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COMBAT REPORT

Name:
Date:
Flight, squadron:
Number of enemy aircraft:
Type of enemy aircraft:
Time attack was delivered:
Place attack was delivered:
Height of enemy:
Enemy casualties:
Our casualties:
General report:
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Maybe Jerry is licking his wounds. We sit around all day in the pleasingly warm conditions doing nothing. In fact there isn't a cloud in the sky.

Finally at past 17:00pm, we hear something is going on, but don't get the order to scramble until 17:50pm. We are to go to Redhill area again. I can't help but feel that we are too far forward at Hawkinge these days. Jerry has certainly changed his tactics.

As if to prove the first point, as we take off, we are hit by Me110s from behind. I see two of our chaps go down immediately.

Once we mix it with them, we shoot down a solid tally of nine! Blue 3 (George in 'O') blows one up right in my face at one point.

But we were caught low (we fought right on top of Hawkinge). The Ack Ack gunners were shooting at all of us, which didn't make me too happy.

We are moving away from the coast tonight. Thames Estuary apparently.


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COMBAT REPORT

Name: P/O Cyril Walter
Date: 3rd September 1940
Flight, squadron: B Flight, Number 32 from Hawkinge.
Number of enemy aircraft: 200+
Type of enemy aircraft: Ju88 and Do17. Me110s.
Time attack was delivered: 1800
Place attack was delivered: Hawkinge AF, heading west.
Height of enemy: 2000 feet
Enemy casualties: 9x Me110
Our casualties: three aircraft and three pilots injured.
Personal claims- nil
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Pilots Log
P/O Axle Grease
74 Sqn RAF
Middle Wallop
3 Sept 40

The Squadron went up twice today, paroling Poling CH. No Contact but I did have a nice view of the area as Blue 2. While we were up heard a lot of Radio Chatter about a 100+ Raid heading inland. Then RTB. I now have 10 hrs on Spits. The Squadron has 6 a/c serviceable and 13 Pilots expect a production batch of aircraft on the marrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7ap45hOglM

COMBAT REPORT

Name: Sqn. Ldr. Yan Vaillancourt
Date: 3 Septembre, 1940
Flight, squadron: A Flight, 610 Squadron
Number of enemy aircraft: 40+
Type of enemy aircraft: He111, Me109
Time attack was delivered: 12:00
Place attack was delivered: 4 Miles S of Manston
Height of enemy: 15 000"
Enemy casualties: 2 He111 destroyed, 1 damaged by squadron (several more by other squadrons); 1 Me109 destroyed.
Our casualties: 2 Spitfires damaged.
General report:

Scrambled to intercept raid on Manston. Made contact S of Manston with 4 formations of He111, one of which was substantially ahead and below the others. At least 3 other RAF squadrons could be seen.

With no signs of escorts, ordered 610 Squadron to engage lead Heinkel formation.

Made a head-on pass, but failed to do any damage, then came back around for a high speed approach from their 5 O'clock. As the distance closed, fired a 5 second burst at rightmost Heinkel. Its right engine gave a flash and brewed up, and at nearly point blank range bomber exploded. Banked Spitfire hard to the right, avoiding debris and defensive fire.

Coming around for another pass, noticed a squadron of Me109s breaking apart and diving onto us. Ordered 610 Squadron to engage Messerschmitts. Other squadrons continued to attack Heinkels, but were quickly out of range and lost from sight as we moved against the fighters.

109s must have been part of advance fighter screen and just now returning to its target area, for no sooner had they engaged us that they turned back towards France; no doubt they were low on petrol.

Pursued a nearby Messerschmitt, and from dead astern fired a 2 second burst into fuselage. Pilot bailed out over the channel, but did not notice a parachute. Gave chase to another alongside Yellow 3, but expended remaining ammunition without causing any discernible damage.

With petrol running low, ordered squadron to RTB. Returned to Coltishall safely, no losses.

Final Tally:

- 2 He111 destroyed, 1 damaged by squadron (several more doubtless killed and damaged by other squadrons); 1 Me109 destroyed.
- 2 Spitfires damaged.


COMBAT REPORT

Name: Sqn. Ldr. Yan Vaillancourt
Date: 3 Septembre, 1940
Flight, squadron: A Flight, 610 Squadron
Number of enemy aircraft: 0
Type of enemy aircraft: N/A
Time attack was delivered: N/A
Place attack was delivered: N/A
Height of enemy: N/A
Enemy casualties: N/A
Our casualties: N/A
General report:

Scrambed to intercept raid on Manston. Enemy raid was well on its way back to France as we reached the channel, and we could not establish contact.

With no other enemy aeroplanes in sight, ordered squadron to RTB. Returned to Coltishall safely, no losses.

Final Tally:

N/A

Notes:

Today as a good day indeed. We helped maul a raid on Manston with no losses to our own. While downing a total 3 aeroplanes in total might not be as impressive as some other days we have had, doing it at a ratio of 3 to 0 is agreeable enough.

The evening raids were all against coastal targets close to France, and so we had no chance of reaching them before they made it back to safely. Still, it is gratifying that they continue their efforts against these targets. None of them have had any operational squadrons in quite some time. Better they waste their bombs and aeroplanes against such targets, than against operational aerodromes (or London, god forbid).

We are now back up to 14 Spitfires, and are as ready as can be for whatever tomorrow brings.

September 3rd 1940

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Today’s duty:

Red Section: Sqn Ldr SH, Sgt EC, P/O KM
Blue Section: F/O JH, Sgt LB, P/O DS
Yellow Section: F/O RNH (self), Sgt DH, P/O DH
Green Section: F/O PC, Sgt HA, P/O CS

Well the day starts with 19 Hurris on tap and one still u/s. We’ve got 24 bods on the books again too thanks to the arrival of Flt Lt L (Polish) and Sgt TC.
TC is going onto training flights along with P/O CB until their hours are up a bit. Flt Lt L on the other hand is going straight on duty as he is a highly experienced pilot.

Another early start for us with another midday mission. Don’t these Jerry’s realise they’re ruining the lay-ins of the “tea-time squadron”!?
It was a terrific takeoff. All three resident squadrons at Kenley on the off all at once, and we stayed together all the way till contact with the enemy was made over the Brooklands industrial complex.
We saw the bombers from afar, but the 109 escorts came hammering down on us, so it became every man for himself!
I got paired up with a 109, and after a quick squirt that got him smoking, we got too close and collided. My starboard wing came clean off and it took quite some time to actually remove myself from the aircraft as it was spinning rather violently. I landed without further mishap in the grounds of the Hawker Factory.
I’m not so bothered about riding the silk elevator to the ground anymore… it’s just getting out the aircraft in the first place that’s upsets the composure!
I was back at Kenley within 2 and a half hours to find my 109 was confirmed destroyed, and that Sgt DH also got one confirmed.
Not an amazing result, but at least we’re all physically in one piece!



Kills scored:
F/O RNH: 1 Me109
Sgt DH: 1 Me109




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Red Section: Sqn Ldr SH, Sgt EC, P/O KM
Blue Section: F/O JH, Sgt LB, P/O DS
Yellow Section: F/O RNH (self), Sgt DH, P/O DH
Green Section: F/O PC, Sgt HA, P/O CS

Same duty as earlier today, and it’s off to the Channel where we meet an armada of He111s head-on. Seems like these chaps had all the ammunition in the world to throw back at us – or at least me – and my kite takes a pounding within a few minutes. Deep over the drink and with my engine missing a beat and spewing smoke in all directions, I elect the safe option and beat a hasty retreat back to friendly shores.
Turned out to be a tough cookie to crack, and despite numerous damages called out, only P/O CS was able to successfully knock one down.
Turns out Jerry suffered for it later though and our softening up of the formation helped the next wave of friendly really do some damage. We’ve heard tell that one entire formation of 30+ He111s was almost wiped out after trying to get to a target in Bristol (and failed). Only 4 aircraft made it out, and they were all carrying holes from numerous .303s.



Kills scored:
P/O CS: 1 He111

If the last few days are anything to go by, it shows that Hitler’s not out of it yet and there’s a tough time ahead still. But with any luck, we’ve shown we’re not going to lie down and let them just walk in without a fight.
The day finishes with 16 kites ok and 4 u/s. The Flight and his Erks will be busy tonight once more.



F/O RNH