I lead the squadron towards the Bandits, who come under Ack Ack fire as they near the coast. I had thought that I could see one or two other aircraft near them, flying separately and higher up, but they seem to have disappeared. Escorts or attackers withdrawing, perhaps? Anyhow those other, indistinct specks seem to have gone, now it's just us and them. Whoever 'them' is.



I tell the boys to get stuck in and then roll in for my own attack, as the Huns pass ahead and below. Heinkels, they look like, and only about six of them - sheer tactical madness, German Oxo cubes being fed to the British lion. As I bank left, Red 2 is already announcing he's attacking. McAuley is a good pilot and keen as mustard, with a couple of scalps already under his belt.



I get hits on my own target before breaking hard right. At that very moment Taylor, Blue 3, announces he's bailing out!



I strongly suspect he has collided with the Heinkel that's going down in flames with its outer wing panels torn off. It's pretty unlikely hits from .303s alone could have done that so quickly. Not a great start!



I come around in a wide sweep to clear my tail and take stock. There's still no sign of escorts. And the bombers are clearly in a bit of a mess, already. Two of them are still ploughing on to the north-west, with Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, beyond them. Another two are breaking away to their left, harried by a couple of Spits. Another Heinkel is right over on his back, showing his pale blue belly, to their right rear.



The one I think Blue 3 collided with has stopped burning, but is clearly done for.



And I very much doubt the one who's upside down will end up any better off.



He falls away, looking completely out of control, although a Spitfire, just beyond, seems to be keeping an eye on the Heinkel, in case he makes a dramatic recovery. Despite Blue 3 going down, we seem to have the situation pretty well taped.



The two bombers who haven't given up are soon under attack from astern.



The leader is hit and dropping behind by the time I come in for a pass at the other Heinkel.



I really should have steadied her up a bit more before letting fly, but I still get plenty of hits.



But not enough, it seems. The Hun is still flying level and leaving only a thin, intermittent smoke trail by the time I break off, untouched by any return fire.



So I'm quite pleased when I see the Huns bail out and the Heinkel begin to fall away.



You'll do!

...to be continued!