Adlerangriff. Mission 25: 13th August (1. Portsmouth 1430)

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.

Moderators: Board of Directors, Administration Staff, Skin Team, Treasurers

User avatar
Donkey
Pilot Officer
Pilot Officer
Adjutant
Staff
Posts: 2829
Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2014 9:21 am
Location: Luxembourg

Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 25: 13th August (1. Portsmouth 143

Post by Donkey » Tue Sep 30, 2014 11:43 am

Squadron: No. 615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: Donkey
Date: 08/13/1940
Time: 1400 hrs.
Base: Tengmere
Type: Hawker Hurricane
Marking: P

Synopsis:

Claims:
Confirmed: 0
Probable: 1
Damaged: 1

Took off from Tangmere as part of Green section with Johnny, Spud and Biggles. I was the last of 615 to get off the ground, and followed them up to just under contrail height. We saw a pack of JU-88s below us just past Southampton and it appeared that they were flying without escort cover – so I followed Green flight in to attack, targeting the right hand section of bombers. Just before we got within range we caught site of 109s, but decided to press on regardless. I saw Biggles get hits on the rightmost 88s causing him to stream, and once Biggles was past him I put a good burst into the same bomber’s port engine, sealing his fate and seeing him spiral down. I circled around again, keeping an eye on the 109s whilst I came about, and got a second crack at the bombers. I emptied my guns and got a few more hits on a second bomber, but was closer in this time and didn’t have a chance to line up properly before I was through them again. I pulled a tight starboard turn to come around for a third time, but I had bled to much speed off and went into a spin, causing me to lose the bombers. Never mind, I was Winchester anyway so I turned for home and landed safely at Tangmere, about 3 minutes before Johnny.

Losses:
Pilot: OK
A/C: OK
Last edited by Donkey on Thu Oct 02, 2014 11:31 am, edited 2 times in total.
Image

Johnny
Posts: 343
Joined: Wed Jun 19, 2013 3:41 pm
Location: Sligo, Ireland

Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 25: 13th August (1. Portsmouth 143

Post by Johnny » Tue Sep 30, 2014 7:03 pm

Squadron: No. 615
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: "Hawkeye" Johnny
Date: 13 Aug 1940 1430, Portsmouth
Base: Tangmere
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia
Marking: Z
Serial: L1592

Took off as Green 1 with 3 Hurricanes on my wing. As a squadron we headed towards andover to intercept a formation of 20 plus JU 88s. Green flight flew top cover for red and blue flight. We spotted the bombers and moved to engage. I went down on the Nazi pigs and opened fire. I set 1 on fire on the second pass. I came around again and set another one on fire with my deWilde. Biggles comfirmed both of theese. I damaged another one and then Midge finished him off. He went down and crashed. I fired my last few rounds into a 88 and damaged both his engines. They were streaming oil and coolant. I then headed back to Tangmere and executed a perfect 3 point landing. I rearmed and took off again and headed towards the isle of wright. I climbed to Angles 16 in search of 109s. None could be found so i returned to base. It was a good day for 615.



Kills: 2 Ju 88s
Shared:1 Ju 88 with Midge
Pilot: Ok
Aircraft: Ok
Image

User avatar
Teepee
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Sqn Cdr
Posts: 970
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2012 3:40 pm
Location: Bomber County - Lincolnshire, England

Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 25: 13th August (1. Portsmouth 143

Post by Teepee » Tue Sep 30, 2014 8:14 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: "SD"
Pilot name: Flying Officer Teepee
Date: 13th Aug 1940 1430, Portsmouth
Base: RAF Tangmere
Type: Trusty Hawker Hurricane Mk 1A
Marking: "M for Marvel"
Serial number: N2617

Synopsis:

The wing had now moved to RAF Tangmere, in West Sussex, deepest rural England. It was 10 miles up the road, at Midhurst, where the famous Badgers Brewery was located. The taste of Badgers Bollocks was revered at many Squadron beer call and the beer had replaced local currency in many RAF Station Messes. It was amazing what a crate of Bollocks could achieve, in the right hands.

My trusty Hurricane had been returned to near perfect condition by the ground crew chaps. A new windscreen had been fitted and the airframe had been given a thorough inspection. They had earned their Bollocks and I duly delivered a crate to the Crew Chief. ‘Give the Chaps my thanks but only one bottle each’ I said to the Crew Chief as I knew that the 64 Sqn ground crew chappies were getting jealous of 501 Sqn’s continuous supply of Badgers. All they received were endless jars of Bryllcream and the Spittie ground crew were running out of places to get rid of it. Rumour had it the MT Section were servicing the Station Transport with the stuff, in lieu of axle grease! Of course it was completely useless but at least the WAAFs didn’t complain about the smell, any more, when they climbed into the back of the 3 tonners for some after-hours hanky panky with the dog handlers.

Once again I was to lead Blue Section and my wingmen for today were the fearless PO Meaker (Blue 2) and Sgt Mauf (Blue 3). These chaps were just typical 501 Sqn blokes. Always eager to get at Jerry but just as determined to have a damn good time in the Mess and burn a piano or two, after quaffing a few Bollocks. There was no time to arrange our usual cricket thrash with the other Hurricane Heroes on 615 Sqn, today. The Boss wanted us at cockpit readiness in no time and even threatened a few chaps with a visit to 64 Sqn to see their newly arrived posh Spitties. There was no need to repeat the order.

The green flare soared into the sky and the wing was launched into action. The sound of the mighty Merlin reverberated across the airfield and incredible Hurricanes of 615 Sqn launched first with the posh Spitties of 64 Sqn in their wake. Once the runway had been cleared of Spittie debris the amazing machines of 501 Sqn catapulted into the sky. In the now familiar routine I tucked Blue Section just behind and below the Sqn lead. In next to no time our incredible Hurricanes had reached around 18,000 ft and steely eyed Hurricane pilots scanned the horizon. We had been briefed to expect Ju88s and we set our gunsights to 66 feet in eager anticipation of despatching as many of the black crossed harbingers of death as possible. ‘Tally Ho’ was soon heard as the vermin were spotted, just South of the Isle of Wight. Blue Section let loose into the Dark Forces of Death.

I lined my awesome Hurricane onto the left hand Ju88, of a Section, and pressed the trigger. My death dealing Marvel Machine gave the Hun a long DeWilde welcome and I watched with satisfaction as the aircraft dropped down into a spiral of doom. I never saw the aircraft hit the beckoning dark waters of the Channel, however a sharp eyed Observer Corps radioed that he had seen my machine destroy itself in a plume of spray and metal. I claim 1 x Destroyed Ju88. I radioed and heard Blue Section giving Jerry a damn good thrashing too, trousers down definitely.

I lined up again in the familiar position to the left of the Section and again dealt a Ju88 engine a deathly hail of lead. Again the doomed airframe dropped and again the aircraft dived out of sight. I didn’t see the aircraft destroyed so I claim 1 x Probable Ju88.

It was while I was searching for more prey I heard the brave FO Bonkin declare he had been hit and was going to try and land the amazing machine he was flying. This was the usual stuff of a 501 Sqn Hurricane pilot so I wished him good luck and knew that the Boffins at Hawkers had designed his incredible Hurricane to survive just such a situation. Typically the unbelievable aircraft was landed and I heard Bonkin declare that he was safe. ‘Your turn for the badgers, Bonks’ I shouted, ‘Try and find a piano for later on, Old Chap’. ‘Will do’ was the reply.

It was just then that my sturdy war horse received an unlucky shot into the engine. I saw the tell-tale warning signs that my marvel machine was about to catch fire so I elected to jump before I fried. I radioed my intentions and then inverted the old girl and dropped out from the cockpit. I waited the three seconds from leaving the kite and pulled the D-Ring – NOTHING! I was pretty alarmed by now so I pulled the emergency handle. Again there was no familiar sound of rustling silk gathering to a canopy of safety. I was doomed!

It was just as the ground came rushing towards me that I was thoroughly dejected. I suddenly remembered that this would have been the first round that Bonkin had bought since we had finished flying training together. Even worse, with the £5 I loaned him he spent it on a dog when I distinctly said spend it on a Badger.........

Claims:
Destroyed: 1 x Ju88 (Confirmed by ROC)
Probable: 1 x Ju88
Damaged: None

Losses:
Pilot: Not OK at all
A/C: Requiring some awesome fettling – Badgers for the Chaps.

Tea, Cakes and Medals due for letting Bonkin off the money he owes
Last edited by Teepee on Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Image

Wiggs
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 12:48 am
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 25: 13th August (1. Portsmouth 143

Post by Wiggs » Tue Sep 30, 2014 9:41 pm

Squadron: No. 64
Squadron Code: SH
Pilot Name: Wiggs
Date:Aug 13th 1940
Base: Tangmere
Type: Spitfire 1a (100 Oct)
Marking:U
Serial number: L1040
Synopsis:

Deployed with relief after one very warm hour of idle time awaiting Intel. Flew as Red 3 in 'A' Flight as we had been split up into A and B today....Nitrous (SH-S) led Binki (SH-W) and me to 24,000 feet over the Isle of Wight. The 109's which we expected, seemed scarce at first and we had already dived on the bombers when suddenly a furball developed. 109's were everywhere and there were definitely too many aircraft in a small space. I had just pushed the firing button on a 109 diving past my sights when a collision occurred (I think with an enemy bomber) and with a nasty shock I realized that although I was still OK, my starboard wing was missing. I jammed full left foot and aileron to kept her from a nasty roll and bailed out successfully, wafting down beside the railway line between Ventnor and Newport on the Isle of Wight. Having flagged a passing passenger train, and enjoying half a sandwich shared by a generous passenger, I was on the ferry to Southampton by nightfall.

Claims
Destroyed: 0
Probable: 1 (collision)
Damaged: 0

Losses
Pilot: OK
A/C: Lost
Intel Quad Core i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67 GHz ; Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS
8 Gb Ram ; ASUS GeForce GTX770 2Gb ;
1.5 Tb HDD; Power Supply 700W CoolerMaster SilentPro ;
Samsung 1080p 60" monitor; Buttkicker 2 Gamer; TrackIR 5;
CH Products Fighterstick USB; Saitek Rudder Pedals; Saitek X52 Pro Throttle;
Home-built CF18 - inspired simulator; good scotch always ready so no bingo fuel

Nitrous
Posts: 307
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 6:41 pm

Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 25: 13th August (1. Portsmouth 143

Post by Nitrous » Wed Oct 01, 2014 12:47 pm

Squadron: No. 64 Squadron
Squadron Code: SH
Pilot Name: Nitrous
Date: 13th Aug 1940 1430, Portsmouth
Base: Tangmere
Type: Supermarine Spitfire Ia 100 Oct
Marking: S for Sausage(Wobbely)

Claims
Destroyed 2xJu88
Probable NONE
Damaged NONE

Lost
Plane and Pilot(Parachute failed to Open)

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

Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 25: 13th August (1. Portsmouth 143

Post by Meaker » Wed Oct 01, 2014 6:05 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: "SD"
Pilot name: P/O 'Meaks' Meaker
Date: 13th Aug 1940 1430, Portsmouth
Base: RAF Tangmere
Type: Trusty Hawker Hurricane Mk 1A (100 Octane)
Marking: G for George
Serial number: P2793




Claims
Destroyed 2 xJu88
Probable 1 x Ju88
Damaged N/A

Lost:
Pilot: KIA shot down courtesy of Mr Trautloft.....Grrr
A/C: Rusting in 'Davy Jones's Locker'

Biggles
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed May 21, 2014 9:20 pm
Location: Cambridgeshire, England

Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 25: 13th August (1. Portsmouth 143

Post by Biggles » Wed Oct 01, 2014 9:15 pm

Squadron: No. 615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: Biggles
Date: 08/13/1940
Time: 1400 hrs.
Base: Tengmere
Type: Hawker Hurricane 100 oct
Marking: I for "Ink"

After taking off form Tangmere of all places along with 501 we were ready to give the hun a damn good thrashing! This was after however green flight buzzing up 501 whilst they were still on the ground, the less said about that the better. My kite started to experience engine difficulties probably due to that Bloody fuel pump jacket that the ground crew hadn't replaced, well I suppose gaffa tape works fine, it is what is holding the country together after all. Anyway once looking up from furiously tapping the dials on the dash I found I had lost the squadron. After a few circles and some helpful RT exchanges which included "WHERE THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU!" and "WERE NEAR PORTSMOUTH!", I found the rest of the chaps.

Then the fun started I spotted a three groups of bombers all of them JU-88s I may have been a bit jumbled with screaming this because somebody also shouted fighters at the same time. I dived down on the rearmost pack and gave the far right one a good exchange of friend bullets leaving him streaming, before I was rudely interrupted but those bally 109s. A stray cannon shell hit my leg but I carried on regardless. I evaded the 109 with the most elegant of turning dives. After pulling out of the dives I sent another of the buggers streaming before again the 109 came back for more, (I'm sure it was that cad Wolf He's always after me for some reason!), after evading for the second time with the grateful aid of Kev, I finally had a good run on the centre right of the first formation 120ft 110ft 100ft 90ft......HAH GOT YOU YOU CAD!. I sent the bugger diving to earth with oily black smoke trailing from the left engine. Then my friend bullets ran out. Damn. Oh that's a lot of blood I said to myself as my bad leg and foot slipped off the rudder pedal because of the blood. The floor was red not good. I thought I was going to die before I reached Tangmere. But luckily there was a small clearing just on the coast near portsmouth, I put myself down on a perfect three pointer, better than any other of my landings in fact, and after switching off clamber half fell out onto the wing of my kite before seeing some of those home guard fellows running towards me. I later learned that Midge and Kev had nobbled the streamers I got and had downed them both! Good show gents. over all another day survived with a bit of leave on the side, home for tea and medals! A good day for 615 not a single death!

Claims:

Destroyed: 1x Ju 88 Shared 2x Ju 88s (Good show Midge and Kev)
Probable: 0
Damaged: 0

Pilot and A/C:

Pilot: Fine after bit of leave
A/C: Hunky dory after gaffataping the two holes in the port wing

Bully
Posts: 2676
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:06 pm
Location: Gloucestershire, UK

Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 25: 13th August (1. Portsmouth 143

Post by Bully » Thu Oct 02, 2014 1:17 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: "SD"
Pilot name: Bully
Date: 13th Aug 1940 14:30, Tangmere
Base: RAF Tangmere
Type: Trusty Hawker Hurricane Mk 1a (100 Octane)
Marking: B for Beer
Serial number: L2038

Attacked the bombers with the rest of green section, but did not see a lone bomber slightly behind the main formation we attacked, and we collided. Cue many profanities and much rage.

Claims
Destroyed: Ju88 (via ramming)
Probable: N/a
Damaged: The hearts of many a WAAF due to my incompetence.

Pilot: Dead, and extremely pissed off about it!
Hurricane: Shattered into many splinters
Image

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

Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 25: 13th August (1. Portsmouth 143

Post by Bunny » Thu Oct 02, 2014 11:56 pm

Squadron: No. 501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron Code: "SD"
Pilot Name: Fg Off. "Bunny" Hewitt
Date: 13th Aug 1940
Time: 1430
Base: RAF Station Tangmere
Type: Hawker Hurricane Mk 1a (100 Oct)
Marking: "N" for Nuts
Serial Number: P3084

Synopsis:

"Pull the tit chaps, we're going to go flat out", came the CO's voice over comms, literally seconds after the undercarriage was stowed away on take off. Murmurs of awe were traded between a couple of the new recruits, fresh from the Operational Training Unit - the sight of 14 Hurricanes carrying out a formation take off is definitely a moment of wonder.

Fg Off. Bonkin was Flt Ldr of Green section once again, myself in 2 position and Plt Off. Bully as 3 - the three B's riding together again. Some of the yanks that had joined us via Canada had taken to calling us the "Three Stooges"...no idea what they're on about but apparently they're all the rage over the pond, so it must be good.

Approaching our intercept over the Isle of Wight, chatter began in ernest over comms - each flight going through checks appropriate for the inevitable storm of enemy approaching.

"3 o'clock, 3 o'clock!" - the enemy had been spotted below us, over the Solent.

Bonkin - "Tally ho! Green, full power! Group on the far right."

We slipped to starboard, the enemy formation was crossing from left to right below us. Bonkin let fly some lead, sticking to his wing I overshot them and we climbed and rolled to drop back down. Inverted, I could make out Bully going in on one of the bombers - tracers spewing from his eight guns. As I glanced back to my cockpit, I caught an explosion in the corner of my eye - surely it couldn't be. "Bully, Bully, do you read me?" No answer. Dear God, the poor bastard had either collided with the enemy, or they'd hit his tanks. There was no parachute to be seen.

I dropped back on them again, but too shook up, I mis-timed my approach and overshot once more, pulling up in front of the entire formation! "Bloody stupid manouver", I growled at myself. "Pull yourself together man, else you'll be joining Bully down there!".

Bonkin called out he had one streaming - good show!

I pulled up on the rear of three Ju 88s, two of whom were streaming already - the lads were giving them a damned good pasting. I picked the none streamer out and fired - his left engine billowed smoke and fuel poured from both wings. I dropped down, then back up and let fly into the belly of the lead aircraft - again, more hits. They were so outnumbered, it was like shooting big, black oily fish in a barrel. The call of "Burner!" echoed over comms - the sky was filling with acrid plumes of incandescent fuel.

Bonkin gave the heads up - "109s here!", followed by "Oh dear - I've lost my wing!".

"Can you bail out?" I cried. "Think so." came a faint reply, drowned out by the sudden rush of wind from his comms, then all went silent.

I pulled up behind another two Ju88s running for home, determined to give Green section a good account for the day, despite our losses.

I called out my intent. "Is that you Bunny? On the two remainders?", questioned a voice I recognised as Meaker's.

"Roger that!" I acknowledged.

A furtive look to my right saw Meaker's grinning face looking over to my aircraft. Excellent - between us we could hammer these two. We fired in unison - his target burst into flames, great shooting! My shots landed all over the carcass of the Ju88, four jets of fuel began spurting from the wings, and oil from one side. Neither were going home! Another pass to make sure put one of his engines out of action for good - he'd have to either land in England, or ditch - his choice. Osprey was putting the call out of another wave, so I decided to conserve my ammunition for the next onslaught.

"Mandrel - head for Newport, Isle of Wight, angels 20."

Teepee and Meaker from Blue Section rogered the order - I tagged along below Meaker, I didn't fancy getting caught alone by the 109s Robo had called out not seconds before.

Minutes later we were over Gosport, still waiting for a sighting of the second wave. Sgt Mauf chipped in, in that Hebridian accent of his - "We've got flak around - be careful." Flak could only mean one of two things - either the flak monkeys thought we were enemy, or they'd seen enemy in our vicinity. Either way it wasn't good for us! I stepped up my shoulder checks - didn't want to be caught napping!

There they were! Enemy bombers ahead, emerging from the estuary mouth, running for home after dropping their eggs on our beautiful soil. Flak punctured the clear blue skies around us - various 501 pilots were converging on the formation - more unguarded Ju88s. We careered in from their six o'clock positions - one already belching choking black smoke from his starboard engine as I picked out my target.

The guns leapt into life - my rounds hit an engine, white smoke trailed behind the enemy aircraft, marking its position for all to see. I performed my usual climb, roll and drop, to keep my energy up and stay in line with the rear of the formation, whilst simultaneously making myself as hard to hit as possible. As I dropped down on the right side, I could see Osprey closing in on the nearest bomber. I could see pieces of fuselage and tail plane separate from the enemy, but it continued its straight course - these things were nails! I chose the wing man to the newly formed colander, and let rip. Again, another engine put out of action, but it continued its course.

Looking around there were three bombers left in formation - all streaming from one engine. Three of us converged on them, Teepee took the left side, someone smoked the middle aircraft which dropped from the formation, alight. I think it may have been Meaker that did for him - I could hear his voice - " - 'av some of that, Fritz!" over comms. I closed on the remaining bomber. A spitifre flew past me and fired a long volley after the enemy -
the enemy was losing fuel but refusing to go down. Eventually it was my turn - I fired into the starboard engine and pulled up - a quick look over my left shoulder showed black smoke pouring from one engine and the enemy losing altitude.

Job done! We'd cleared the skies of the enemy, time to put down somewhere - hopefully Tangmere as it wasn't too far. The joy was short-lived - Osprey's voice again - "Watch out - 109s here!".

"Bloody hell - don't they ever give up?!". Regardless of the adrenalin in my system, I was beginning to weary - my neck felt disocated from the amount of checking, and the cold was beginning to creep into my hands - despite the sun beating down from a clear sky.

"Two more 109s from the Solent!" cried Osprey. I picked them up on my low nine, going in the opposite direction - heading South. Two aircraft, one tailing the other. "One's sixing me" came a calm voice - Mauf. I was in a good position to help, so I turned and dropped on to the last aircraft in the dummy line. He saw me, climbed off Mauf and headed into the sun. I followed and as he passed in front of me I let a stream of bullets fly at him. He flew through it, a few catching his port wing in doing so. He corkscrewed in front of me, I could make out a fuel leak. I refused to follow the manouver - that would be suicidal as far as my energy was concerned. Best to retain the altitude and speed advantage and let him deplete his fuel as quickly as the new holes I'd given him would allow! He dropped away, and another hurricane picked him up - LAC Dave was on him, pounding the enemy's six with all eight of his brownings - good chap, he was really settling in to 501. Dave was closely followed by Robo and Teepee. A deathly conga if ever there was one! Robo was next up - tracers flew from his wings, and the 109 errupted in a ball of flame and smoke! "Nice, nice, nice" came Teepee's voice, who had a front row seat for the whole short-lived show.

I called over comms - a second 109 was dropping South, realising he was incredibly outnumbered up here. Robo followed him down, but it was decided to leave him. No sooner had we started to climb yet again, Freema called out yet another formation of bombers coming through at angels 17. My belts must be so very near to empty, and others were calling out their various issues...Mauf couldn't climb, his crate, tough though it was, had taken a bit of a bashing. Still, he continued to stay with us, determined to not let the side down. "I can't climb anymore - too much flak on the aircraft!". The daft sods below us had hit the wrong side!

Teepee was on the third wave first, and busied himself playing havoc with several enemy. "They've got my rads", he eventually declared. "Lucky shot from a rear gunner!". As he was talking, I'd reached the formation and began my own attack. I heard bullets whipping through the canvas behind me, and started to weave, trying to put the gunner off his aim. Looking around I could see a 109 on my nine o'clock, closing the distance between himself and a hurricane sat on the backside of a bomber. The hurricane broke off to the right, the 109 followed, cutting the corner. As he fired, the hurricane evaded by dropping - 109 stayed high. Looking closer, I could see he was venting. I followed, then tracers flew past my cockpit, bullets smacking the rear of my hurricane! I lurched to the right and down, I could see the offender on my three, passing beneath me. I continued my right hand turn, and corkscrewed into position behind him - too far back to risk a shot. He climbed slowly to the right - I checked my six, it felt like a drag and bag situation. I was clear, and continued to follow him, another hurricane joining me. I checked my right side, nothing, typically tracers flew past my left side! Luckily I'd been weaving, to enable a better six check, and had been weaving way from the line of fire! More hits on my fuselage, but the old bird continued to stay airbourne. What a machine! My sudden reaction to the latest attack caused me to put her in a spin, I recovered and attempted to catch up with the hurricane who had been with me - the 109 had him in his sights now! "Check your six, hurricane!" I called out. Pt Off. Sabre replied, as did Meaker, who was already with the bombers. Like mindless moths, we were all heading for the bright light that was the bomber formation.

I had so much damage to the canvas and control surfaces that I was finding it nigh on impossibe to catch the bombers up. Friendly fighters kept passing me, heading North, in the opposite direction, their munitions spent. I'd left the coast of the Isle of Wight behind a few miles ago, and spotted a lone 110 below me, a trailing escort for the bombers. I decided to empty my guns into him before heading home myself - I'd pushed my luck far this day! Lining up, I let a volley off - red tracers! That meant I was indeed low. Emptying the last of my ammo into him, causing no major damage, I turned and set course for Tangmere, counting myself lucky to be alive.




Claims
4 x Ju 88 Damaged
1 x Ju 88 Probable
1 x Bf 109 Destroyed (shared with Dave and Robo)
1 x Bf 110 Damaged

Aircraft: Safely landed, but so shot up it would struggle to contain a fart.
Pilot: Okay, but may have let a few farts off through seat of the pants excitement.

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


Image

Thaine
Posts: 5114
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2013 10:09 pm
Location: Tromsø, Norway

Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 25: 13th August (1. Portsmouth 143

Post by Thaine » Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:00 pm

Squadron: No. 64 Squadron
Squadron Code: SH
Pilot Name: Thaine
Type: Spitfire Ia 100 octane
Marking: J for Johnnie
Date: 13 Aug 1940 1430, Portsmouth
Base: Tangmere

Once again under the command of Luke, section leader of blue flight, together with Maltloaf. 64 was split up into two flights for the first time. For one to be more flexible and better organized, in addition to be able to better cover both 615 and 501. Blue section was flying as part of B flight under the command of Tyrone. We had order to cover 615, who were going out first. Takeoff and escort went without problems.
We soon spotted the bombers and their escorts over Southhampton at above angle 20. Blue in went into the attack. I could see section leader Luke hit on two 109s, the second one streaming white and black smoke going into a dive. In a second round, I could form up behind a 109 landing hits from appr. 150 feet. He was trailing thick white vapour and broke into a dive. I did not follow. This hun had seen it and with a bit of luck he might just made it back to france. But with both radiators bleeding out fast and after his dive to safety north of the Isle of Wight, I doubt it and therefore claim this one as probable. I got some more hits into another 109. I went into a perfect firing position in the lower six of another contact that was flying into the sun. Not being able to get 100 percent sure if it was a 109, I was holding fire to not blow a fellow Hurricane from the sky. It turned out to be the enemy but my chance had gone. Have to work on my recognition skills.
Another Staffel arived over us and the tide was turning. The 109's had always the advantage and there was always one around to jump you. I was able to avoid most of the attacks and got only some minor holes into the fuselage. I finally extended inland to gain altitude before turning back facing another wave of bombers. Both 109s and Hurricanes seemed to be engaded with those and I went into the fight again to take some pressure from the hard working Hurricanes. I followed a 109 south over the Isle of Wight but was jumped by another. After recovering from a defensive Break I saw both my wings had lost almost half of their surface area. Luckily the Boffins at Supermarine had build the Spitfire with a lot of wing surface to counteract such attacks. I limped home to Tangmere for a rough landing.
Upon approach it was difficult to hold here stable at low speeds and I went a bit to slow during final. I lost all lift appr. 3 metres from the ground and slammed into the ground. I smashed my head against the gunsight, for some seconds I wasn't able to breath from the searing pane in my spine. I will recover but my Spit might just be beyond repair. My riggers, who were not very happy, will for sure do their best.

Claims:
Confirmed: 0
Probable: 1xBF109
Damaged: 1xBF109

Losses:
AC: Damaged
Pilot: Broken nose, concussion, pain in the back.
Fractal Design Define R6 / Gigabyte Z390 AORUS MASTER / Intel i9-9900K / 32 GB RAM / NVIDIA GeForce GTX2080Ti / WD Black SN750 / Corsair Hydro H100i RGB Platinum / Corsair RM850x / WINDOWS 10 / LG 42LE5300 / TrackIR / HP Reverb G2 / Saitek AV8R-MK3 / Saitek ProFlight Throttle Quadrant / Saitek ProFlight Rudder Paddels / Saitek ProFlight Cessna Trim Wheel
Image

Locked