Adlerangriff. Mission 29: 15th August (Rochester 1500)

[Mauf]

Squadron: No. 501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron Code: SD
Pilot Name: Mauf
Date: 15 Aug 1940 15:00
Base: Gravesend
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia 100 Oct
Marking: D for Don
Serial: LI898


Synopsis:
Take off from Gravesend as Red 2 with Osprey as Red Leader and Dave as Red 3. Followed Red Leader east to altitude of Angels 21 on intercept course for german bomber formation south of Eastchurch. Engaged bombers but a tailgunner shot my engine on first pass. With oil darkening my windscreen, I turned north towards Eastchurch in the hope of gliding it home. The engine quit its job just over Faversham and I decided to land it in a field to the north. Messed up some farmers plow work by plowing a trench of my own with the gear of my Hurricane and the trusty old warhorse finally came to a stop on its belly.


Claims:

Destroyed: none
Probable: none
Damaged: none

Losses:
Pilot: OK
A/C: Banged up in a field north of Faversham scaring the crows.

[Spud]

Squadron: No. 615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: Spud
Date: 08/15/1940
Time: 1500 hrs.
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane
Marking: R
Serial number: N2335


Synopsis:

Here I sit again in Kenley; still amongst the living. I was just starting to relax when F/L Random bumped into me on my way to the mess. "Hey, Spud. Did you get in touch with the Wingco? He's looking for you". Great, I thought. I'm sure he's going to chew me up one side and down the other for something I did wrong on the last mission. "Nope, Haven't seen him", I said. "I guess I better start looking for him". And with that, I was off to the commo shack to ring up the Wingco who was at Gravesend.

Normally a beehive of activity, the commo shack was pretty quiet when I walked in. Cpl. Parker and Sgt. Watkins were both sitting at their posts. Parker was reading a book while Watkins propped his feet up and enjoyed a cup of tea. "Hey Spud. Stay right there. I had a message to ring up the Wingco if you showed up". And with that Watkins picked up a telephone receiver and got to work on the switchboard. A few seconds later he's obviously through to the commo operator at Gravesend. "Hey mate. What's this I hear you had a couple of blokes smashing cars into Hurricanes over there?........... Yeah, yeah. Did you get the case of Badgers Bollocks that I had sent over? Great. I'm still waiting on that paint from you. All the pilots over here are quite miffed about having their spinners painted over black. Mad pilots are bad for business, mate. You need to put a rush on that shipment"..... Another long pause as he listened. "Great", he continued. "And if you deliver the paint personally, I'll introduce you to a sweet little number named Yvette. You won't be disappointed. Now could you put me through to the old man? Great". Watkins was our resident scrounger and black market trafficker. If you needed it, he could find it. But you paid a premium price for it. He turned in his chair, handed me the receiver and went back to his tea.

There was a lot of static and hissing in the background and I could barely hear Osprey. "Spud??? SPUD"?? he yelled. "Bloody hell. How do they expect us to win a war when we can barely talk on the phone? Somebody come fix this"! A couple seconds later, the connection was crystal clear. "Ah. Much better. Can you hear me now, Spud? I need you to lead 615 again today. Since you're still short of pilots, I'll be sending Bonkin and Schmuck down to lend a hand. I will have a word with the OTU. There is no reason why you should be this short handed. Good luck, Spud. Give those Jerry Bastards a damn good thrashing today". And with that, the line went dead. I handed the receiver to Watkins and headed out to the flight line.

After I finished my pre-flight, I grabbed my kit and headed to dispersal. With only 10 pilots available, I made 2 flights of 3 planes (Red and Blue) and 2 flights of 2 planes (Yellow and Green). When we were put at readiness, we headed off to our planes. Once again our crates were scattered all about the field. But we were getting quite used to this. As 64 squadron started to taxi to the active, we started our engines. Rather than wait for taxi orders, I had the guys go straight away. We lined up on the taxiway in flight order and waited for 64 to go. Once they were rolling, we got onto the runway and formed up for departure. I called over the R/T that we were ready to go and we were given the order to scramble.

The sound of 10 merlins drowned out the rest of the world as we hurtled down the runway at break-neck speed. At 100 mph Miss Diane lifted off. Gear, up. Flaps, up. Boost, 5 lbs. Props, 2750 rpm. With the rest of 615 forming up behind me I started a gentle left turn to the east and trimmed my crate to climb at 170 mph. Radar plots put 30+ enemy bombers headed towards Rochester from the coast off Dover. We turned to intercept and continued our climb to Angels 16.

Just minutes after leveling off, W/O Siddich spotted the enemy bombers at our 11 o'clock near Canterbury. I called out our position over the R/T and prepared for battle. Full boost. Props, max. Gunsite, on. I had Red and Blue flights attack the bombers as Yellow and Green held top cover. And with that I rolled Miss Diane to the left and dropped on the bombers.

Screaming down at full speed I could see there was a full scale battle going on. Hurricanes were making slashing attacks and Do-17's were going down in flames. 109's were circling overhead waiting to pounce. I lined up on a Dornier that quickly filled my sights. The angle wasn't perfect, but I let loose with the guns anyways. DeWilde and AP danced across the wings and fuselage venting fuel and glycol. I threw the stick forward just in time and dove under the hun bastard. Climbing up and to the left I looked back to clear my six just in time to see a Hurricane finish off the bomber. Fire and smoke belched from the left engine as the bomber rolled left and dove to its fiery death. I claim this as a shared destroyed with (Siddich???).

Circling back around I set up for my second pass. I cleared Yellow and Green flight in to take on the bombers as I dove in for some more. Attacking the right side of the formation, I put another Do-17 in my sights and squeezed the trigger. Leaving the left engine venting, I dove underneath again. Pops and bangs rattled off the airframe as a lucky gunner got some hits in. Nothing broken. Nothing serious. Just as I pulled up and right I heard a bang and my crate snapped to the left. A quick look out the side confirmed my worst fear. The port wing was missing. I also caught passing glimpses of another aircraft going down in pieces. But with the spin I couldn't identify it.

With full right rudder and aileron along with some serious forward pressure on the stick I was able to turn the spin into a slow roll. I chopped the power, called out my predicament in the R/T and told Hollywood to take over. Then I flipped off the switches, jettisoned the hatch and went out over the side. After a hearty tug on the ripcord my fall was halted with enough force stretch all three of my legs about a foot. "Damn, That's going to hurt later". As I rolled up the ripcord and shoved it in my jacket for a souvenir, I watched Miss Diane impact the ground. Drifting along in the afternoon breeze, I landed about a half mile from her. With the battle still raging overhead I pulled off my chute and lit a smoke. I wanted to watch for a while, but as long as I'm on the ground I might as well have a drink. Just then, a Home Guard truck pulled up along the edge of the field and honked its horn.

"Where to, mate"? yelled the driver. "The nearest pub"! I yelled back. I tossed my chute into the back of the truck and hopped in. Happy to still be alive.

Claims:
Destroyed: 1x Do-17 (Shared w/ Siddich??)
Probable:
Damaged: 1x Do-17

Losses
Pilot: OK
A/C: A smoking hole

[Luke]

Squadron: No. 64 Squadron
Squadron Code: SH
Pilot Name: Luke
Type: Spitfire Ia 100 octane
Marking: R for Romeo
Date: 15 Aug 1940
Base: Kenley



Claims:
Confirmed: 1x BF109
Probable: 0
Damaged: 0

Losses:
AC: ok
Pilot: ok

[Baron le Scrope]

Squadron code: "KW"
Pilot name:Baron.
Date: 15th August 1940.
Squadron: No.615.
Base:Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 100oct.Rotol.
Marking:B for beer.
Serial number: P3231

Took off from Kenley as Blue2, Random Blue leader and Midge as Blue3. Followed Red flight,Spud leading 615, with Bonkin leading Yellow flight bringing up the rear, Schmuck leading Green as top cover.

Engaged multiple H.111's south of Faversham, following Random in on the right of the formation i saw our leader damage the outer A/C so i took the second one, Random witnessed the kill and i claim this as destroyed. We both re-engaged and damaged three more and broke off the engagement as i was out of ammo as was Randon.

Midge formed up with us and we all returned to Kenley, Midge having a small fuel leak. We watched our C/O Spud make a 615 perfect
touchdown,as usual.

Claims:
Destroyed:1-D.17
Probable:2-D.17's
Damaged:1-D.17

Losses
Pilot:OK
A/C: OK.

[Siddich]

Squadron: No.615 "County of Surrey" Squadron
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: Siddich
Call sign: Yellow 2
Date: 15th August 1940
Time: 1500
Base: Kenley
Type: Hurricane I Rotol
Marking: H - Harry
Serial Number: L2025

Synopsis:

Took of as Red 3
Sighted 4 enemy bomber groups, damage 2, rammed 1 probable kill. had to bail. chute didn't open...

End Report



Claims:

Destroyed: Nil
Probable: 1x Do 17
Damaged: 2x Do 17


Pilot: dead
AC: lost

End Report

[Schmuck]

Squadron: No. 501 "County of Gloucester" Squadron
Squadron Code: SD
Pilot Name: Schmuck
Date: 15 Aug 1940 15:00
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia 100oct
Marking: L for London
Serial: V6646

Synopsis:
I woke up and stretched my arms out, looking over to this beautiful broad. It was unknown to me how much I had actually drank but all I know was I must have made a good choice. She rolls over and I ask her "say, what time is it?" She looks at the clock and says "its a half past 2, why?" With a look of amazement I jump out of bed and start quickly putting on clothes. She looks over at me and says "now where do you think you're going!" I stop what I'm doing and stand up tall and say "Ma'am I have a war to fight" Having my pants on, 2 socks and 1 shoe I hop onto my bicycle and head for Gravesend.

Upon arrival I'm greeted by none other than W/CO Osprey. With his vest still on and parachute on his back he makes no hesitation to question me "Where the bloody hell do you think you're going! Don't you know we have a war going on, you should know better than to be mingling around with the locals, damn yanks" I stand up straight and with a nervousness in my voice I reply "Yes sir, Of course sir, Will never happen again sir" He takes one look at me, belt hanging down, shirt unbuttoned, cap on a skew and says "What a mess you are, showing up to my airfield looking like you just got out of bed." I look down at the ground and twiddle my thumbs awaiting the punishment that I know will inevitably come. Osprey points at me and says wait here before he stumbles off to his office. He arrives no more than 10 minutes later looking no happier than he did prior "Schmuck those 615 Boys took a beating earlier today and as much as I want to ground you, we have a war going on. You'll be flying with them and if I hear one bad thing your sorry ass will be cleaning all the rocks off our runway. Do I make myself clear LAC?" I smile and look up "Yes sir, I wont let you down, Thank you so much!" I run into the barracks and quickly grab all my gear before getting into a car to Kenley.

Arriving at Kenley Around 2:50 I'm pulled by CPL Spud who says "Are you the one from 501" I reply, "That I am, may I speak to the Officer in charge?" He laughs and says, "You're talking to him kid, we had your crate flown in once Osprey lets us know you we're coming, You'll be leading Green flight, don't let me down" I run around looking for who was in my flight, asking each person who they were with, until I came across SAC Donkey. "Um, excuse me, what flight are you in?" I say with an exhausted yet confused face, "I believe I'm with you old boy" He replies. "Excellent excellent, Green will be forming at the back so no worries, just keep an eye on your six and we'll be fine" I say. The two of us hop into our Crate and form the pair at the back of the formation. Spud gives the order to take off, our Roaring Merlin's push our trusty Hurricanes off the runway and into the Sky.

Climbing to about Angles 14 we spot trade off our 11 low, three big groups, CPL Spud says over the R/T "Blue and Red flight lets drop down and get the trade, Yellow and Green you remain up here for cover, Tally Ho!" Keeping a close watch over my shoulder I see SAC Donkey off my right wing keeping a rather tight formation. I look up and call over the R/T "109's high, at least two of them. Watch your six there Donkey, we're going to try and get to a position to flank them as they dive onto Red flight". Following me in, Donkey keeps it close on my six as we come around onto this pair of 109's lining up my sights I give out a quick squirt before I hear a yelp over the R/T. "Son of a bitch! that bastard rammed into me. I need to bail my crate is done for, I'll see you at Kenley old boy" I orbit his downed crate until I see that beautiful white chute pop open, I let out a big sigh of relief and head in to get the trade.

Calling in on the R/T I only hear back from a few characters of 615, but it was enough to keep the fight going. Keeping close watch on my six I go in for a flight of Do-17's, letting out a good burst from my guns I catch one aflame and the other's rudder and elevators are taken off and it dives for England, I claim 2 destroyed. Coming around for another pass I line up my sights on a third Do-17, hitting his port engine and tail I only get him streaming and leaking oil before I break off, I claim him probable. It wasn't long until I came to realize I was the only Hurricane from 615 still out here, either they we're shot down, headed home to refuel rearm or landed near by with a damaged crate. The only chatter I heard was that from the group landing at Kenley, I made a few attempts to down a 109 in an attempt to avenge Donkey, but no such luck, I leave the fight to the 64 boys.

Looking over my six every now and then I make my way back to Kenley, guns empty and on my Auxiliary tanks. I line up for Final and touch down moments later. How ever when I pulled into my hanger I had only seen 3 other aircraft at Kenley, the only thing I could think was, I hope they make it out alright. I shut my crate down and sat in the mess waiting for a call from W/CO Osprey.

Claims:
Destroyed: 2x Do-17
Probable: 1x Do-17
Damaged: 1x Bf 109

Losses:
A/C: Safe and sound at Kenley
Pilot: Safe and sound in a pub near Kenley

[Dange]

Date: Aug. 15, 1940
Time:15:00 hrs.
Squadron Code: SH
Pilot Name: Dange
Base: Kenley
Type: Spitfire Ia (100)
Marking: M for Mother
Serial number: N 3122

Flight Report :

Lifted off from Kenley with Gold Flt. ( Ty #1\Fen #3 ) in the lead of B section. Climbed to 19K south of Eastchurch. Got separated from flight but stayed high watching for 109 escorts. Re-acquired visual with B flight over Manston and joined them on the return to Kenley. Landed and proceeded to the debriefing room.

Claims:
Destroyed: 0
Probable: 0
Damaged: 0

Losses:
A/C: ok
Pilot: ok

[Binkitone]

Form 540
Squadron 64
Date: 15th August 1940
Aerodrome: Kenley
Base: Kenley
Aeroplane: Spitfire 1a (100oct) / SH-W Serial number: K9964

Synopsis;
Time: 1507hours. Strapped in my cockpit as Red Two, Section Two of Flight 'A', smartly arranged with Flight 'B' as thirteen eager Spitfires, impatiently awaiting orders to take on the Hun again.

Time: 1523hours. Finally the call came to start up our engines, ground crew giving the thumbs up as I rev up the Merlin.

Time: 1525hours. Chocks away, move out to taxi behind Red One Sqn Ldr Gromic, quickly forming up on the runway with Green Section in front led by Fg Off Looky.

All of the squadron was soon in air, heading initially northeast, then we were directed towards our quarrel over Faversham, south of the Isle of Sheppey. At eighteen thousand feet, a large group, identified as enemy bombers were found heading west at near our altitude at our nine o'clock , there were already 'snappers' above and behind engaging our lads who were busy attacking the bombers.

Following Red One we turned to join the melee, I chose a suspected climbing 109 which as soon as I was on its tail it peeled over to dive vertically vanishing beneath me. Not tempted to follow, as I had noticed a contact was now on my six, I abruptly broke off into a sharp turn to climb progressively losing the assailant, on reaching above angles twenty I levelled out to find myself to be alone in the sky.
After searching around Eastchurch and Herne Bay between Fifteen and Eighteen feet I was unable to find any further hostile aircraft.
I finally made contact with the rest of our squadron over Manston. The view was that Jerry has departed our shores and as our fuel was now running low, it was time to RTB.
With almost the full squadron together we all headed back to land intact at Kenley.

Claims
Destroyed:0
Probable: 0
Damaged:0
Pilot status: OK.
A/C : OK.

[Deeside]

Date: Aug. 15, 1940
Time:15:00 hrs.
Squadron Code: SH
Pilot Name: Deeside
Base: Kenley
Type: Spitfire Ia (100)
Marking: K

Flight Report :

I must see the MO about these blackouts. I was lining up to blast the rightmost of two Do 17s out of the sky over Faversham. Suddenly, time seemed to stand still. When I came around again, I'd overshot my target. Almost as though my vision is warping. Undeterred I spotted another group of four Dorniers and left one with black smoke pouring from the engine. It fell out of formation and plummeted earthwards.

On returning to Kenley, I had problems with the undercarriage so I parked the Spitty upside down to facilitate inspection. Hope this is OK.

Claims:
Destroyed: 0
Probable: 1 x Do 17
Damaged: 0

Losses:
A/C: Almost ok
Pilot: ok

[Redeye]

Form 540
Squadron 64
Date: 15th August 1940
Pilot: Redeye
Aerodrome: Kenley
Base: Kenley
Aeroplane: Spitfire 1a (100oct) SH-P

Synopsis;
64 A-flight took off to intercept made contact with a large 30+ group of bombers escorted by 109's and 110's. A-flight came under attack by 109's and engaged. Combat scattered all over Kent and 64 was engaged in numerous skirsmishes along the Eastchurch-Manston line.
Stayed with Vranac and covered his rear. Dived on a 109 passing east over Manston at angels 2-3. Put some nice holes in him after several burst from about 200 yards. Coolant spraying all over. Another 109 joined in and Vranac put some holes in him too for good measure.

Several 64 pilots joined in and together we gave the bystanders at Ramsgate a good show for morale. One of the Krauts later bought it and bailed over the water near the coast. War's over for that one.

Reformed with both flights and landed at Kenley.

(Vucac took battle damage and had to bail. He telephoned back to Kenley that he was alright.)



Claims
Destroyed:0
Probable: 0
Damaged:1
Pilot status: OK.
A/C : OK.