Adlerangriff. Mission 26: 13th August (2. Detling 1700)

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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 26

Post by Dickie » Mon Oct 06, 2014 3:42 pm

Squadron: No. 501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Pilot Name: Osprey
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia 100oct
Marking: TB-P
Date: 13th Aug 1940 16:15
Aerodrome: Kenley
Serial: V6620

Synopsis:
With the Squadron Leader of No.615 assumed to be in France on the run and his deputy in and out of hospital the chaps have been feeling sorry for themselves. "Sir moral is down and some of them are out of control", "Including you Baron old boy" I interjected as a held my pipe and leaned back "Sir?" he asked. "Don't think I haven't noticed what you chaps have been doing with your spinners. I've told stores to stop giving out non-regulation paint but you seem to still be getting hold of it". "Sir, I don't understand the problem sir" replied Baron, clearly un-nerved that his trip to my office wasn't going to plan. "Well my good man, when I look behind me and see a coloured spinner I immediately think it's Jerry, and I usually have 11 behind me. Frightens the life out of me you see", "Now be a good chap and break open the black paint and we'll hear no more about it. That will be all". PO Baron responded "Sir, about the...", "That will be all Pilot Officer, close the door on your way out would you". I couldn't be soft with a war on. Later I got on the telephone told Gravesend that Teepee was in command of No.501 as I would have to lead out No.615 today. He told me that he was disappointed with that but he didn't sound it and I distinctly heard a great cheer in the background. "They seem delighted with that Flying Officer", "Oh no, Bully just pulled a royal flush out of the pack", Teepee was a bit sharp like that.

A hot day and the Bosh had been at it on the south coast but received a damn good trousers down thrashing from our chaps that way, this time we were on 5 minutes readiness, this is the sort that nobody likes, in full gear in the Summer sun. I sent up B flight from No.64 Squadron for a patrol and a section from No.501 to patrol North Foreland. SOonafter Uxbridge was having us ring the bell as 2 large formations had started their menacing approach toward Blighty. "Come on come on" I said to Red section, meanwhile No.64 were hurtling down the runway into the blue. No.615 followed and I pointed us east with the evening sun in our backs. It was refreshing to cool down but as you get up it gets too cold! "Zero nine zero angels ten, twenty plus" said the ground controller, meanwhile Mandrel were in action at Manston. Then we saw the buggers "Drat! We're too late!" the rotters started a steep dive onto the aerodrome at Detling showering it with their deadly load. "Stuka's chaps, with 109's above. A flight come with me, B flight attack that escort. Tally Ho". Repeat cries filled the R/T as I chopped the throttle and went after the Stuka's in their steep dive, levelling out to line one up I smashed De Wilde into him and he started to bleed. The skies were rich with the gull-winged harbingers and I can't remember just how many I shot at, B flight had done a great job of removing the escort but at cost as we lost a couple of good chaps. I damaged at least 3 before lining up a straggler. He panicked and broke right "Perfect" I thought to myself as I opened a volley into his canopy from 100 yards. First thick black smoke, then a large fire before he made a final dive into a field north of Ashford. I huge fireball erupted from the site, "There farmer Giles, that's a bit of ploughing done for you" I chuckled to myself. I claim 1x Stuka as destroyed.
Most of the chaps had depleted their guns or were damaged so returned home or made emergency landings. I flew on climbing to angels 15 north ofHawkinge and there I met a lone 109. He had the advantage but the amazing Hurricane was specifically designed to tie Jerry in knots which I duly did, and after a slick move I was only 100 yards behind him. I was about to fire when he panicked and span him machine so I overshot and by the time I swung about to his tail again he was diving away. I fired a squirt to let him know I had won the day, no doubt rubbing some lead past his canopy in the process. With no further trade I landed safely back at base and went to the bar. Two hours later FO Nitrous and PO Vranac burst into the mess ranting about how the ground controller held them on the ground and they missed the action. "Why are you wet Nitrous?" I asked, "Because I was shot down into the sea. I just got back from the ASR boys". "Whiskeys please barman, the single malt, and doubles".

Claims
destroyed 1x stuka
probable none
damaged 4 x Stuka

Losses

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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 26

Post by Robo » Mon Oct 06, 2014 4:57 pm

Squadron: No. 501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron Code: SD
Pilot Name: Robo.
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia 100oct
Marking: U for Uncle
Date: 13 Aug 1940 16:15
Base: Gravesend
Serial: N3822

Synopsis:

Leading the Gold section (again), having to hear lots of silly remarks (again) regarding some Hurricane squadron flying over Gravesend while we were getting ready for the next sortie. 'Is that Robo. up there.?' (laughter) It's not fair at all, you behave all the time, the you once allegedly take of a bit earlier than everybody else to have a go at a wee Italian biplane, and everybody remembers you as a maverick. Sigh. I didn't even paint my spinner yet!

Taking off with Schmuck and Sabre at the very end of the squadron, we head straight up towards Manston with FO Bunny leading the Mandril squadron to the battle. Lots of activity heard over the R/T, blue flight is being engaged with some 109s over Deal, while we're only passing Rochester. Finally the enemy is spotted - large formation of Stukas just north of Maidstone, some 5000 feet below us. They're flying in a large Vic formation of at least 30 machines in total, with their landing gears dangling beneath them, they looked like weird insects. Although I have not seen any, I am sure there were snappers around there waiting in the sun to drop down on us at any point. Full power, line up with the formation, tally ho lads! One pass one kill, check your six, don't get too fixated on one target, keep on maneuvring. My Hurricane shaking on the verge of overspeeding the airframe, I aim for the right most Stuka, coming as close as I dare at this speed, I pull the trigger for 2 seconds and watch the glass canopy shatter to pieces. Glycol and oil streams from the Ju as I look below me as he flies inverted. Pulling up I check my six, I see my wings have been hit. The Stuka gunners don't mess about, there is 30 angry machine guns down there waiting for you to come close. I see another Stuka being hit hard by Schmuck, this one is not making it back - e/a is losing oil and water and is losing altitude rather quickly. I hear Sabre was also hit by defensive fire and is returning to nearest airbase. Gold claims two Stukas destroyed, one by LAC Schmuck, one by myself. At this point these pesky dive bombers were no longer our primary concern - the 109 swarmed us from somewhere and I watched not less than 5 Bf 110 heavy fighters joining the fight from the back. All seemed be interested in shooting poor Schmuck to pieces. I broke off the climb and dove behind the three 110s nearest to Shmucks tail and shot one off from middle range. After what was almost a 4 seconds burst, enemy aircraft broke off the attack and disengaged steraming from the starboard engine, port engine windmilling. I claim one 110 probably destroyed. I got much closer in a tight turn and opened fire at the next 110 on Schmucks back, he kept them occupied in steady nice turn, very good skill and calm flying by this American chap. I am having more and more respect for this colonials, the more I get to watch them fight. The enemy aircraft got full burst from point blank and went down in flames. I claim one Bf 110 destroyed N of Maidstone.

Trying to re-group, we fly towards Manston, where, apparently, Stukas attack the airfild right on the deck. After flying East for about 5 minutes, this information proved to be false and I turned back West again to meet up with Bully, who was watching a lone 109 over Rochdale area. I encountered a lone Hurricane, but no enemy. Then I turned back towards the general Dover direction and there I spotted them - the same Stuka formation, mighty V with a bit less Jus than before, but not quite enough missing. I reported their position to the rest of the flight, but immediately, I also spotted 5 Bf 109s cruising slightly above me. I found it rather wise not to attack them just yet. I disengaged behind the Stukas, but I lost them against the ground as I was taking evasive action versus the 109 that decided to drop a bit lower, possibly to check me out. I climbed back towards the coast, trying to locate the others. In the process, I made a causal head-on pass with an aircraft that turned out to be another 109. The enemy pilot seemed to be surprised to see a Hurricane over England and started to climb. After a few maneuvres, I was 200 yards behind him and shot him quite badly in his tail before he managed to disengage in a dive towards France. I claim one 109 damaged over Dover / Deal area. We withessed another 109, badly streaming, leaving the same area. Poor bugger.

After that event, the Wing/Co called it a day and we returned to base. Landing was not exactly straightforward as due to the battle damage from the Stukas, I had to use emergency gear release. Luckily, I had Schmuck with me who confirmed my gears were down before I touched down. I owe him a drink, clearly. Actually I owe everybody a drink as this bloody war is dragging way too long.

Claims:
Destroyed: 1x Bf 110, 1x Ju 87
Probable: 1x Bf 110
Damaged: 1x Bf 109

Losses:
AC: hydraulic failure due to German bullet in my rear pipe
Pilot: OK

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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 26: 13th August (2. Detling 1700)

Post by Donkey » Mon Oct 06, 2014 5:04 pm

Squadron: No. 615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: Donkey
Date: 13 August 1940
Time: 1430hrs
Base: Kenley
Type: Hurricane 1A 100 Oct
Marking: P

Synopsis
Due to launched as Blue 3 with Biggles and Kev, my engine was started and I was beginning to rumble along the peri-track when one of the groundies came running up to my crate. "There's been a family emergency and you are going to have to delay take off - the boss says it's ok." Confused at this unexpected piece of news I killed the engine, jumped out and hitched a lift back to find out what was going on. Luckily the emergency turned out to be something rather run-of-the-mill so I raced back to my hurricane, hopped in and started her up just as Biggles roared off down the runway and into the sky. Dammit, playing catch-up again. Followed the flight out, but even with my throttle and revs pushed fully forward I just couldn't seem to fly quickly enough. Just as blue flight was beginning to be more than just a few faint dots on the horizon I hear over the radio that they are engaging 109s. I see the furball develop below me and come hammering in, seeing one plane going vertical and leaving the others. Not happy to have what may be a 109 above me I stay high and close towards the unidentified aircraft before I see it's actually a hurricane (blue leader, as it happens). There are calls on the radio of JU-87s and 109s, but from where we are I can't see anything. Then someone says there are targets over Dover. Kev turns south and I follow him. Sure enough, within a few minutes we can see the JU87s. Kev goes in first and gets one (rightmost) streaming before breaking right and circling around again. I go in after him and target the second from the left. I get good hits and he also starts to stream (Kev confirms this). But, sadly, I also get a number of rounds on me - coming up behind 5 JU-87s is never going to be easy, they seem to have pretty good gunners. I bank out to the right and Kev is on the radio telling me I am smoking badly. He's not wrong, my engine only lasts another minute. Bugger. Time to put her down. Luckily, there is a lovely field just in front of the nose, so I drop the old bird into that and come to a halt. All over for the day, but I'm alive, and one of those Hun bastards has a long flight home with a lot of holes in him...

Claims
Destroyed - 0
Probable - 0
Damaged - 1

Losses
Pilot: Alive and well
A/C: Needs a bit of love but she'll fly again.
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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 26: 13th August (2. Detling 1700)

Post by Greezy » Mon Oct 06, 2014 7:05 pm

Squadron: No.64 squadron
Squadron code: SH
Pilot name: Greezy
Date: 13 Aug 1940
Time : Early morning
Aerodrome: Kenley
Type: Spitfire Mk Ia 100 oct
Marking: B for Beer
Serial: k9895
Synopsis: Took off in formation in the three position off Nitrous. We sailed around for quite some time with no visual contacts whatsoever, chasing old reports up and down the coast. Then, finally, we spotted the large formation of JU-87s low and slow, feet wet, bound for home. Nitrous went full bore into them and last I heard he had received hits and was damaged. Did my best to keep up and briefly tangled with two 109s, however there must have been more as I was quickly jumped and my plane's controls rendered useless. Gained altitude and jumped. Hats off to the Hun.

Destroyed: 0
Probable: 0
Damaged: 0
Pilot: wet, but OK
A/C:

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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 26: 13th August (2. Detling 1700)

Post by Vukac » Mon Oct 06, 2014 8:40 pm

Squadron: No.64 squadron
Squadron code: SH
Pilot name: Vukac
Date: 13 Aug 1940
Time : 1620
Aerodrome: Kenley
Type: Spitfire Mk Ia 100 oct
Marking: C-Charlie
Call:Wihte 3
Serial: N3231


Claims:
Destroyed:0
Damaged: 1
Probable: 1

Losses:
AC: OK
Pilot: OK
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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 26: 13th August (2. Detling 1700)

Post by Meaker » Tue Oct 07, 2014 8:13 am

Squadron: No. 501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron Code: SD
Pilot Name: P/O ‘Meaks’ Meaker
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia (100oct)
Marking: G for George
Date: 13 Aug 1940 16:15
Base: Gravesend
Serial: P2793

COMBAT FLIGHT RECORD

Took off from RAF Gravesend for a patrol over the South coast as Blue Section,with F/O Teepee Leading ,myself as Blue 2 and Sergeant Mauf as Blue 3.We were sent up alone to test the water,but not long after getting to the coast we were bounced by incoming 109’s............the water was hot!!

I radioed to Blue Leader and to Blue section to take evasive action,but as I dived away to Port,I realised my controls were useless,I had no rudder,and my elevator was shot up too,therefore rendering my kite inoperable.Once again I radioed to inform Blue section that I was bailing out,but as I did this,the remainder of Blue section were being hit by the 109’s,and just before leaving my aircraft I heard our brave Blue Leader calling out he’d been hit ,had damage and was also bailing from his stricken aircraft.

After,picking myself up from landing in some farmer’s duck pond,I had to wait for an eternity it seemed to get a lift back to RAF Gravesend.There would be no burning of any piano’s tonight I thought,as a chorus of ducks laughed out loud at my pitiful situation.

What a day,only several pints of ‘Badger’s Bollocks' later on in the evening with Blue Leader and the rest of 501 Squadron,seemed to end this misery.

Claims
destroyed : none
probable: none
damaged :none

Losses
Pilot: Ok ,but mightily pissed off!
A/C: Lost to German lead

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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 26: 13th August (2. Detling 1700)

Post by Teepee » Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:49 pm

Squadron: No.501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron code: "SD"
Pilot name: Flying Officer Teepee
Date: 13 Aug 1940 16:15
Base: RAF Gravesend
Type: Trusty Hawker Hurricane Mk 1A
Marking: "M for Marvel"
Serial number: N2617

Synopsis:

Today the Boss was heading across the country to lead 615 Sqn for the next mission. He asked me to lead the fearless heroes of 501 Squadron, again, and I didn’t need to be asked twice. These chaps were just typical Hurricane pilots. Salts of the earth who were keen to give Jerry a bloody nose and a damn good thrashing whatever the odds may be stacked against them. 615 Sqn had taken a bit of a mauling recently and their numbers were down, hence the Boss wanted to pay them a morale boosting visit!

We were told by the wizards in Ops to expect some large raids coming in from the South. We strapped into our fantastic machines and waited for the onslaught to begin. I was to lead Blue Section with my now customary Blue 2 in the shape of the heroic PO Meaker, and in Blue 3 was the fearless Sgt Mauf. The Squadron had been at cockpit readiness for what seemed an eternity before I was ordered to take Blue Section on a reconnaissance flight along the Northern coast of Kent. I asked the redoubtable FO Bunny to lead the remainder of the Sqn and he jumped at the task with a hearty ‘No problem’. The chaps would be in safe hands as FO Bunny had saved my bacon in a few scrapes with the Hun and I knew he would lead them to glory in typical 501 Hurricane Sqn fashion.

Blue Section climbed hard as we headed down the coast towards Manston in our truly amazing machines. Our Hurricanes were leaping gazelle like into the blue sky and we three kept our eyes peeled for any sight of the harbingers of doom. We were receiving plots from Ops and I passed the details back to FO Bunny to allow him to perform his intercept. Soon we spotted some black crossed crates to the South of Deal. We were about to launch our attack and despatch the Hun to an early and wet grave when the steely eyed Sgt Mauf spotted a schwarm of pesky 109s heading our way. The Boffins at Hawkers had prepared our marvel machines with the devastating 8 gun volley but with the odds firmly stacked against us it was thought prudent to disengage from the Hun until we could even up the numbers. We turned our steeds away and dived for what we thought would be relative safety. But the pesky 109s had seen our intentions ant attacked without mercy. I heard the brave PO Meaker radio that his wonder machine had been mortally wounded and he was jumping to safety. Not long after Meakers last call my steed was peppered with tutonic lead and unfortunately was not capable of gracing the skies for much longer. I radioed my situation to the others and bade Sgt Mauf good luck before vacating the warm cockpit of my incredible machine.

As I drifted down under my silk canopy I watched the ensuing air battles with pride as the chaps could be seen giving their all against the Hun and a number of the death dealing machines plummeted toward the ground. I landed on the coast near Eastchurch and gathering my chute under my arm I waved down a friendly passer by who then took me back to Gravesend. I bade my rescuer farewell and made my way to the Sqn Adjutant for a debriefing. He told me that PO Meaker had also made it back, so I went down to the Mess to find him and share a few Badgers. I made it to the mess to be told that there were no more pianos on the station. This was a bit of a let down so we drowned our sorrows with some more Badgers. The celebrations ensued and the usual revelry carried on long into the night.

It was while I was at the bar that I met a nice young filly, who turned out to be an assistant at the local florists. She said that she had been invited onto the Station to trim the flowers and shrubs outside Station Headquarters. She was quite excited when she told me that she had been able to cultivate some wild seeds in the flower beds and did I want to have a look at her Lupins. I agreed, naturally, and told her that I also had some wild seeds that I wouldn’t mind sowing in her beds. She said that would be nice so I suggested we stopped off behind the Station greenhouse where we could open the bottles of wine. I don’t remember anything else after that.

Claims:
Destroyed: None
Probable: None
Damaged: None

Losses:
Pilot: OK
A/C: Battle damaged beyond economic repair

Tea, Cakes and Medals due for helping to plant new seeds.
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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 26: 13th August (2. Detling 1700)

Post by Wiggs » Tue Oct 07, 2014 8:07 pm

Squadron: No. 64
Squadron Code: SH
Pilot Name: Wiggs
Date:13th August 1940 1600hrs.
Base: Kenley
Type: Spitfire Mk 1a (100 Oct)
Marking:U
Serial number: L1040
Synopsis:
A long wait and then trouble getting off the ground...control issues. Finally got into the air and checked on the R/T to find that Vranac - (SH-V White1) and Vukac (SH-C White3) were somewhere over Folkestone. My best efforts to find them resulted in getting lost over unfamiliar territory - I had flown too far west. Thoroughly upset, I worked my way back towards the action and by the time I had recognised the Isle of Wight, our boys had begun to land. The mission was over and I had not fired a shot.
Landed uneventfully at Hawkinge and vowed to do more familiarization work with the Course Setter while exploring more terrain from the air.

Claims
Destroyed: 0
Probable: 0
Damaged: 0

Losses
Pilot: Disgusted
A/C: OK

Osprey: Isle of Wight? The mission was over Kent. Have you posted in the right place?
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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 26: 13th August (2. Detling 1700)

Post by Dange » Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:16 pm

Date: Aug. 13, 1940
Time:16:00 hrs.
Squadron Code: SH
Pilot Name: Dange
Base: Kenley
Type: Spitfire Ia (100)
Marking: M for Mother
Serial number: N 3122


Flight report:

Gold flight ( Tyrone lead, Fenris #2 and self #3 ) along with the rest of 64 and 615 sat for an extraordinarily long time waiting for orders to fire up the engines. Ground control \RT seem to be having some trouble with their equipment . Orders finally came through so we formed up in our flights and took off. Well ... it was like a tour of the southeast coast of England ! First here ( Eastchurch ) , then there (Deal ) , and then Dover . Spotted bombers low, just off the coast near Hells corner heading toward France. Bounced by 109's . Scored hits on one 109 and then was set upon by two others. Fended them off as well as I could, but on their second pass at me they scored some hits. I was hightailing it back to home , but they continued to pursue me and scored more hits and wounded me . Engine running badly , wounded , I quickly realized that if I didn't bail out, I was dead. Yanked open the canopy , and rolled out.
Late in the afternoon now, and sitting in my raft I figured that I was in for a long night, but due to the level of activity in the air , there where a number of RC's in the area and much to my delight I saw one heading my way.


Claims:
Destroyed: 0
Probable: 0
Damaged: 1 x 109

Losses:
Pilot: slight wound in leg
A/C: in channel
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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 26: 13th August (2. Detling 1700)

Post by Fang » Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:40 pm

Squadron: No. 501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron Code: SD
Pilot Name: Sgt Fang
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia (100oct)
Marking: F for Freddie
Date: 13 Aug 1940 16:15
Base: Gravesend
Serial: L1953

COMBAT FLIGHT RECORD

Took the lead of Red flight, Late scrambling due to problems and from there struggled to catch the remaining 501 flights. Eventually spotted the bomber formation but with bad comms and other problems we were seperated and then I was bounced by a 109 which took out all of my control surfaces. Forced to land in the sea.

Claims
destroyed : none
probable: none
damaged :none

Losses
Pilot: Ok , Rescues by launch
A/C: Lost at sea

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