Sneak Attack on Blyth Harbour: May 1940
Flying Officer ‘Tug’ Carrington hated his posting and longed to get back to 666 Sqn. He was temporarily attached to RAF Acklington in the north east of England. A. it was cold and B he couldn’t speak the local lingo, Geordie, or something like that.
He had heard that 2 older Royal Naval ships were at anchor in the River Blyth, near a place called Battleship Wharf. His brother was a submariner stationed at the submarine base in Blyth.
‘Tug’ was flying a coastal patrol and thought he’d head over Blyth way when he spotted 2 twin engine bombers heading from inland towards Blyth. Funny, he thought, there were no Blenheim squadrons posted around Newcastle. He flew over for a closer look and he spotted the crosses on the wings. Sneaky buggers had flown inland then headed back towards Blyth.
He throttled forward and headed for the nearer of the two, now identified as JU88’s and not Blenheims.
Mistiming his approaching dive, he just managed to dodge the turning 88 and fly over the top. Damn that was close. He decided to bank round and head for the 2nd 88 which was lining up for a bombing run on the larger of the two anchored RN vessels.
The 1st 88 turned onto his tail and shots were exchanged from his Hurricane to the lead 88 and from the tailing 88 into his Hurricane.
He saw the black bombs detach from under the 88 as it turned right, he followed slamming more bullets into the 88. The trailing 88 hit him again.
As the 88 in front banked he edged closer and slammed bullets into the airframe from blank range. The 88 turned left and down towards the sea.
His Hurricane had taken a beating and he was sure he could feel blood trickling down his arm. Must have been hit, now for number 2!
The 2nd 88 lined up and dropped it’s bomb load which straddled the front deck and starboard side of the old cruiser, before banking left and heading out to open sea.
‘Tug’ couldn’t close the distance and decided to land back at Acklington. Approach was good and his wheels touched down, he taxied over and parked up. His mechanic saw he was wounded and said he should report to the MO and get it seen to.
‘Tug’ reported in his kill and the 88 attack on Blyth Harbour before heading over to the MO. The MO gave him a sick chit for 2 weeks. Lucky ‘Tug’.
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