Kanalkampf. Mission 13: 25th July 1940

RAF flight reports for the epic ACG Historical Campaign - "Peace In Our Time" covering the Fall of France and the Battle of Britain. We are recruiting new pilots so you can join this - post in the Reception to request a seat. This forum is publically viewable.

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Midge
Posts: 421
Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2014 9:25 pm
Location: Leeds- West Yorkshire-Great Britain

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 13: 25th July 1940

Post by Midge » Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:36 am

Squadron:No.64[attached]
Squadron code: na
Pilot Name:Midge[unassigned at the time]
Base:Kenley
Type: Spitfire
Marking:na
Serial no:na



Left Kenley and followed the rest of No.64[mouth shut-ears open]towards the coast.On reaching the coast the Squadron made a gentle left hand turn towards Dover.The opposition,Me109's were spotted[not by me!]and i made a high right hand turn,following the nearest Spitifire i could see.I spotted 4 contacts at my1/2 o'clock low and dived-made a snapshot on a Me109 and broke recovering height.i then heard a call for a Spitfire to break, not Knowing if the call was for me i didn't wait to see and broke right anyway,to see a Me109 on my left 8 o'clock i lost sight him.Regained altitude and noticed damage on the left wingroot of my aircraft along with a pronounced vibration.I spotted Ack Ack inland,Still at a altitude of around 7000ft i went to investigate,i saw two contacts very high at my11 o'clock heading towards the coast.i then headed to Eastchurch,where i landed safe but damaged.



Claims:

Destroyed:0
Probable:0
Damaged:0

Losses:

Pilot:Uninjured
Aircraft:Landed at Eastchurch damaged
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Venom
Posts: 46
Joined: Sun Feb 23, 2014 6:53 am
Location: Bedfordshire

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 13: 25th July 1940

Post by Venom » Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:52 am

Squadron: No. 64 Squadron
Squadron Code: SH
Pilot Name: Venom
Base: Kenley
Type: Spitfire Ia 100 octane
Marking:z
Serial number: V

Took off from kenley after a magnificent display by our friends in their hurricanes. Joined White flight and hung off the wing of White One, (No.64_Vranac) en-route to target. 109's were spotted in a fight with hurricanes as we neared the coastline around Folkestone at angels 13. I stuck to White One like glue as he followed the rest of 64 squadron. Quick as a flash we were on the six of a 109. He hadn't spotted us and we had the energy advantage, drawing closer and closer to firing range. Then BANG BANG BANG as machine gun and cannon tracer were peeling past my canopy and into my right wing. I frantically told Vranac to break and we both turned hard to port. The 109 was off us. Things got a little confusing for 30 seconds but I was soon on the long and high six of Vranac, who was now chasing the 109 down to the deck. He had him venting and told me to "finish him" but a gaping hole in my wings leading edge was causing too much drag to catch them, even including an altitude advantage. With that in mind I deemed my plane too dangerous to take back into the fight, so I tactically retreated through the bottom of the furball and headed to the nearest friendly field, which happened to be Lympne. Twas a bumpy landing when my starboard undercarriage collapsed obviously due to the damage, but I wasn't badly hurt.

Claims
Destroyed: 0
Probable: 0
Damaged: 0

Losses
Pilot: OK (injured on hand hence late battle report)
A/C : Needs refit

Meaker
Posts: 1513
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 4:28 pm

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 13: 25th July 1940

Post by Meaker » Tue Apr 29, 2014 9:39 am

Squadron: No.501"County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: "SD"
Pilot name: Meaker
Date: 1940
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia 100 Octane
Marking: G for 'George'
Serial number: P2793

COMBAT FLIGHT RECORD

Took off from Kenley with the big chief leading us out,the whole Squadron buzzed Kenley just as 64 Squadron were preparing to get airborne,great fun.

We then headed down to Dover in pursuit of several large raids coming in,made contact with Dorniers crossing the coast and was immediately bounced by two 109’s,managed to lose them but not before being hit,realised I was wounded and that my engine was damaged.

From here on in I tried to support other members of 501,but did’nt really achieve anything,other than staying alive.I was really happy to hear that our brave F/O Teepee had made a name for himself in shooting down some hun,what a good egg,but my performance was very lack lustre,a very poor show.

I kept on flying around somewhat aimlessly I have to say,until my engine started to sound rough,so I made tracks for nearby RAF Hawkinge.As I got insight of Hawkinge it dawned on me from looking at my instrument panel that I was going to have to make an emergency landing as my altitude was far too low to make a successful bail,and that there was no way the kite was going to stay airborne long enough to reach Hawkinge.

I found a suitable farmers field and gradually glided the kite down to a safe landing,this was’nt the best of days for me by far.I made contact with control and they kindly sent a car down to pick me up and ferry me back to Kenley.

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


Lost
Pilot: Wounded but nothing serious
A/C: Damaged fuselarge on crash landing(sorry boss)

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

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 13: 25th July 1940

Post by Binkitone » Tue Apr 29, 2014 10:40 am

Form 540
Mission 13 date: 25th July 1940
Aerodrome: Kenley
Aeroplane: Spitfire 1a (100oct) / SH-W Serial number: K9964

Synopsis:
Back at our own aerodrome for change with Hurricane squadrons 501 and 615, strapped in my cockpit waiting with the engine warming up for them to take off. We soon began taxi towards the end of the runway as then finally, the hurricanes were airborne.
We all formed neatly on the freshhold, Tyrone as Red leader, myself as Red Two with I believed were Wiggs and Midge as Red Three and Four Flight at the rear of twelve Spits roaring to go. With Looky leading the squadron we were quickly in the air and headed south, climbing 2000 ft per minute to achieve our operationally height. Spread out in our flight formations at 13k with Dungeness at one o'clock we turned gradually left towards Dover on reports of contacts. At my ten o'clock, I could see already a large group still 'feet wet' approaching Deal with activity, 'flies around a honey pot'.
The whole '64 were vectored in that direction climbing with the objective to engage any escort, Tyrone soon spotted 109's, I followed while he turned into a left hand dive on their six of two 109s, he closed and took the one on the right while I further behind chased the other which turned over and dived steeply beneath me. I pull up as another 109 climbed up in front my sights, I managed a short burst but not sure of any effective hits as it fell down behind my view. I continued to climb reaching 17k the sky was now clear. There were reports of engagements mid channel and over the French coast, but over the Dover area at the altitude I was patrolling it was clear. I descended to join up with the other spitfires, there were no loses for '64, the consensus was to land at Hawkinge, unfortunately taking a east to west approach for the prevailing wind, on touch down, concentrating on my bouncing, I had a collision with Vranac coming from the opposite direction; doh. :roll:

Claims
Destroyed:0
Probable:0
Damaged: 1x109

Lost
Pilot status: Badly Burnt
Aeroplane status: burning wreck
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Teepee
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Sqn Cdr
Posts: 970
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2012 3:40 pm
Location: Bomber County - Lincolnshire, England

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 13: 25th July 1940

Post by Teepee » Tue Apr 29, 2014 8:52 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: "SD"
Pilot name: FO Teepee
Base: Kenley
Date: 25th July 1940
Type: Trusty Hawker Hurricane Mk 1A
Marking: "M for Marvel"
Serial number: N2617

Synopsis:

Today was a good day.

We were now based at RAF Kenley, in Surrey, a few miles South of the Capital. We had all been promised a weekend show, in London, and couldn’t wait to see the Tiller Girls doing their stuff at the Palladium Theatre.

However, I had received some disappointing news that somehow a picture of Yvette was now on the Sation Gymnasium Notice Board, complete with more lude comments concerning cheesy dips. Apparently a MT Bowser Driver from Hawkinge had been posted to Kenley, and had brought the photo with him.

We had been briefed, by Wing Ops, to patrol the Channel in the Dover area and were brought to cockpit readiness just after dinner. Apart from a minor fracas involving one of the Scandinavian volunteers and a Geordie pilot, Flt Sgt Sabre, things were relatively quiet. We sat in the cockpits of our trusty Hurricanes and waited.

Suddenly, the call to scramble was made and the airfield silence was abruptly shattered by the sound of dozens of mighty Merlin engines roaring into life. The Wing would commence the launch by scrambling the amazing Hurricanes of 615 Sqn first. Then, the fearless pilots of 501 Sqn would take to the air in their incredible Hurricanes and 64 Sqn would bring up the rear. The 501 Sqn pilots decided that the posh spitties should be shown which direction to fly so a low pass was made over them to point out the way. This must have worked because history would show that the spitties actually made it to the right part of the Channel, at the right time, negating their need to fly in aimless circles.

As we approached the target area a call was heard over the R/T – ‘Bandits ahead’. A formation of Dorniers was heading towards Blighty and we were in no mood to let them through. ‘We’ll take them head on’ the Boss called and we aimed our deadly machines towards the approaching black crossed menace. I passed a Dornier firing my welcoming salvo of deadly DeWilde and was glad to see the sparkling show of hits across the airframe. I pulled my awesome flying machine into a tight, high bank turn and dove onto the same Dornier with my guns set to maximum destruction. More hits registered on the verminous machine and with satisfaction I saw the tail section break off and the evil crate drop towards the dark, cold and uninviting waters of the Channel. ‘I hope you remembered to pack your rubber ring, Fritz’ I thought to myself as the helpless souls plummeted downward. I gave the photo of Yvette a reassuring rub. I never saw the evil machine hit the waters but I claim 1 x probable Do 17.

Flying towards a distant melee I managed to see a Bf 109 in a tangle with two amazing Hurricanes. I heard the Boss giving the Hun his all and went to see if I could assist even further. The Boss broke off, his guns now empty, and I managed a parting burst into the stricken Bf 109, smoke pouring from the fuselage. I never saw the machine crash but was only too happy to play a part in the destruction of yet another black crossed harbinger of death. I claim 1 x damaged Bf 109.

I made R/T contact with the brave PO Meaker to arrange a rendezvous. As I headed my incredible Hurricane towards his position I heard reports that a Hun Floatplane had been seen leaving the Dover Harbour area, heading back towards France. I radioed Meaker my change of plan and made to intercept the Hun. I soon saw the floatplane at about 2,000ft above the Channel and steered my awesome machine in to an attacking position. I fired a long burst of my deadly DeWilde mix and immediately the float plane began to fly in an erratic circle, similar to that seen when 64 Sqn get together in the air. I managed to fly my deadly pursuit machine to give another death dealing burst of welcoming lead and the float plane promptly inverted and crashed into the Channel. I claim 1 x Floatplane destroyed.

I was now Winchester and heading towards the coast when I was suddenly attacked by an unknown assailant. I craned my neck round just in time to see a deadly Bf 109 commencing another attack. My fantastic flying machine had been dealt a mortal blow and the engine seized almost immediately. I tried to evade but the awesome Hurricane was unable to respond. I grabbed my photo of Yvette from the instrument panel, opened the hood and inverted my fantastic machine to allow me to fall from it. I pulled the chute rip cord and felt a welcoming tug as the chute deployed. Luckily I was about 100 yards from the coast and I watched as my majestic Hurricane dipped into the waters of the Channel to rest her weary frame. I was able to swim ashore and made contact with the local Coastal Defence Force who arranged for some transport to get me home to Kenley.

I was able to meet and brief the Sqn Adjutant, who listened to my story with awe. After briefing I made my way to the mess to have a couple of spirits to warm me up and catch up with the rest of the chaps. It was while I was there that I met a nice young filly from the Survival Equipment Section who turned out to be the very WAAF who had packed my parachute. When I told her what had happened she became very emotional as the last persons chute she had packed didn’t come back. She asked me if I wanted to see how she packed her chutes and naturally I accepted. I said we could go to the dinghy section, too, where we could see the rubber suits, and open the bottles of wine. I don’t remember anything after that.

Claims:
Destroyed: 1 x Heinkel Float plane (He 51?)
Probable: 1 x Do17
Damaged: 1 x Bf 109

Losses:
Pilot: Wet but OK
A/C: Definitely not Fully Serviceable.

Tea, Promotion and Medals due for helping to save England again.
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Bully
Posts: 2676
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:06 pm
Location: Gloucestershire, UK

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 13: 25th July 1940

Post by Bully » Wed Apr 30, 2014 9:01 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: SD
Pilot name: Bully
Date: 25th July 1940
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia
Marking: B for Beer
Serial number: L2038

After engaging the first run of DO-17s and getting good hits into one. I got involved in a fight with 109's above Dover. After losing altitude and evading them, I found myself on the deck just in land of the docks.

I noticed a flight of JU-88's dive bombing the ships in the harbour. I climbed above them to get a bit of altitude, and to get speed for my attack. When I was a couple of hundred feet above them, I picked up speed and attacked the lead bomber.

Herman in the gunners position of the 88 must have had his Weetabix for breakfast as he planted the bullets from his pea shooter straight into my engine. The old bird started to shake, but I was determined to get some shots into the bomber. Still carrying speed, I got within range and blasted his starboard wing and engine. He started leaking fuel from his wing and oil from his engine. Now seriously wounded, the stricken 88 started to lose speed dramatically. Surely Fritz would never make France.

By now the engine on my Hurricane was giving up the ghost. To far away from any airfield to make a landing , I selected a flat looking field, dropped the undercarriage, and put her down.
As it turned out a was only a few yards form the 9th hole at the golf course, now where’s my 8 iron?

Claims
Destroyed: N/A
Probable : 1 x JU-88
Damaged: 1 x DO-17

Losses
Pilot - Survived
A/C – In a field
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Deeside
Posts: 30
Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2014 3:15 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire, UK

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 13: 25th July 1940

Post by Deeside » Thu May 01, 2014 4:19 pm

Squadron: No. 64 Squadron
Squadron Code: SH
Pilot Name: Deeside
Base: Kenley
Type: Spitfire Ia 100 octane
Marking: K
Date: 25th July 1940

From Kenley, the squadron headed for the coast around Dover. Spotted several 109s above me, but lost contact after gaining altitude. Dropped down to investigate further contacts, which proved to be friendly. Considered clipping the wing tips of the Hurricanes as this would save other 64 Squadron pilots from also confusing them with 109s. I then headed towards mid-Channel to provide cover for returning aircraft. When the action had quietened down, I landed at Hawkinge in time to enjoy the funeral pyre of a couple of Spits.

Claims:

Destroyed: 0
Probable: 0
Damaged: 0

Losses:

Pilot: OK
Aircraft: OK, landed at Hawkinge

Bunny
Posts: 5431
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 2:56 pm

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 13: 25th July 1940

Post by Bunny » Fri May 02, 2014 12:15 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: "SD"
Pilot name: Bunny
Base: Kenley
Date: 25th July 1940
Type: Hawker Hurricane I
Marking: "N for Nuts"
Serial number: P3084

Finally back in the old 'pit after a short bout of temporary blindness following the abominable landing I managed a few missions ago. Woke up to one unholy blurry mess - naturally assumed I'd had one too many snifters the evening before so went back to sleep. Came round three weeks later, Yvette at the side of my bed and a quack not too far away. Surprised to see her there, but the crew had insisted she be there at the ready for when I came round - her bed-side manner being infamous. After a good helping of bed-side manner, I signed myself off and here I am, back with the old crew and raring to take to the skies once more.

Sitting on the side, waiting for order to roll, everyone's nattering ten to the dozen. "Who's FC-N?" inquired Mauf, in his slightly unnerving accent (he claims to be from the Orkneys but I have my doubts). Incredulous answers all round, until I realise it's me! Some silly bunter has only gone and painted the initials FC over my old SD - no idea what they stand for, but I can have a bloody good guess. Jealous of my time with Yvette no doubt, it could have been anyone in 501 - or 615 for that matter. 64 were innocent for sure - she's way too much woman for them to handle. I mean, they struggle handling their Spitfires and they don't even have gussets!

I should've kept the incontinent pads the doc had given me - the roar of over twenty Hurricanes taking to the skies almost made me wish I had rubber kegs. What a sound! Order from the Wingco - heading Dover, climb to 10,000ft and CAP - but not before a quick buzz of No.64 - just to make sure they'd woken up.

A few minutes later we're cruising at angels 10 - Panta squadron inform us there are 109s at Dover, sweeping the air in front of their bomber formation. As we approach the coastline, we spot the enemy ahead, but at least 2,000ft higher than us. Climbing to gain a bit more altitude, I banked to the right and approached from beneath the belly of a Dornier Do 17. The sky filled with tracers, scouring the air - lethal searchlights seeking out their prey. Here and there a Do 17 dropped from formation, belching a trail of fumes - one less to make it to their target - our homes and factories. I overshot the first attack from beneath, and pushed my nose down to gain more speed for a second attempt. Cries from Osprey - "Break Break!". I checked my six - it wasn't me - Meaker came over the comms "I'm okay sir - I'm okay". Thank God for that - he's a good egg, and besides, he still owes me a few pints. I line up on the left-hand side of the formation - just approaching convergence when tracers fly past my canopy. I can hear the ping of rounds hitting the aircraft behind me - I swing to the left, the firing stops. I swing back and the searing line of white-hot rounds begin again. Pop pop pop pop - the impacts get quickly louder until the pain! My left leg is searing - every synapse firing as I struggle to stay conscious. Don't flake out now Bunny - you'll never see the ground again, and you'll never see those pints either! The thought of Dutch courage waiting for me below gave me good old British courage to stay on. The culprit, a 109, shot over my head and arced skywards. He knew I was out of it and left me alone - thank heaven's for small mercies and honourable pilots. I fired all I had left at the receding Do 17 until my aircraft started to drop. A quick scan around, trying to ascertain the damage, highlighted the fact I'd lost my right aileron. There must have been more though as the old girl was losing power and height quickly. It was bad - but it could have been so much worse. Positives; I had my consciousness, I had strength, I had two wings and height. To top it all off, below I could make out Hawkinge airfield. This was going to be easy - and no swimming home for me this time! As I dropped down as gently as I could manage, not wanting to stress the airframe any more than required, the eerie sound of my mates still in the thick of it persisted in my headset - oddly juxtaposed against the relative solitude of my own situation...me, my aircraft's failing engine and most noticeable, the rush of the wind past my open canopy. It was an almost out of body experience - hearing everyone as though sitting next to me, but seeing them float further and further away, until only dots and lines in the sky remained.

Reality hit me with a jolt - the Merlin failed me completely - the last 2,000 yards or so was a glide, propeller set to coarse to minimise drag and rads closed for the same reason - no need for a radiator on a dead engine! An almost perfect three-point landing, with a tad of side slip, and I was down, safe. Seconds later another Hurricane leaking fuel drops on to the airfield - KW-T - 615 squadron. They got to the fight ahead of us - he must've seen some action. I taxied over to him and parked up, waiting for some help to get back to that bed. Who knows - Yvette might still be keeping it warm for me.

Claims
Destroyed:
Probable:
Damaged: 1 x Dornier Do 17

Losses
Pilot: OK, flesh wound to the left leg.
A/C: In one piece, but rather think a new engine might be in order.

“It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes I-16s.” - Douglas Adams


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Random
Posts: 614
Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2013 7:16 pm
Location: Croydon

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 13: 25th July 1940

Post by Random » Sat May 03, 2014 6:34 pm

Squadron: No.615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron code: "KW"
Pilot name: Random
Date: 25th July 1940
Time: 1140hrs
Landed: ----
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia
Marking: N
Serial number:

Synopsis:

Took off from kenley and headed out to dover. Spotted 2 AE and investigated. They were 109s but didn't spot me, attempted to close on them to engage but no use.
Then spotted the bomber group made one good pass on them before getting shot through the canopy by some damn sniper gunner!

RTB'D (PC crashed at this point grr!)


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

Pilot: Injured
Aircraft: Damaged

Vranac
Posts: 1281
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:59 pm

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 13: 25th July 1940

Post by Vranac » Sat May 03, 2014 7:51 pm

Squadron: No. 64 Squadron
Squadron Code: SH
Pilot Name: Vranac
Base: Kenley
Type: Spitfire Ia
Marking: V
Serial number: N3231

Takeoff from Kenley to intercept enemy bombers heading for Dover harbor. Approaching Dover we heard on comms that our Hurricanes already engaged bombers and enemy fighters. We spotted bomber group and a big furball behind them. We went right into the swarm of aeroplanes.
I saw one Me109 passing in front of me then climbed and I followed but someone bounced him and started shooting. I climbed and spotted another higher on a top of a loop. He dived down and I followed. Up , down, up down again, I hit him few times but without any impact.
Then he dived again and tried to runaway but I gave him a good burst so when we went over Dover harbor he slowed down very much, probably because engine problems. I overshooted but climed and went down on him again giving him another burst while he was gliding.
Venom stayed with me all the time so we went inland climbing and looking around because there were a lot of aeroplanes and flak above us.
We went toward Manston when suddenly Venom called six, I broke instantly and saw 109 on his six. He turned and avoided 109 and I jumped on him. He tried to dive away but I was on him. Then he went toward Dover and climbed into the smoke and I gave him a few hits.
He dived again toward harbor and I gave him another good burst with the last of my ammo. He was leaving a trace of glycol and smoke and I called Venom to finish him but because his wing was damaged he couldn't catch up.
I turned around and landed at Manston. Someone (Wigs,Thaine ?) reported that he burned that damaged 109.
Took off again because there was still some enemy aeroplanes over the coast but when I came back everything was over.
In a landing approach I mistaken two ships for aeroplanes and asked two times is anyone on a landing approach.
I landed and then at the middle of the aerodrome had crash with Binkitone. What a strange coincidence,
I think we couldn't repeat that if we tried )


Claims:
Destroyed: 1 x Me109, 1 x Me109 shared
Probable: none
Damaged: none

Losses:
Pilot: Burned to death
A/C: A few parts left for souvenirs
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