wed Apr 02, 2014 11:52 am

After mission report RAF squadrons No.501, No.615, No.64.

Intercept of enemy aircraft, 24th July 1940.

Kenley Squadrons No.501, No.615 and No.64 took off from Hawkinge airfield at 1050hrs to intercept an incoming bomber group consisting of DO17s and BF109 escorts. The bomber group was attacked in the Manston area and sustained heavy losses. 21 enemy aircraft were shot down confirmed, 12 were shot down probable. 7 more enemy aircraft could be damaged.

Rumors of more effective shooting by the enemy forces are partly confrimed by the high loss of not only aircrafts but also pilots. 12 aircraft were lost during the battle, 4 returned damaged. FlOff Teeppee, FlOff Random, FlSgt Binkitone, Tech Vukac, Tech Redeye and LAC Spud did not return from their mission.
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