BoB Mission 7 attack of coastal airfields
RAF
Capt R Curtis. Blue Leader Vet Evasion US V
Flt Sgt John Davis Black 2 AI US X
The first low droning notes of the air raid siren drowned out the conversation in the mess. chairs hit the floor as the pilots headed for the door.
The majority of the Squadron headed for the slit trenches surrounding the airfield, but Ron turned towards his Hurricane , it's fitters scrambling off its wing."Get the chocks clear " Ron shouted, throwing his chute into the cockpit . The fitter dutifully obliged. Easing the throttle open Ron guided his plane into the wind
3 He 111s appeared over the fields outer markers.
Flying low and without an escort they headed straight and level for the centre of the aerodrome
Looking back he could see a second Hurricane taxiing behind him .A familiar voice came over the RT " Davis here Sir Lucky we got up, they here to get the airfield?"
"Put money on it " Ron replied "Tuck in behind me and lets give them something to take back to France" "Roger that Skipper" came the reply
The Heinkels by now were lining up in true German precision. To high to srafe the field they intended to do maximum damage to the landing strip and its surrounding buildings..
The Hurricanes climbed quickly and zeroed in on the tightly bunched bombers just as the lead bombers dropped on the strip
Curtis banked his plane right towards the outer bomber of the formation,Davis followed squeezing a short burst at 400 yds, his plane kicking as the guns recoiled (3)
Curtis held off till he was closer (1,3) watching tracers race past him from the waist gunner
More bombs rained down on the field The lead plane slipping left opening its engines to full throttle. Davis continued to pump bullets into the wing plane (6,2,1+RRD) Curtis sees the rounds rip the Heinkels rudder into shreds (4+RRd,1+LRD ,0) But the waist gunner returns an accurate raking fire (2,2,0+LRD)
With his rudder jammed and badly damaged the bomber jettisons his last bombs
Curtis switches target to the tail end Heinkel (0,2) suffering some fuselage damage in the process (2) . Davis sticks to his target and a short burst sees it roll over and fall from the sky. (5 ,1,4+RRD)
Davis sweeps in front of the nose gunner and feels the rounds hit the fabric (2,0) (0.2+RRD) A 2 second burst and strips of metal peel off its wing (5) The waist gunner pounding the second Hurricane with accurate fire (3,2) (1.0)
North Weald was smouldering wreck. Its runway pitted and cratered by the 500lbs bombs so no chance for the Hurricanes to land . A thud to the engine and Curtis sees smoke covr his canopy (0,3+Smoke) which clears quickly (disregard chit )
Davis continues to punish the lead 111 (3,2) (1,1)
and Curtis pounds his target (7,3) but his plane takes more damage the controls begin to feel sluggish (1.2+RRD)
Like dogs snapping at the heels of their prey the fighters But Curtis is forced to break off after a final squirt (4,2,LRD)
Davis , his ammo running low presses hard on the button his first salvo hitting the wing (4,4,1) and his final rounds saw the Heinkel dip its nose to the ground, (8,2,XP)
Easing his plane round he saw the lone remaining Heinkel behind him. With no ammo and nowhere to land He gave the bomber a wide berth.
" Tower here Black 2 .Runway is out for the mo so land at Biggin Hill"
"Roger that control " he replied banking left towards his new temporary base.
Result
RAF
Capt R Curtis. Blue Leader Vet Evasion US V RTB
Flt Sgt John Davis Black 2 AI US X. RTB/2 kills
Luftwaffe.
1 He111 RTB
2 He111 SD
Airfield runway destroyed.
Runway repair time estimated at 2 days. A German victory , but its only the start!!!!
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