Adlerangriff. Mission 32: 18th August

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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 32: 18th August

Post by Donkey » Tue Nov 18, 2014 4:06 pm

Squadron: No.615 Squadron
Squadron Code: KW
Pilot Name: Donkey
Date: 18th August 1940
Time: 12.30hrs
Base: Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane
Marking: P

Took off as Red 3 with Spud and Shark, and climbed up to contrail height. The old bus was going a bit better than last time and I managed to keep up with Red 1.
Red flight's first sight of the enemy was some head-on 109s, who seemed surprised to find us at Angels 24 as they went past us without firing a shot. Freema had joined us at this point so Red 1 told us to disengage and search for the bombers. P/O Baron was the first to spot them (JU-88s) at 1 o'clock low. There was bloody loads of them.
Red 1 turned to engage them from behind, but I lost him in the turn - not a problem, I was on RT, could see the bombers and could hear when he cleared us to engage. I caught site of Red 1 again, and managed to hit the bombers about five seconds after him. Managed three passes, getting good hits on two of the buggers- one of which started to trail smoke.
After my third pass I suddenly lost all aileron control. A quick look out of the cockpit showed me my left wing had been torn off. I'd been taking hits from the bombers, and I know there were some 109s in the mix at that point, so I don't know what got me. But whatever it was, I was out of the fight. So I jumped. Canopy opened up after what seemed like an eternity, and I was on my way gently back to terra firma.


Claims:

Destroyed: 0
Probable: 1 Ju-88
Damaged: 1 Ju-88
Aircraft: Written off
Pilot: OK
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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 32: 18th August

Post by Teepee » Tue Nov 18, 2014 9:45 pm

Squadron: No.111 (Fighter) Squadron
Squadron code: "JU"
Pilot name: Sqn Ldr Teepee
Date: 18th August 1940
Time: 12.30hrs
Base: Croydon
Type: Trusty Hawker Hurricane Mk 1A
Marking: "M for Marvel"
Serial number: P3671

Synopsis:

No. 111 (Fighter) Squadron was continuing to show Jerry that we were no push over and that we could give the Hun a Damn good thrashing, with gloves on and the buckled end of the belt – in short, we were up for it! The AoC had been informed of our progress, by the Boss, and he sent one of his telegrams telling us that the 11 Group Brass were impressed too.

The tireless Sgts Mauf and Sokka had been given leave to visit their families and that meant that today there would be 6 of us to take it to the Hun. We were at our home base of Croydon, and the station was lining the rails straining to see us launch again against the black crossed hordes. Today we would fly as a Section of 6. I had briefed the chaps to expect some more nuisance raids, against our airfields, and as we strapped into our incredible fighting machines we looked across at each other knowing that today would be a big push. LAC Schmuck has returned from leave and he was itching to get at the Hun having missed the last party. The redoubtable PO Sabre was excited as ever and the fearless heroes Sgt’s Ninja, Ratty and ‘Quiet’ Larry were quietly contemplating yet another day in the Office.

The Boss ordered us to start engines and the roaring sound of the mighty Merlin rattled the windows across the airfield as our awesome steeds were warmed up. After what seemed an eternal wait we received the scramble call. As we launched like angry beasts across the airfield the radio told us of low level raiders heading towards Kenley. We could see the station personnel waving us away and as we headed South I called over the radio to climb to 4,000ft, and keep an eye out for the low level attackers from the Dark side. The steely eyed killer, Ratty, spotted our prey 3 miles South of Kenley at around 1500ft. They were a Squadron of Do17s, heading towards Kenley but they were unaware of the impending doom heading their way in the fearsome shape of No.111 (Fighter) Squadron in their deadly Hurricanes.

I ordered an attack from behind and above the right side of the Hapless Hun. ‘Tally Ho’ I shouted and set my throttles to harness the incredible Merlin power while I lined up on my first pathetic victim. Once I had passed there would be 5 more desperados eager to deal the DeWilde welcome to the Hun. I fired at the left engine of the rearmost Do17 and saw an eruption of smoke and fire spew from the wing. ‘It’s a burner’ I shouted to my heroic colleagues. The doomed Do17 flipped onto its back and descended into the Surrey countryside emitting a large explosion (I claim 1 xDo17). ‘I’m out’ I called and the remaining hurricanes made their mark on the doomed raiders. I saw another aircraft drop out the sky as Schmuck sowed his deadly seeds into another vermin. I pulled high over the formation and could see the incredible sight of Hurricanes despatching the Hun like there was no tomorrow.

As I dived back into the fray I saw another Hun spiralling downwards after Sabre had dealt some destruction. I lined up against a second Hun machine and fired into the engine. This hapless crate also descended in a flurry of flames and opening chutes. (I claim 1 x Do17). Again I pulled away and saw one unbelievable Hurricane after another despatch a Do17. I came back into the fray for a third time and fired – there were only two enemy machines left and I was ready to let Fritz have some more fun. My Brownings decimated the left wing again and the Hun went the same way as the rest of his chums (I claim 1 x Do17). I never saw who downed the last remaining Do17 but there was a loud cheer when it hit the ground in an orgy of obliteration. We had done Hermanns Boys a deadly deal. The entire Squadron of enemy Bombers had been shown the way out by No.111 (Fighter) Squadron in their stupendous Hurricanes.

We patrolled the area for a further period of time looking feverishly for some more prey to destroy. When it became evident that Jerry was in no mood for this sort of pasting I called ‘Okay Chaps, RTB Croydon’ and headed for the hallowed fields of our home base. As we flew back we could hear the cries of our fearless friends in 501 Sqn and 615 Sqn, in their marvellous machines, also giving Jerry a good seeing to.

We all landed safely with the exception of ‘Quiet’ Larry who had been unfortunate enough to meet some pesky 109s enroute to Croydon. He gave as good as he got but even though the Boffins at Hawkers had designed the amazing Hurricane to take on multiple enemy machines this was a situation that even they could not have forseen. ‘Quiet’ Larry safely landed at Gatwick and caught the crew bus back to Croydon in time for the Mess bar opening. We all briefed the Station Adj and after that we made our way down to the mess for some Badgers, pianos and a rousing chorus of ‘Dorniers don’t bother me’. The rest of the station joined us in our night of celebration and we all cheered when ‘Quiet’ Larry finally made it back, just in time for the second piano going up in flames. ‘Badgers all round’ went the cry. I even found time for a few notes with my trusty Ukulele.

It was while I was at the Bar that I met a nice young filly who turned out to be a warder from the women’s prison at Holloway, in London. She said that she was used to rough treatment from the brutes behind bars and offered to show me her bruises. I said that I liked it rough and that we could adjourn to the Mess admin office. I suggested we stop by my room where we could pick up the bottles of wine and handcuffs. I don’t remember anything else after that.

Next morning I was woken by Hoskins, my batman, who said that there was a note waiting for me from my old chum Sqn Ldr Spud, OC 615 Sqn. It turns out that he had met an old 'acquaintance' of mine at Tangmere. Luckily she hadn’t remembered my name but was still suffering the after effects of that night. I owe Spud some Badgers and also made a mental note never to divert anywhere near Tangmere. Nice one Spud.

Claims:
Destroyed: 3 x Do17
Probable: Nil
Damaged: Nil

Losses: None
Pilot: OK
A/C: Hot to trot.

Tea, Cakes and Medals due to Spud for pushing my luck.
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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 32: 18th August

Post by Ninja » Tue Nov 18, 2014 10:18 pm

Squadron: No.111 Squadron
Squadron Code: JU
Pilot Name: Ninja
Date: 18th August 1940
Time: 12.30hrs
Base: Croydon
Type: Hurricane Mk1 Rotol 100oct
Marking: N for Nuts
Serial: P2888

Waiting on the field engines running getting warmer waiting for the order to scramble I decided to do a little light reading.
It was a guide to 10 recipes using powdered egg that i picked up in the mess earlier.
Half way through the guide and now feeling peckish we get the order to scramble (Recipe 2) chocks away full power and we are off.
We climb to 3000ft heading south near Kenley when a call comes over the radio as we are making a right hand orbit bandits 2 o'clock Do17s low.
Lead calls tally and begins the attack however I never saw the blighters or which direction my squadron went because i still had on my reading goggles.
So i stayed around Kenley circling at 3000ft providing top cover and hoping to catch site of the enemy.
I could hear over comms the rest of the boys were kicking jerries ass and had soon dispatched all in there wake (well done Squad).
Spotted a couple of bomber formations far to the south but they where to far and high to catch.
Finally formed up on a couple of 111sqn pilots and we return to Croyden where the boys where in high spirits after a successful day, where as I now hate powdered eggs.

Kills: 0
Damaged: 0
Probable: 0

Aircraft: Ok
Pilot: OK

Dave
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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 32: 18th August

Post by Dave » Wed Nov 19, 2014 12:28 am

Squadron: No.501 Squadron
Squadron code: "SD"
Pilot name: Dave
Date: 18th Aug 1940,
Time: 12:30
Base: Gravesend
Type: Hawker Hurricane Mk Ia
Marking: W for William
Serial number: P3141

Synopsis:

I seem to remember the words "only a patrol" being spoken prior to our first sortie on the 18th. I suppose it'll go down as one of an innumerable count of grim wartime ironies, but that'll be little consolation for the families of our chaps who went down in flames today. No. 501 squadron was assigned to patrol at angels 20 out towards Manston. I flew as Yellow Two, on P/O Robo's wing. Fang was Yellow Three but mechanical difficulties with his crate prevented his joining us on take-off.

Usual fare, hard climb to altitude, keeping our heads on a swivel for the hun. I had an uneasy feeling today however - that feeling any combat pilot inevitably gets after a while, that creeping sensation that very soon your number's going to be up. In fact I remember commenting as much to Robo prior to takeoff. Robo of course was all encouragement but I wasn't blind - we were all under the quickly mounting strain of combat. In fact the whole squadron was quite subdued the whole time - very little of the usual banter to be found. It did wonders for our radio discipline, of course, but not for our morale.

When we made it closer to Manston, my fears became quickly, and horrifyingly vindicated. Excited cries rang out over the R/T as the contrails of German planes began to appear overhead. Finger-fours of 109s left right and center. I didn't even see the bombers, transfixed with fear as I was at the enemy fighters above us waiting to pounce. Shit! I thought - Tophat's cocked up and now we're for it. We broke fast, and I lost sight of Yellow One in the shuffle. Truth be told I wasn't making much effort to find him again either; my undivided attention rather occupied by the yellow-nosed bastards swooping around us like birds of prey. It was a textbook aerial disaster - Within the first few minutes Hurricanes were dropping out of the sky like flies - even the Wingco baled after taking a nasty broadside from a lurking boche.

The fight spiralled down to lower altitude where I managed to find the bombers; 3-4 waves of He-111s as far as I could tell. I made two passes at the leftmost bomber of the second wave to no real effect before breaking off after being engaged by a flight of Me 110 escorts. By this time I was acutely aware that the only people left that I could reach on comms were Robo, Thaine and Fang (the latter having been dealt a rather kind hand by fate in his unexpected mechanical problems). I located Thaine and engaged one of the two 110s that he was battling with. I came in with superior speed, scoring deadly hits on his port engine in my first pass. I winged over and came back for another, this time nobbling his starboard engine, at which point the lumbering machine lost control and crashed in some woods south of Whitstable. I claim this aircraft as destroyed.

Thaine brought down the second "destroyer", but by this time I was clean out of ammunition and had to return to base. In any case the fight had gotten away from us by this point and I was able to return to the field unmolested by the hun, where I leapt out of the cockpit and bellowed at the nearest group of erks to get William re-fuelled and re-armed pronto.

Claims:
One Me 110 destroyed, One Heinkel damaged.

I confirm one Me 110 destroyed by W/O Thaine.

Pilot: OK
A/C:OK


Squadron: No.501 Squadron
Squadron code: "SD"
Pilot name: Dave
Date: 18th Aug 1940,
Time: 13:05
Base: Gravesend
Type: Hawker Hurricane Mk Ia
Marking: W for William
Serial number: P3141

Synopsis:

The erks didn't mess around and I was ready to go without much time to lose. I took off immediately and began a left-hand circuit over Gravesend as Yellow Leader scrambled to join me. Thaine and Fang both made it back in one piece but with their crates both damaged they were unable to join us. I kindly requested that they keep a couple of pints nice and cold for us on our return. We began gaining angels once more with the intention of heading for Kenley and Biggin, but the large smoke plumes in that direction seemed to suggest the hun had made it there and done his dirty business already. I suggested we head for the coast and try to intercept the bombers on their way out, and Robo agreed, so we headed south, hoping we weren't too late to do some more damage.

South of Kenley we didn't find any bombers, but we did, much to our mutual surprise, find a lone 109, slightly lower than us, off to our 11 o'clock. We climbed and approached, keeping the sun on our backs, but the bastard saw us anyway and dived. Fine. Let him. We waited patiently, maintaining our altitude, both wise to jerry's usual tricks. I've observed that our yellow-nosed friends are jolly good at running away in a pickle, but the German, a prideful creature by nature, will usually come back eventually with the intention of trying to pounce on his erstwhile assailant. Especially when it's a Hurricane. I've heard tell that they don't think much of Sydney Camm's plucky little machine - some of them seem to consider it a disgrace to be shot down by one in combat. Frankly I think it's a disgrace to be so pig-headedly arrogant in the first place, but I won't argue since their snobbery has only played in our favour.

Sure enough he began to climb back up again in the usual fashion after noticing his six was clear, and we attacked. We got some mostly ineffective fire on him before he dived again and outpaced us. This time he certainly wasn't messing around, having been convinced that discretion was indeed the better part of valour on this occasion. I climbed to regain altitude and unfortunately lost sight of him completely. Luckily, however, our anti-air batteries down on the ground still had a bead on him and we were able to track his progress towards the coast by the intermittent bursts of flak that dotted his path.

We eventually caught up as we crossed the coast - his having gone into a shallow climb after losing us had cost him most of his speed. Robo indicated that I should attack while he provided top cover. I swooped in and got in a number of solid hits on his wings and fuselage as he dived for the deck. I followed, pulling the tit and doing everything short of praying to make my machine go faster, all the while continuing to put long sniping shots on the 109 before my firing window closed and he was fully out of range. Meanwhile Robo was engaged with another 109, so I broke right and high, keeping an eye on the hun as I did so, hoping he would turn and fight now I'd given him my tail, but he just kept going for France. "Put the wind well and truly up this one, Robo", I said, gunning the engine and heading back for the English coast. "Not so keen on a fight when they don't have ten of their mates to back them up and four-thousand feet of height on us, eh?" I observed dryly.

We rejoined and began climbing again in the direction of home, expecting the huns to have all gone home by this point. Even so, Robo warned that I should keep my eye out for 110s, what with them having more fuel than the 109s, and it turned out he was quite right. We spotted a lone 110 (thinking at first it was a straggling Dornier) in the Canterbury area, and gave chase, ourselves still having plenty of fuel to spare. The 110 quickly outpaced us, but unfortunately for him, he was running in the wrong direction. I adjusted my course 20 degrees to starboard, hoping to intercept as he made his turn back towards France. Eventually, he did so, making a hard turn and reversing course. He seemed to have been attempting a head-on pass but was off by about 10 degrees, so I took my chance and took a single two-second, high deflection shot. The bullets smacked him right in the chops, so to speak, killing his starboard engine right away. I winged over and turned on him. The 110 continued trying to dive away to safety, but with only one engine still working he wasn't going anywhere in a hurry. I made two more passes until he stalled out and crashed just west of Manston. I claim this aircraft as destroyed.

After this encounter we finally returned to base for a neat formation landing - the skies clear of friend and foe alike. When we climbed out of our crates we were completely exhausted after two sorties in as many hours. I just gave a weak smile, patted a waggy-tailed Nigsy and pointed out that, in my frank opinion, we ought to be getting paid overtime for this.

Claims:
One Me 110 destroyed, One Me 109 damaged.

Pilot: Rather bloody knackered, but OK
A/C: Requires a couple of extra swastikas painted on the side.

Luke
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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 32: 18th August

Post by Luke » Wed Nov 19, 2014 3:09 pm

Squadron: No. 64 Squadron
Squadron Code: SH
Pilot Name: Luke
Type: Spitfire Ia 100 octane
Marking: R for Romeo
Date: 18 Aug 1940
Base: Kenley



Claims:
Confirmed: 0
Probable: 0
Damaged: 0

Losses:
AC: few scratches
Pilot: ok
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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 32: 18th August

Post by Ratty » Wed Nov 19, 2014 3:19 pm

Squadron: No. 111[F] Squadron
Squadron Code: JU
Pilot Name: Ratty
Date: 18th Aug 1940
Base: Croydon
Type: Hawker Hurricane Ia 100 Oct
Marking: R for Robert
Serial: P1532

Sitting in the lawn chair I'd half-inched from Biggin Hill and brought to Croydon in Sokka's car this afternoon and I was tense. I'd managed my first couple of sorties with No.111[F] without getting battered and I was nervous; could my luck thus far really hold? We knew that the hun would be coming in force soon and looking for blood after the thrashings they'd received the past couple of days, the question was when? We sat there for a good half hour before we received the call to mount up and start our engines - something was finally brewing and it was a tangible relief. Listening to the reports over R/T of multiple raids forming up and heading all over the south I wondered how the RAF could possibly meet them all. No time to think about that, 'Squadron scramble' comes over the radio; A formation of Do17s has been spotted by the observer corps at near tree-top height heading for Kenley. Bloody good mess in Kenley and some top-notch WAAFs, wouldn't want to let the hun spoil it.

Heading south only minutes after take off I spotted some ack-ack high in front of us and called it out. Strange, nothing up there to be shooting at, are the gunners drilling? I pulled the canopy back and started rocking the wings back and forth to get a better look over the side and spotted a mess of planes and black anti-aircraft explosions just under the nose. "Bombers 11 o'clock, on the deck - almost right underneath us!" I cry over R/T, amazed that we all missed them. Nobody tallied immediately, probably as surprised as I was to see them so low and close. Squadron leader Teepee orders me to put my nose on them and point the rest of the flight in. R/T erupts moments later, "I see the buggers!", "Dorniers! 8 or 9 of them!", "Tally Ho chaps!"

What followed was what can only be described as a famously good thrashing. I made 3 passes, 2 Dorniers burst pleasingly into flames in my gunsight and my hurricane nibbled ferociously at another's bum before the treble-oner behind me sent him to the earth in a mess of smoke and fire. I witnessed the entire formation go down at the hands of the treble one, couldn't tell you who got what though - it was all over in a matter of minutes - good show!

I did lose the squadron at this stage, but managed to find Sabre near Kenley and we went after some high bombers heading south-west at roughly angels 15. As we approached, another Hurricane from 501 was making repeated passes. As he came around for another, his approach found my high 6 and he did a damn good impression of a snapper. The eagle-eyed Sabre called break and we did, but lost each other. I did however find that 501 Hurricane again, and we were in turn found by 2 or 3 Emils which made repeated diving attacks on us. The trusty hurricane's turn-radius easily thwarted each and every pass, frustratingly outclassed though by the hun's powerful motors which kept them safe from our .303 for the 10 minutes or so that this deadly dance went on for.

Eventually the 109s decided to turn south, hopefully suitably frustrated at not landing a single hit and I turned for Croydon just as the boss was turning for finals. As I flared for landing the sun caught the windscreen of an ambulance marked 'Biggin Hill' and I hit the deck a little hard - burst a tire, collapsed a leg and knocked my forehead smack into the ranging wheel on my sight as I'd loosened my straps for landing. Nothing a good badgers and ambient piano-heat won't soothe I'm sure.

Claims:
Destroyed: 2x Dornier 17
Probable: 0
Damaged: 1x Dornier 17

Losses:
Pilot: OK
A/C: OK
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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 32: 18th August

Post by Baron le Scrope » Wed Nov 19, 2014 3:55 pm

Squadron: No.615 "County of Surrey" Squadron.
Squadron code: "KW"
Pilot name:Baron.
Date: 18th August 1940.
Time: 12.30hrs
Base:Kenley
Type: Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 100oct.Rotol.
Marking:B for beer.
Serial number: P3231

Ordered to scramble from Kenley hot foot by the Supremo from above, 615 roared into the air like the avenging angels they are, wings a slightly different shape, but heavenly just the same.

S/Ldr Spud led the angelic 615 as Red 1, me following as Blue 1 with Sgt Kev as No2 and our intrepid Sgt Midge as No3, on course for the Manston area. Climbing to angels 24 and pulling contrails we observed contrails above on our starboard side but seeing 615 they carried on past, cowardly blighters. Our skipper told us to ignore them and go for the bombers which i spotted on our low 1o'clock in 3 seperate formations. Skip' took the rear right hand cluster and saw him flame one as i asked permission to take on the middle group which was granted, Sgt Kev had got delayed and could not be seen, found out later he had copped a packet. We attacked the left hand two Ju88s, Midge the first one in, with me on the second kite which flamed and went immediately down. Pulled up and to the outside left of the Ju's and came around for the next with the same result as he also went down in flames.Lost sight of Sgt Midge in the melee.
Performed the same action to reposition for another firework display when just starting to turn back when some oil splattered the screen. Informed S/Ldr Spud i had been hit and RTB but had no impact sound and was way out of range of the enemy sharpshooters, Turned for Gravesend and watched the last bomber i had flamed crash into a cabbage patch.R/teed Midge and informed him to take charge of himself as he was now on his own, will never hear the last of it.
Approaching Gravesend i remembered that when we were at angels 24 we had closed our rads to 50% and i had not opened it to 100 when engaging at lower alt, expect a rap on the knuckles when i get back.
Should know better by now. I normally leave the rad settings at 75% and this does well for all situations, so far.
Perfect three pointer at Gravesend where two of 501 were already down. Hope they faired well.


Claims:
Destroyed: 2-Ju88s
Damaged:0
Probable:0
Losses
Pilot:OK
A/C: Overheated.otherwise OK. Chiefie asked if i had the Merlin replaced with a steam engine, sarcastic sod.
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Think nothing of it sir, it was the least I could do, a quantity I specialize in.

Larry
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Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 32: 18th August

Post by Larry » Wed Nov 19, 2014 8:51 pm

Squadron: No. 111[F] Squadron
Squadron Code: JU
Pilot Name: LARRY
Date: 18th Aug 1940, 12:30
Base: Croydon
Type: Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 100 Oct
Marking: H for Harry
Serial: P3548

After a long wait, the whole Squadron scrambled at the same moment from RAF Croydon, looking for the Low-lewel-raiders at RAF Kenley.
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Ratty spotted the Dorniers and a "Tally Ho" came from the R/T. I followed Ninja because I didn`t seen the Dorniers on low 2 o`clock. I tought where Ratty is, the enemy isn`t far away! But he didn`t seen it either. We both circled above Kenley and have to listen how the Dornier-party went over.
After a while I heard that a formation E/A headed southwards and I saw high over me the Bombers (He 111) and much higher the contrails of their "little sisters". I attacked the last section of 3 Heinkels twice, and gave eachtime a 2-3 sec burst.I damaged one badly, Oil and white Smoke came out of the starbord engine. Then I break up my attack, then now I knew I`was the hunted one. Suddenly Bullets hit my Hurricane and I got wounded, but not so serious than 2 day ago. I flew back to my Airfield and was looking for Croydon.The whole Squadron gathered around and everybody told his own experiences.
The "Treble One" had another very sucssesful Day and I was there with them, Happy to be one of a member.
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Claims:
destroyed: 0
damaged: 1 Heinkel 111

A/C: damaged
Pilot: wounded

Sgt Larry
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"We were the last bastion of defence.
After us, there was nothing."

Fighter Pilot Ken Wilkinson No 19 Sqn. Summer 1940.

Sabre
Posts: 741
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Location: Washington, England

Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 32: 18th August

Post by Sabre » Thu Nov 20, 2014 12:34 am

Squadron: No.111 (Fighter) Squadron
Squadron code: "JU"
Pilot name: P/O Sabre
Date: 18th August 1940
Time: 12.30hrs
Base: Croydon
Type: Trusty Hawker Hurricane Mk 1A
Marking: "S for Sugar"
Serial number: P3875

Synopsis:

Today was a rather strange day No.111 (Fighter) Squadron had moved up to Croydon which it has to be said is rather a bit quieter than down the road at Biggin and Kenley. The peace and tranquillity was somewhat enhanced by the lack of chaps on the ground. The Squadron Leader had given Sgt's Mauf and Sokka leave to visit their families which as Squadron Adjutant meant more paperwork. As I busied myself with more reports and a bit of filing the phone rang and Wing Commander Osprey asks for Squadron Leader Teepee to get on the blower straight away. I fumble and mumble for a bit before blurting out that he isn't available at present as he's been called away on some urgent "business". The Wing Co. didn't seem to remotely buy my feeble excuses but carried on "okay then you'll have to lead Treble One today how many pilots do you have?" I mumble "currently four sir". The Wing Co. bellows "well you'll have to rally the chaps I feel it's going to be a big day"

Well you could have knocked me down with a feather. Give me a typewriter and a pile of filing and reports and I'm like a pig in shit but leading the Squadron albeit a reduced size Squadron was going to be a stretch but hell this is war. Looking around Sergeants Ratty, Ninja and Larry were all in good spirits and I briefed the boys that we were to stand ready and expect trouble. I scoured the field at Croydon for Schmuck a young American flyer who had a wandering eye for the ladies a little akin to the Squadron Leader who was attending to "business". We'd started a game of chess what seemed like hours ago but Schmuck had to make an emergency call to the Medical Tent to check on a problem we'd had with an Ambulance Driver earlier in the week. The fact that there were at least a couple of very fit young nurses was apparently irrelevant - well according to Schmuck that is!

Still no sign of the Squadron Leader and my nerves were starting to jangle something terrible, I stared constantly at the phone waiting for the call and nearly jumped out of my skin when as a horn hooted and there was the Squadron Leader with a rare beauty (the car wasn't bad either). I politely suggested to the Sqn Leader Teepee that he may wish to have his companion leave the airfield and contact the Wing Co. post-haste with at least a half baked reason for his untimely absence. No sooner had the Sqn. Leader put the phone down and Schmuck arrives promptly direct from the Medical Tent straightening out his uniform.

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Squadron Leader Teepee, Pilot Officer Sabre and Sergeant Ratty wait patiently for the call.

Okay boys time to ready ourselves in our trusty Hurricanes. Sqn. Leader Teepee tells us we'll fly as a Section of 6 and we were to expect some more nuisance raids, against our airfields. We waited and waited for what seemed like an eternity. Some of the boys chatted and others sat quietly, I admired a smashing bit of artwork on the nose of Sergeant Ratty's wonder machine and then we were ordered to start engines. The adrenalin pumped only to ebb away as our Merlin engines rumbled away eager for the roar that would start our quest for the Hun.

Then it was time and we received the scramble call. The Sqn. Leader called over the radio to climb to 4,000ft, and keep an eye out for the low level attackers. It wasn't long before Ratty spotted the scoundrels in the shape of Dornier 17's scraping along on their bellies at around 1500ft 3 miles South of Kenley.

The order came to launch an attack and No.111 (Fighter) Squadron in our mighty Hurricanes dived down to strike our first blows. I lined up on a Do17 and made my first pass striking it's starboard engine causing it to catch fire and spew out black smoke. I climbed away and circled for second pass. The boys were knocking them down and calling out as the Do17's spiralled and crashed to the ground. On my second pass I flamed another Do17 this time in its port engine and watched as it plummeted into the ground below. We searched the skies and picked out what seemed to be the last of the Hun making a run for it. I lined him up and introduced him to the world of DeWilde flaming his engine and sending him to the ground. The entire Squadron of enemy Bombers had been obliterated by No.111 (Fighter) Squadron.

I looked around and quickly found Ratty near Kenley and we went after some high bombers heading south-west at about 15,00 feet. As we approached the bombers I picked out a contact at our six high and he seemed to be making pass on Ratty and I called him to break. Turns out it was a Hurricane from another Squadron but in the confusion I lost Ratty so proceeded to pursue the bombers. Then the call came from Squadron Leader to call it a day "Okay Chaps, RTB Croydon", the boys started to check in once more, Ninja had found the Sqn. Leader, Ratty and Schmuck had also made their way safely back. I circled above watching the boys land safely, unfortunately Larry had an encounter with 109s on his way home to Croydon but managed to land at Gatwick.

I dropped down and slid the old girl safely to the ground at Croydon. As I climbed down from my trusty machine there was already a jolly good racket coming from the Mess. As I headed in for some Badgers I noticed the Medical Tent was all closed up again and there was no sign of Schmuck.

Claims:
Destroyed: 3 x Do17
Probable: Nil
Damaged: Nil

Losses:
Pilot: Okay
A/C: Okay
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No.111 (Fighter) Squadron - "Adstantes" - Standing by
"Worry only on the things you can influence and accept there are things beyond your control"

Fang
Posts: 248
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 10:54 pm
Location: Bristol, England

Re: Adlerangriff. Mission 32: 18th August

Post by Fang » Thu Nov 20, 2014 3:16 pm

Squadron: No.501 Squadron
Squadron code: "SD"
Pilot name: Sgt.Fang
Date: 18th Aug 1940,
Time: 12:30
Base: Gravesend
Type: Hawker Hurricane Mk Ia
Marking: f for Feddie
Serial number: L1953

Synopsis:

Bloody typical the bells go down swiftly climb into my crate only to fire her up and then spluttter to a stop. Sat waiting for ginger the spanner to crank some life back in to my machine and hearing the rest of 501 climb into the blue. Finally ready to go and with yellow leader giving me the update on their location I fling myself down the grass strip and climb, now flat out and climbing like a whirling dervish I am desperate to make contact with the rest of squadron and still cursing my rotten luck. Over the radio comes Bombers bloody hundreds of them I am now over margate at angels 20 and its all kicking off over cambridge. Quickly setting a course for cambridge I am off chasing the boys trying to get there and help out, all the sections are now engaged in a massive fight over the skies of cambridge when I arrive I can see 4 large formations making for London, My opening burst sets the starboard engine flaming of one unlucky bastards and I see them descending rapidly, pulling up to gain more altitude for another run I then empty the rest of rounds into a HE-111. While turning away a 109 rakes my port side but with a sharp turn I fall away and lose him. Calling Yellow leader to tell of my situation I make for home, what a crazy 40 minutes finishing in a nice landing and a hot cuppa.


Claims:
Destroyed 1xJU87
Damaged 1xHE-111

Pilot: OK
A/C:OK

Locked