Rupert Rassendale Pilot Officer, RAF 145 Sqn, B flight Yellow 2 West Hampnett.
Aug 1940
We were given the business today. Ran into Me 110's over Boxhall. All the chaps in B flight just kept hammering at em to keep our tails clear. I did spot my wingman knocking down one. No losses but had holes everywhere. 1 confirmed. Second time up was a Sqn Scramble 10 + Raid over Southhampton. Nasty fight, I damaged a Do 17 then tangled with the Me 110s. My kite took a few hits, but I got away. Over Home base , I found that my Hydraulics had been shot away so had to Pancake on the grass alongside the runway. A really hard landing, No Flaps , No Landing Gear.. Our losses were 1 Destroy ,Bailout, 1 Pancaked 40 % wrecked. 2 German Do 17s claimed.