The first 110 I tackle, I very nearly run into.



Well chastened, I go wide and return to the fray, cutting across the Hun's turn without difficulty.



I slip in behind him and give him a good hosing down. He rolls over onto his back and goes down, obviously damaged. But not all the way down. Rather than lose height to go after him, I settle for knocking him out of the fight.



Looking around, there are now no aircraft nearby. In the middle distance, Spits and 110s are wheeling around, while I can see two formations off in the distance. I hope the smaller, higher one is another RAF squadron chasing down those Junkers 88s. Their escort has certainly done a god job of keeping us away from them. But then, there's only five of us.



I pick out another solitary 110 and cut across his turn.



He levels out and runs for it. Even with full power - plus 12 boost, thanks to that 100 Octane petrol - I can't catch him. I settle for a long-range burst and am pleasantly surprised to get some hits. The Hun flips into a vertical dive.



At that point, I become aware of another 110, out to my right rear. He's not showing any interest in me - probably heading for home, given we're now flying south east.



Taking no chances, I let the other 110 go and easing back on the boost, come around in a wide, fast 360 degree turn behind the newcomer. Rolling out wings level, I find myself behind several 110s, widely scattered and all apparently headed back to France.



Try as I might, I can't catch any of them. They're obviously quite fast machines and in a bit of a hurry. By this time I'm out over the Channel - somewhere between Dover and Dungeness I think, though it's a bit hazy. I'm not doing any good out here on my own and don't fancy getting my feet wet if things turn nasty, so turn for home.



I tell the boys to return to base as I go. I remember a couple announcing they were going home during the air fight, so I'm hoping things haven't gone too badly, despite the odds of five to about thirty-five.



Back at base, I find it's bad enough - two pilots killed, including my Number 2 again - this Red 2 slot is beginning to look like it's jinxed! I claim a 110 damaged and the others have claimed two Huns destroyed, so we have given as good as we got, despite the appalling odds.



With some pilots just returned from rest or hospital, the squadron roster is now looking slightly healthier, though. We'll be able to put up a full flight of six, although that's still only half what we're supposed to manage.



This is proving to be a real battle of attrition. Obligatory patriotic bravado aside, who will crack first, I'm beginning to wonder?