Kanalkampf. Mission 16: 29th July 1940

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Dickie
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Kanalkampf. Mission 16: 29th July 1940

Post by Dickie » Sun May 25, 2014 5:14 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron Code: SD
Pilot Name: Osprey
Date: 29th July 1940
Time: 0700hrs
Aerodrome: Hawkinge
Type: Hawker Hurricane Mk.Ia
Marking: K for King
Serial: L2329

Synopsis:
I was fast asleep when Cpl Moxey, my batman, woke me. Still dark I went for my revolver believing we were under attack. "No Sir, it's me, Cpl Moxey!" he explained as I came around from my daze. "Here's your tea sir". "Sorry Moxey old bean, my mistake, I was dreaming about fighting Huns and then there you were. Carry on. What's the form?". "It's command Sir, they are on the phone and want you right away". "Bloody hell, it's another early one down on the coast I bet". I pulled on the uniform and headed for the ops room where FO Looky was already waiting, waving about steadying himself on a chest of drawers. "Christ Looky are you still drunk?" "I'm afraid just a bit Sir, it was a celebration of 64 Sqn's 64th destroyed enemy last night Sir". "Oh Lord, well 501 have a long way for that then" I replied. "Hallo command, what's the form?" I asked on the red telephone, "Kenley will head down to Hawkinge this morning and await orders. Please be at 30 minutes readiness. That is all.", "Understood command, but what about those cannons I asked for?", "That is all Kenley" <click>. Blast it, as much as I love the browning gun it was a bugger to bring a large Jerry casket with one. "Go wake them all up Corporal".........

The trip down from Kenley was uneventful except for the blazing row I had with the station maintenance officer, PO Henderson, who had insisted that V6620, my battle hardened trusty steed of a Hurricane which has dealt death and destruction to Jerry in France and Britain was grounded! "According to my records you've used the BCO too much so it's time for overhaul, the manual says....", "The manual doesn't bloody well say anything about wars being on man" I shouted at him. "Now get me my P for Pip". "I can't sir, I have ordered that the head come off her for inspection". "Inspection? INSPECTION!!" I was roaring by now, "Did I complain about problems Pilot Officer? Do you recall me mentioning a knocking noise? How can you show me that P for Pip will be on form when she is returned after you've cut her apart? You bloody clot". "We have K for King ready for you Sir". "Not L2329?", "Yes sir". Oh Christ, L2329 was the dog of the Squadron. She'd been ridden by more pilots than that French tart Yvette who FO Teepee is always going on about, and Nigsy had recently been seen using her wheels as a lamppost of convenience. "Don't let this happen again Henderson or I'll have you in Scotland on Tiger Moths, you bloody fool". "I'm sorry Sir, it won't happen again". So I strapped myself into L2329, there was a bit of a smell and I was worried some things just wouldn't work at all but all of the checks went OK and soon the familiar smells of firing Merlin filled the air.
We'd landed at Hawkinge at around 0600, had the tanks topped up and all of us had just enough time for egg and bacon in the marvellous NAAFI on that 'drome. Looky was in his cockpit sobering up on the oxygen and bacon along with several of No.64, I was concerned about their performance today, too much drinking costs lives but this time it was good for moral and I didn't want to spoil things. It was looking a fine day I pointed out to FO Bonkin, "Jerry will spoil it" he pointed out, and he was right because next thing the telephone was ringing. "Scramble Kenley, 60+ coming in two waves from Calais". The bell rang and we ran to our kites.....

I led Mandrel off first closely followed by Panta and Freema in the rear. At angels 14 over Deal I made a circuit and Panta took up the offence against the first wave who were mid channel, beaming into them from the back. Dozens of black dots littered the sky in small groups weaving amongst each other. "You are clear Panta" I said over the R/T as they pressed the attack. Meanwhile Mandrel had turned about, Mauf was Red 2 for me today and followed in perfect position. As we closed the main group from their starboard flank a schwarm of 109's passed 3000ft below us. I ordered the attack on the Stuka's whilst Mauf and I rolled over and dropped on the unsuspecting rotters below. Gaining quickly I missed the wingman who seemed to fail to warn his leader and I let him have a large squirt for his trouble. I witnessed strikes in vital areas and he dropped away for France. I claim this 109 as probable. Mauf struck the wingman hard and gycol poured from his machine. Shortly afterwards red 2 was having fun with the other two 109's of the schwarm all by himself just behind me as I repositioned, I turned about and cleared his tail whilst he gained on the other. I suspect they were in shock that 2 Hurricanes could bring about the demise of 4 109's, but that was fact and another rotten egg breakfast for Hitler and his scoundrel henchmen. I saw Mauf strike home and the 109 caught fire in the starboard wing before he jettisoned his canopy and jumped. I had my finger on the Dunlop button just in case but it wasn't needed. Mauf and I became separated as we were both attacked. I evaded my pursuer who had greater energy and flew well, he made no mistakes so I couldn't get to him and decided to bolt to Dover. He then let me go. I climbed up back to angels 12 when the R/T advised of another inbound raid of 20+. I called the wing into position to attack them and there they were mid channel and with only 2 escort fighters. I made a head on attack and damaged 2 Stukas, one from each squadron, the strikes resulting in fuel leaks as the smell of cordite filled the cockpit. Then I turned about and made a pass on the rearmost gaggle striking lethal lead into one of the jackbooted vermin and he fell away. I claim this Stuka as probable. Setting up for a another pass I misjudged my speed after firing all I could, striking him all over, before we collided. My machine entered a spin at 11,000ft, 2 miles off Dover, I managed to pull back the canopy and jump for it and floated down safely. I could see the battle from my parachute, many aeroplanes dropping down on fire including the Hun I had rammed. I only saw one parachute from his machine so that's one fewer of them goose-stepping his way through Kent I thought to myself. I claim the final Stuka as destroyed as I saw him crash into the sea 1 mile off Dover harbour. Fortunately the wind took me nearer to the coast and the Navy had seen my 'chute so sent out a motor launch.

Claims:
Destroyed: 1x Stuka
Probable: 1x Me109, 1x Stuka
Damaged: 2x Stuka

Lost:
1x Hurricane Ia

Siddich
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Location: Illertissen, Germany

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 16: Monday 29th July

Post by Siddich » Sun May 25, 2014 8:51 pm

Squadron: No. 615
Squadron Code:KW
Pilot Name: Pilot Officer Siddich
Date: 29th July 1940
Time: 0700hrs
Aerodrome: Hawkinge
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia
Marking: KW-H
Serial: L2025

Synopsis:
- Taking off as Red 3
- contact with bombers and escort, went for a pair of 109s, who were following Red 1
- damaged 1 (radiator streaming)
- killed pilot of another 1 (was close could see pilot with blood all over him ;-)
- damaged by 2 109s, wounded
- tried to follow running stukas
- damaged a few of them

Plane:
hits all over the plane, damaged guns

Pilot:
wounded

Claims:
1x Bf 109 confirmed
1X Bf 109 damaged
1/2 x Stuka confirmed
3 x Stukas damaged
----------------
sum: 1 1/2 kill
4 planes damaged
Last edited by Siddich on Sun May 25, 2014 9:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Robo
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Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 16: Monday 29th July

Post by Robo » Sun May 25, 2014 8:56 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron

Squadron code: "SD"

Pilot name: Robo.

Date:

Time:
Landed:
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia
Marking: U for Uncle
Serial number: R4105

Synopsis:

Flying as Gold leader with F/Sgt. Sabre and Sgt. Flick. Climbing to Angels 20, our section was attacked by 4+ 109s from the port side, I ordered the section to break into them and defend, I flew straight through the enemy formation and dropped behind one 109 that was shooting a 90 degrees deflection shot on Gold 2. I maneuvered behind him and caught him in his climb - my burst hit the engine and cockpit area, black smoke poured from the front section, but I did not follow this aircraft as I was worried about the rest of the flight as well as about myself. Indeed, there was another 109 turning behind me. I escaped in a split S maneuver and extended towards England. Unfortunately, I did not manage to re-group with my Gold section anymore and my R/T appeared to be non functional. I claim this 109 as probably destroyed. Gaining altitude again, I flew over Dover harbour, but the Stukas reported by the rest of the Squadron were nowhere to be seen. I have seen a small groups of friendly a/c fighting a lone 109 and then I spotted a lone Stuka flying hdg 180, was he damaged? Was he trying to bomb Hawkinge? There was no time to think, I dropped on him and attacked him. The plane went straight down, crashing almost vertically. Poor bugger. Climbing again, I dropped on a 109 right over the harbour, but he has seen me just in time and rolled away into the dive, which I did not follow. I was very unlucky but in the very busy area I did not happen to come across any enemy aircraft. I tried to follow Stukas towards the French coast, right on the deck I witnessed two local dogfights - to the south, two No.64 Spitfires were chasing one unlucky 109, and another one to the East, which involved 4 contacts. I dove on the climbing 109 and gave him a good burst, glycol smoke pouring down his radiators - this plane was certainly doomed, I climbed back up (and my game ended up in a big lag, I probably even collided with this a/c, he has apparently bailed out before or after that, and my game has crashed)... I will probably amend this as a collision and ASR situation when I read what happened from this German pilot's diary. :( My apologies.

Pilot - OK
Plane - ? launcher crash

Claims
1x 109 destroyed
1x Ju-87 destroyed
1x 109 probable (black smoke)

Katt
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Mission # 16

Post by Katt » Sun May 25, 2014 8:59 pm

Squadron: No. 615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: WK
Pilot Name: Katt
Date: 29 July 1940
Time: 0700hrs
Base: Hawkinge
Type: Hawker Hurricane I
Marking: P
Serial Number: R4194

Snyopsis: Squadron scramble, formed up in good order and flew as Blue 4 and wingman to Flt Sgt Baron. Engaged the second section of a formation of Ju87's damaging one while Flt Sgt Baron damaged no less than 8 E/A's. Dived to evade and reacquired the E/A formation damaging a second Ju87 before suffering control damage to ailerons and returning to base where the a/c was damaged in a crash landing.

Claims
Destroyed: 0
Probable: 0
Damaged: 2 Ju87

Losses
Pilot: OK
A/C: Damaged but repairable
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Hawes
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Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 16: Monday 29th July

Post by Hawes » Sun May 25, 2014 9:01 pm

Squadron: No.615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron code: "KW"
Pilot name: Hawes
Date: 29th July 1940
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia
Marking: T for 'Toc'
Serial number: L2098

'Panta' was scrambled along with 'Mandrel' and 'Freema' to intercept raids coming across the channel. We took off and head to Deal to Rendez-vous with 'Mandrel' at Angles 8. We then turned towards France and caught up with E/A just off Le Cap Gris Nez. I sent Red and Blue sections into the JU87s and told them to watch out for snappers.
We damaged most of the Ju87 and were set apon by 109s. I personally damaged 5 or 6 Ju87s and saw two of them drop away. I also attacked a 109 who went into a violent spin.
I was by now low over Dover and was attacked by a 109. I was hit in the leg and my engine started running rough. I headed towards Hawkinge but was losing altitude too quickly. I ditched in a field just to the W of Dover.

Claims
Destroyed: 0
Probable: 1 Me 109, 2 JU87
Damaged: 3 Ju 87s

Lost
Pilot: Wounded
A/C: Forced landed

Mauf
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Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 16: Monday 29th July

Post by Mauf » Sun May 25, 2014 9:18 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: SD
Pilot name: Mauf
Date: 29th July 1940
Base: Hawkinge
Type: Hawker Hurricane I
Marking: "D for Don"
Serial number: LI898

Synopsis:
Take-off from Hawkinge as Red 2. Made contact with the german bomber wings over the channel, south-south-east of Dover. Engaged 109 escorts over bombers on Red Leaders order. Got shots into a 109, causing a radiator streamer. 109 bugged out back towards France, stayed with Red Leader engaging a second 109. Got shots into the second 109 causing a flamer. Pilot bailed, confirmed by Red Leader. After this, red leader climbed to higher altitude to persue new bomber formation but couldn't follow because of another 109. 109 disengaged after prolonged turnfight but got caused me to get seperated from Red Leader. Therefore returned to Dover port area, altitude angels 3 whereupon I entered another dogfight. Engaged and flamed a third 109 over Dover that was gunning for another Hurricane. Tried to climb to higher altitude to rejoin Red Leader but got interdicted again by two new 109s. After prolonged turnfight managed to put some shots into one 109, causing a streamer. 109 bugged out towards France. Tried to finish it off but went winchester and returned to base.

Claims:
Destroyed: 2xME109
Probable: 0
Damaged: 2xME109 since both bugged out towards France immediately.

Losses:
Pilot: Okay
AC: Okay

Biggles
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Location: Cambridgeshire, England

Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 16: Monday 29th July

Post by Biggles » Sun May 25, 2014 10:04 pm

Squadron: No.615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron code: "KW"
Pilot name: Biggles
Date: 29th July 1940
Base: Hawkinge
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia
Marking: I for "Ink"

Synopsis:
Scrambled from Hawkinge, took off in blue flight, we travelled over the coast and out to the channel. Panta engaged the rear flight of Ju 87 "Stukas" crossing the channel. We wet in one by one and commenced to strafe the enemy. I gave the right Stuka of the rear formation a good long squirt with the old .303 he started to wobble and began to drop and I started to feel a large sense of pride and smug satisfaction, it at this point however I was cockpit snipped by Aurora and the aircraft presently caught fire and the Ju 87 gunner pumped a stream of lead into my right wing. Damn. The aircraft plummeted out of the sky in a flaming death spin and that was the end of that!

Claims;
Destroyed:0
Probable: 1
Damaged: 0

Losses:
Pilot: KIA
A/C: Lost
Last edited by Biggles on Sun May 25, 2014 11:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Baron le Scrope
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Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 16: Monday 29th July

Post by Baron le Scrope » Sun May 25, 2014 10:52 pm

No615.
Squadron code: "KW"
Pilot name:Baron.
Date: 29th July 1940
Time: 07.00hrs
Base: Hawkinge
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia
Marking:B for beer.
Serial number: P3231

Took off from Hawkinge as No2 to P/O Random in Blue flight with Sac's Katt and Biggles as No' 3 and 4. Biggles was experiencing engine probs and fell behind. Ordered by W/Co Osprey to engage the second wave of bombers which turned out to be Ju87s, followed P/O Random towards the Ju's who scored some nice hits on one of them but unfortunately collided with the Stuka. I attacked the outer most three working my way from starboard to port damaging all of them resulting in all streaming, i rolled over the top and lined up on the next 3 and attacked from underneath and had those 3 streaming with one breaking formation and diving down to sea with me in tow, he crashed into the sea near Dover. Skipper informed us of another wave that was heading our way, i headed out to sea climbing as fast as i could, at 10k Katt formed up again and stuck to me like glue. We spotted the formation at about 4mls off the coast heading towards Deal who then changed course towards the ships that were steaming down the channel. Katt got some good hits on one but got caught in the crossfire and said he was returning to base. I damaged the left outermost and the next one, both were streaming, leaving him i started to line up on the next one but was caught in the crossfire, i pressed the tit but ran out of ammo after 2secs.
My engine was now protesting and the screen started to oil up so i dived towards land, my merlin giving up, i altered the pitch to zero, rad fully closed, but ended up short of Hawkinge, putting her down gracefully in a corn field at Capel Le Ferne with minimal damage, thankful that it was a trusty Hurricane. Received a lift back to base on a horse and cart with four Land girls, Took us four days to get to base. M.O said i was suffering from fatigue, but could'nt understand why as he passed me as A1 the previous day at my checkup.

Claims:
Probables:7 Ju87s
Damaged:
Destroyed: 1 Ju87 crashed in sea off Dover, not confirmed
Losses: Pilot: OK
A/C. Damaged port wing tip
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Think nothing of it sir, it was the least I could do, a quantity I specialize in.

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Kev
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Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 16: Monday 29th July

Post by Kev » Sun May 25, 2014 11:31 pm

Squadron: No.615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: Kev
Call sign: Red 2
Date: 29th July 1940
Time: 07.00hrs
Base: Hawkinge
Type: Hurricane I Rotol
Marking: L - London
Serial Number: V6618

Synopsis:

Sqn received the order to scramble and took of took off from Hawkinge and headed out on a course of approx 120 degrees. I formed up on Red Leader to his rear starboard quarter and maintained position until we sited the enemy mid-channel. The composition of the raid appeared to be largely JU 87’s with fighter escort.

Red leader made the first pass on the enemy formation and scored hits on a JU87. I followed slightly behind to his rear port. I selected the leader of the right hand rear Vic and closed with my man rapidly. I fired a 3 second burst and registered hits along the wing roots and fuselage. As I passed above him, he climbed slightly and I clipped him damaging the front of my aircraft it became apparent there was no lateral control. I took the decision to bail out. The parachute opened ok and I drifted down and landed in the channel.

I was in the water for approximately 40 minutes before a royal naval launch spotted me waving madly. I was dragged aboard by two sailors and offered a tot of rum and a Players cigarette for which I was eternally grateful. The trip back was uneventful however I was reminded why I joined the RAF rather than the Navy due to my stomach recycling the rum over the side of the launch several times.

The launch docked at Dover and deposited me just in time for last orders to settle my weary nerves. Very grateful to be back on dry land, I telephoned the guardroom at Hawkinge and informed them I was still in one piece and would need transport as soon as possible.

A valuable lesson learned. Leave the Hun some room!!


Claims:

Destroyed: Nil
Probable: 1xJU87
Damaged: Nil
Losses: 1xHurricane-serial:V6618
Pilot: Ok

End Report

LAC Kev 615 Sqn
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Venom
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Re: Kanalkampf. Mission 16: Monday 29th July

Post by Venom » Mon May 26, 2014 6:46 am

Squadron: No.64 Squadron
Squadron code: "SH"
Pilot name: Venom.
Base: Hawkinge
Type: Spitfire Ia 100 octane
Marking: Z
Serial number: L1030

Synopsis:
Rolled Hawkinge after 501 and 615 were already forming over deal. Joined at the back of the pack in Red flight as Number Three, with Nitrous as Red Leader and Binky as Red Two. During take off we seemed to lose Binky, but I think he knew where we were in the formation. We climbed to angels 15 heading towards deal before we turned starboard towards France to intercept a large formation of 20+ enemy bombers heading our way. 64 Squadron orders were to engage fighters thus covering the hurricane squadrons while they smashed bombers. Red leader and myself seemed to find ourselves acting spearhead as we headed towards a colossal fur-ball mid channel. I spotted two contacts off our nose high above the fight, looking suspiciously like the place a 109 might lurk, I suggested to Red leader that we climb and ID them. As we got close they turned south and I confirmed them as two 109's. But we could barely catch them so decided not to play their game, breaking off to rejoin the rest of the squadron engaged still with fighters near the English Coast and above allied shipping.

A bit of confusion when a 109 buzzed past me pursued by what I think was a spitfire. I called it out and No.64_Vranac responded like he was engaged, so we stayed high and for a moment before getting disconnected from my Lead, but we soon found eachother feet dry/feet wet just north of Dover. I don't remember the order of what happened next, but we found ourselves engaged with a 109 covering Stuka's diving on Dover Harbour. I got some light hits on his wing before jumping out to let Nitrous pepper him with .303 finishing him off nicely. We made one pass on a couple of Ju87's before climbing out. I spotted another 109 that Red leader and another spitfire formed with him had both missed. I broke off to pursue and he dove towards the safety of France. I should have let him go but wanted the kill. This could've been a fatal mistake. I slowly but surely crept up on the 109, but we were getting dangerously close to France. I passed two other contacts without identifying them because I was too fixated on the one I was chasing. I finally got into range and fired, blowing his radiator which had him streaming water. He tried evasive manoeuvres and I elected to stay on his six, as to not present him with mine by immediately running home. But I wish I had because the cheeky swine pulled a nice little move and got a couple of expertly placed cannon hits on my wing, creating a lot of drag and making my bird a bit of a hand full. Ten seconds later and I was being attacked by a further two 109's. Probably the two contacts I'd ignored before. I did my best to break but the damage on my wing made it near impossible to be defensive, eventually having my wing blown clean off. I was at low altitude and going in, but reacted quickly and somehow managed to bail out just in time for a soft landing in cold water.

Claims
Destroyed: Nil
Probable: 1x 109 (venting water).
Damaged: 1x 109, hits on wing. 1x JU87 Possible hits.

Losses:
Pilot: Cold and wet but OK.
A/C: Lost at sea.

NB. Additional info to follow --------- watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjRABBMRB7k
Last edited by Venom on Tue May 27, 2014 5:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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