Dungeness to Dover

On July 31st, the day dawned as a typical summers day with clear skies and higher temperatures and even a number of people braved the consequences and a number of seaside resorts reported bathers on many of their beaches.

Morning combat was over the Channel at 1100hrs, when Ju87's attacked small convoys.

At 1530hrs, a formation was detected off the coast off Dover. Fighter Command despatched 74 Squadron Hornchurch (Spitfires) to intercept. The raiders turned out to be a small formation of Bf109's and a dogfight ensued over the Dover area.....

Patrolling over the Convoy off Dungeness

 We had a few dramas taking off at Biggin, but eventually headed out to rendevous over the convoy as it made its slooooooow progress to Dover.

Having missed the dramas at Biggin, Splash had taken a quick trip down to Tangmere and then re-surfaced at Hawkinge. Having got airborne and over the Convoy, he fended off a number of Stukas, with the cavalry just arriving in time to chase them back to France.

Stukas en-route for the convoy

Whilst Splash re-armed, the rest of us, in Hurricanes, patrolled the skies up and down the coast. It wasn't long before the next wave of Stukas came in, this time from the east. With a number of us at the right altitude, the Stukas were harrassed on their way in to the convoy and for most of the way back across the channel. I was hit in the engine and made a forced landing at Lympne.

Having landed and re-armed it went quiet for a time, then Brigstock and Splash spotted a large formation of contacts heading in at altitude. Confidently heading right into the middle of the formation, they quickly realised they weren't Stukas. :)

I hope you've made your will

The formation had an initial tangle, then headed east. Smelling blood, they came back to finish the job on Splash. (note: The "follow" command seems to work in the FMB) Swoop and I called out to assist and headed for Dover.

Splash was being hassled by at least 8 109's down low over the harbour. We got stuck in and did the best we could. I dont think I saw any aicraft shot down, but it was enought to, allow him to escape.

Almost there....

We headed back to Hawkinge having successfully protected the convoy for two hours.

Get the kettle on.

Most of us landed safely, with Brigstock planting the obligatory EAF Spitfire tree.

Brigstock's EAF Spitfire tree

Cappe did his best to demolish a hanger with an hilarious low fly-by and break..... straight into the side of it. We'll send the bill for the refit of the hanger to the 51 mess. :) Apollo then flew his best airshow routine and we couldn't get him to land.

A good nights flying.

Scores on the doors