92 Squadron: Phew, what a scorcher

Monday August 12th, 1940

The Bf109 and 110 formation was flying directly for Dover, then, as soon as they flew over the coast they suddenly turned and immediately attacked the tall towers of the radar installations. In a swift and precise move Dover CH was damaged and put off the air.....

Epro 210 squadron attacking Manston

1325hrs: The airfield at Manston was the first to be hit. Rubensdoerffer's Erpro210 was back again after the earlier damage it had done to Dover and Dunkirk radar stations. This time dropping bombs and machine gunning the satellite airfield just as 65 Squadron (Spitfires) were taking off on a routine patrol....

Things started off quite gently last night, having got airborne at Hawkinge to intercept the initial group of raiders that were out to destroy the chain home radar sites.

Forming up at Hawkinge

Patrolling down to Pevensey, we didn't see any sign of the raiders so headed back up the coast towards Dover.

Slipping through the net

Re-assurances from the in game ground control told us that the enemy was still about, then I spotted a small group coming in low over the Dover harbour. Within minutes there was Messerschmitt 110's all over the place. A quick couple of bursts and I had one streaming fuel and oil. More 110's were joining in, with no sign of 54 Squadron Hurricanes who were detailed to help out.

It was a hectic 10 minutes and I don't recollect much of it aside from firing at targets and watching my six.

Heading back to Hawkinge with WB we approached and with all the excitement I forgot the two stage undercarriage lever in the Hurricane.

Undercarriage lever a bit sticky, sir?

A quick transfer to Manston as trouble was brewing across the channel. We all jumped in our aircraft and were taxying out when the first bombs fell.

Don't just sit there, get one up!!

Climbing out with Brigstock, trying to gain altitude and looking for the bandits was proving difficult. Osprey and Splash both called that they were over the base a lot higher than us. Circling round, Osprey then informed us that 109's were diving on us.

Turning round, I could see four 109's screaming in and broke left. I lost one of my elevators, but was still able to maneuver. Osprey and Splash were now airborne and joining the fight, along with 65 Squadron who were hitting the 110's.

He wont make it back

The next few minutes were a combination of breaking out of the way and trying to catch the 109's on their zoom climbs. Splash, Osprey and Brigstock all managed to bag a 109. In the end I had to land as another 109 pass took out my port machine guns.

Before they had chance to land, Splash called out a large formation was approaching Manston from the sea.

Bandits - 11'oclock high

For an age it felt like I was the only one who couldn't see them, then finally I spotted two flights of Dorniers at around 13,000ft. As they turned I could see another formation of Dorniers co-alt behind me, so decided to turn and take them head on. It was a bit of a shock to find they were 110's as the bullets started whizzing by my head.

Taking out another 110, I headed back for base, or what was left of it.