First sign of trouble is flak coming up from below.It's quite accurate, so I take us a bit further out to sea, increase the power and gain a bit more height.



A look at the fuel gauge and a quick sweep of the other instruments shows all is well there.



Out to the west, I can see the Medway leading off from the Thames Estuary, which we are now crossing.



There's no sign of the enemy, of for that matter any of our bombers who might need our closer attention. Below, there's a sizeable bank of cloud...



...but at our level, it's still reasonably clear.



I throw in a few small changes of course the better to look around and down, but all seems clear. No shipping down there either, yet.



All at once, the situation changes. Enemy aircraft below and behind!



I push the throttle fully forward and reverse course quickly, but can't see them anywhere. Worse, I've drawn away from the others, who are now in a gaggle about a kilometre or more behind. I slow down and level off, so they can close up.



Suddenly, a squadron of Spitfires rushes into the gap and the fight is on!



...to be continued!