Nigel Notting Pilot Officer, RAF 145 Sgn, 11 Group B Flight, 2 section Yellow 3 Westhampett, AF
1 Damaged
Aug 8, 1940
2 Section was over Convoy Botney Bay circling when we got jumped. The 1st to go down was the Weaver machine ( black smoke off to the rear left ) then we scattered. The enemy did a good job that day. They hit us high and hit the convoy low, Someone said Stukas but all I saw was 109s behind and one overshot and dove away from me. ( 3 Yellow Nosed a/c ) I saw 2 ships get blasted by bombs as I ran down low.. Then it was over so RTB. Score: 2 Hurricanes destroyed ( 2 Missing ) 1 109 claimed.
Nigel Notting Pilot Officer, RAF 145 Sgn, 11 Group B Flight, 2 section Yellow 3 Westhampett, AF
Aug 8, 1949.
Afternoon : The bell in the Ops shack was ringing someone yelled its a Sqn Scramble. We ran to get up all 12 Hurri's , but I was thinking He must be Crackers. As we lifted off, the Sqn C.O. was talking on the RT and Top Hat said where to Head to Southamptom Angles 12, Buster 20 + Very soon came Tally Ho. Off to the right above and a few below Yellow Nosed Bandits . I dove and was lining up on a 109 when another unseen fighter put 9 hits in my kite Between me and the Tail section. ( later my Flt Lt would say I was lucky. If the e/a would used his cannon instead of MG's my Tail would have come off. ) Twisting I got out of the way and saw a 109 above. I pulled up and fired , maybe a few hits ? , then Stalled. I barely pulled up above the water. RTB Score: We lost another Hurricane Pilot KIA.
Nigel Notting Pilot Officer, RAF 145 Sgn, 11 Group B Flight, 2 section Yellow 3 Westhampett, AF
1 Damaged 15 Aug 1940.
The weather cleared and Back to Ops.
0950 hrs Sqn Patrol Shipping Lanes. No Joy
1330 hrs: 2 Section Scramble vectored to Thorny Island then was bounced by 2 Engine Fast Bombers ? Lost 2 Hurri's for zero I got off a Squirt as one began his dive for France.
After many days of empty skies, we were called in to handle an incoming raid, expected Bombers 5+ with a small escort. We made contact over the channel and moved to engage. My longtime wingman Luke Corwin broke off for home almost immediately, whether from engine failure or damage I do not know.
He looked to have a clear shot home so I closed quickly on my target, a JU 88, and quickly dispatched him. Two Jerries jumped for a swim before the plane smashed into the water. Seeing the other bombers under threat from the other Hurricanes, I moved to try to catch up to Luke and ensure he made it back safe.
To my horror, when I closed the distance I found him being engaged by four BF110s. I immediately pulled the plug, slammed the throttle forward and dove down amongst the Jerries, hoping to distract them long enough for Luke to escape. The pack scattered as I flashed passed, two disengaging and heading for home. Unfortunately, one managed to stay on Lukes tail and I watched helplessly as his Hurricane caught fire and pitched downward toward the Channel. I couldn't see if there was a chute, but I hastily engaged the 110.who dispatched Luke. After a protracted fight, I seperated him from his port wing and watched with satisfaction as the burning hulk disappeared below the waves with its full crew abord.
Jacob Fry also did not return from the mission. No-one saw him go down, so we hold out hope for his return.
My Flight mates and I went over to the Savoy to see the New Show. The Sqn Leader been chasing the lead dancer by standing by the Stag Door. I say, Smashing !
Nigel Notting Pilot Officer, RAF 145 Sgn, 11 Group B Flight, 2 section Yellow 3 Westhampett, AF
2 Damaged 1 confirmed Kill.
17 Aug 1940.
On Patrol with 2 Section near Burnemouth. Spotted and attacked some e/a. I got mixed in with a flight of Heinkills. Closed to 200 yds and pushed the trigger. My 303's got strikes all over the bomber then smoke and fire out of the Port motor. Fired another burst, more smoke then the e/a rolled over and went into a spin. No Chutes were seen. I couldnt watch more , as 109s were swarming about. I did get a bit of one 109 as my ammo ran out. I did a split S and dove for home. The Sqn Claimed 6 e/a destroyed for 3 losses . 2 pilots bailed out and returned that afternoon.
Nigel Notting Pilot Officer, RAF 145 Sgn, 11 Group B Flight, 2 section Yellow 3 Westhampett, AF
2 Damaged 1 confirmed Kill.
19 Aug 1940.
On patrol with 6 a/c near Southhampton. Vectored to intercept 18+ Bandits at 15000 ft over the channel. The e/a turned into 5 Ju88 types + a Lot of ME 110s as escorts. My mates got 2 Bombers and I got a squirt at one the it was a free for all with the 110s. I almost got the chop when one zoomed behind me ( took 8 MG rds , glad the rest missed ) Broke to port and corked screwed down to 3000 ft and went home. Sgn Claimed 3 Destroyed. I saw a bomber go down 2 chutes came out. We lost a Hurri. The Sqn is only at Haft strength Replacements are due in.
Nigel Notting Pilot Officer, RAF 145 Sgn, 11 Group B Flight, 2 section Yellow 3 Westhampett, AF
2 Damaged 1 confirmed Kill.
20 Aug 1940.
Bagged a Do 17 today. Our 6 a/c section was off Brighton. Chased 2 Bombers over the channel. Flt Denton got his then I closed firing from 200 yds and closed e/a emitted smoke and fire the rolled over and down. I didnt see any chutes. Spotted falk off to the right and saw 6 bombers,but before we could attack Me 110s were on us I shot at one then got lost in the clouds. Claims 3 e/a destroyed , 2 bombers + 1 Me 110, Lost 1 Hurricane. 145 Sqn is down to 5 survivors.
I think this video is pretty neat. We are scrambled in on some bombers, who start their dives just as we attack. It was pretty awesome watching everybody perform their roles. I got one bomber down and then the escorts attacked! Despite my best efforts, I managed to get my engine shot out, after previously having taken some control surface damage. (And to be fair, I was distracted by a really cool visual I had never seen before, of what I think was a big oil slick from a sunken ship. I then tried to make my way back towards the convoy before ditching. Fortunately, I was picked up and back to the squadron by the next day! (I dunno, the helicoptered me out, I guess...)
The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
Nigel Notting Pilot Officer, RAF 145 Sgn, 11 Group B Flight, 2 section Yellow 3 Westhampett, AF
2 Damaged 2 confirmed Kills.
Aug 23-24 1940.
Re-placements coming in had enough down time to get in 2 hops with the Newbies. One had 12 hrs on a Hurri the others less. We did a hop over Brighton ( 23rd ) then a Circuit over Southhamptom. 0n the 24th.