Template:
(code here)Mission Date: 29th July 1940
Name:
Rank:
Unit:
Aircraft:
Markings:
Aerodrome: Marquise East
Pilot Status: KIA / OK
Aircraft Status: Lost / Damaged
Victory Claims:
Time Place Aircraft Opponent Confirmed - - - - -
http://www.aircombatgroup.co.uk/forum/v ... =66&t=1169
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Mission Date: 29th July 1940
Name: Pitti
Rank: Major
Unit: Stab II./JG26
Aircraft: Bf 109 E-3
Markings: << + -
Aerodrome: Marquise East
Pilot Status: OK
Aircraft Status: Water Radiator damaged. RTB
Victory Claims: Multiple enemies heavily damged, but could obersve final victories.
After the successful attack on Dover yesterday, the high command decided to keep up the pressure on it by sending more bombers.
I led my Gruppe into the air for the first escort mission at 0705 from our airfield Marquise Ost. Unterfeldwebel was flying as my wingman.
After assembly over the airfield we headed towards Dover to meet up with the bombers. At 0710 I spotted the Stukas (about 20) approaching Calais on an altitude of about 3000m.
We kept climbing towards them and reached them while they left the French coast. The 6th Staffel (with me as leader) went into position on the left side of the bomber formation, the 4th on the right die and the 5th were assigned with the high cover task.
At 0718, mid channel, I received a radio call that the Stukas are under attack by Hurricanes. The must have come in from high altitude since we didn't spot them on their approach. We turned around towards the bombers to get them clear of the enemies. We climbed a bit to gain altitude and a good attack position above the bombers while the past us below from my 1 to 11 o'clock, I witnessed a mid air collision between an enemy fighter and one of the Stukas. It resulted in a explosion with a big fire ball. I felt the shock wave shaking my plane. What a cruel sight!
After we were about 500m above the Stukas I gave orders to dive down into the attack. I made several attack runs on the Hurricanes and managed to heavily damage two of them. They left the bombers streaming liquid and with holes in their wings. But I didn't see them going down.
After the Stukas dived into attack on Dover town and harbour we stayed above and tried to clean the are for the next wave of Stukas which should arrive soon after. Multiple small dogfights developed were Wiesel and me engaged some Spitfires and Hurricanes just in front of the harbour. At some point in the dogfight we lost visual on each other. Wiesel replied to me over the radio that he is chasing an enemy low over Dover while I was clear of any enemy and was gaining altitude over Dover. I shouted at him that he shall break of the fight and climb up to me since I couldn't see him and thus wouldn't be able to help him when he gets into trouble. Shortly after he shouted a "Horrdio" over the radio, he had send the enemy he chased to the ground. I congratulated him (although I couldn't witness his claim) and urged him to climb and join up with me. But it was too late, only seconds later I heard him scream the he is under attack while escaping low over the harbour. His radiator was hit so he had to be fast to get back to France. I spotted him while he left the harbour. Luckily the Spitfire turned away from him and he was able to made it back to France.
In the meantime the next wave of Stukas arrived at the harbour. They were already under attack by Spitfires and Hurricanes. I climbed towards them. Three Spitfires past in front of me but they didn't spot me since they were in a left turn and showed me there bellies. I brought myself into a good attack position over the harbour just as the Stukas start diving on their targets. I attacked two Spitfires and a Hurricane. I caused heavy damage to all of them but again I didn't saw any of them going down.
Enemies were all around me and the Flak was barking at me as well. I was alone and low on ammunition, so I decided to get my ass out of there. I has just turned towards France when I spotted a Spitfire on my six o'clock. I went into a shallow dive to get away from him. But I had no luck, this Tommie was following me. He was still on me when I was more then half way back to France, now flying at only 100m over the water. He was not in gun range so I kept on flying straight at high speed in hope that he will gave off. Meanwhile I called out for help over the radio and shortly after I saw a 109 coming down on the Spitfire. But this 109 wasn't any help since he wasn't able to get any hits on the Spitfire. He missed the Spitfire so much that the Tommie probably hasn't noticed that someone was following him.
Unfortunately the Enemy managed to get a lucky shot on my left water radiator, which started streaming. I get angry and had enough of this. So I started a barrel roll which caused the enemy to overshoot me and I put some holes into him while he crossed my Revi during that manoeuvre. Now he must had realised what big mistake he had made and tried to run home. We were already near the French coast. I knew that me engine would quit soon so I headed directly back to our airfield. When looking back I saw that the Spitfire was now under attack by two 109 of the 6th Staffel. Everyone gets what he deserves ...
My engine stopped during my landing approach on Marquise Ost but I managed to make a safe and clean landing, clock showed 0745.
I was happy to hear that the 6th Staffel hadn't lost one pilot. Everyone mad it back to France. Although most of them slightly damaged. Especially these water radiators of the 109 them to be a big issue. Hopefully Mr. Messerschmitt has a solution for this in the next series.