Dogfight by Adam Claasen

Author:Adam Claasen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: eBook, Fiction/General
Publisher: Exisle Publishing Pty Ltd
Published: 2009-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

For the loss of three Defiants, 264 had accounted for six Do 17s and an Me 109. Not a bad effort considering the one Hurricane squadron that did take on the bombers unhindered had failed to bring down a single aircraft but had lost three members. Nevertheless, it was only a matter of time before the Defiants were again tragically exposed.

Two hours later, radar picked up signs of enemy preparations west of Belgium. It looked like it would be the day’s big raid, so Park put up ten squadrons. Then, when it became apparent that Hornchurch, North Weald and possibly London were the targets, he sent the remainder of his force into action and once again called on 12 Group to cover his northern fields, as his fighters went to intercept the raiders. The enemy split into a northern and southern fork. The former hit Debden, scattering buildings, destroying an aircraft and killing three airmen. Once again Leigh-Mallory failed to provide timely cover and 19 Squadron arrived only after the bombers had departed. This was in spite of the fact that Duxford was barely ten miles from Debden. The southern fork felt the weight of Park’s fighters and when the Me 109s were forced to abandon the bombers due to low fuel, the attack was turned aside. Bombers scattered their load over the English countryside to lighten their aircraft for the dash home.

Amongst the fighting of the early afternoon, Olive managed to panic a flock of Me 110s. Patrolling near Manston, Olive’s B Flight of 65 Squadron corralled the machines into a ‘defensive circle’ of about thirty aircraft:

I remained approximately 3000 feet above this mass, awaiting a chance to attack at the first opportunity. It then occurred to me that by remaining in a threatening position I could keep this formation circling indefinitely, thus detaching them from their escort duties. I remained ... [here] for some 20 minutes and when the fighters tried to break up and fly East, I immediately attacked the rear and shot one Me 110 down in flames...[15]

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