An afternoon on the south coast

Tuesday August 13th, 1940

1530hrs: The large formation is now on radar just out from the Dorset coast and was approaching to the west of the Isle of Wight. It seemed as if this was to be a massive attack, and the German formations were heading in the direction of Portsmouth and Southampton. As predicted, the formations were now broken into groups, and consisted of 120 plus Ju88s from KG 54 and LG 1, these were escorted by 40 plus Bf109s from V/LG 1 that were coming in from the western end of the Channel. To the east came 77 Ju 87s from II/StG 2 and StG 77 and were escorted by 50 plus Bf109s from JG 27. Flying slightly ahead of the bomber formations were 35 Bf109s of II/JG 53. This was a total of about 450 German aircraft that was approaching the English coast.



KG 54 Ju 88's over the Isle of Wight

Being slightly down on numbers for one of the biggest raids thus far isn't exactly the ideal way to start, but with the Warmwell Spits of 152 Squadron and Exeter Spits of 238 Squadron it wasn't as bad as the three of us first thought.

Taking off from Tangmere as 601 Squadron, Brigs and I did a nice pairs take off and circled the base waiting for WB to get airborne in the late afternoon sunshine.



Circling the base

We climbed as hard to intercept the incoming contacts that were heading towards Southampton.

These few moments before the chaos starts are great, straining to see into the haze knowing that a large enemy force is approaching cranks up the immersion. WB saw them first.

Flying alongside the formation

Around 90 Ju88's with escort were heading north to Southampton. They were already over the Solent and heading up the Hamble river.

Starting in to the rear of the formation, we tried to find isolated groups. Almost immediately I picked up some engine damage and headed for the nearest airfield which was Hamble.

Approaching Hamble, with the docks burning

In the meantime, WB and Brigstock got stuck in as the formation carried on northwards. It soon became apparent that the docks were not the only target as the formation swung NW heading for Andover airfield. (In WW2 - the Luftwaffe mistook Andover airfield for Middle Wallop)

The Spits from Warmwell were dealing with the escort fighters, leaving the Hurricanes free to harass the bombers.


WB and Brigstock were still in touch with the main formation which was now NW of Winchester. Brigstock was now also Winchester himself and headed off for a landing to re-arm and get airborne again. I jumped in another Hurricane at Lee on Solent and headed NW for Andover.

Re-acquiring the returning formation just north of the Hamble river which was now spread out across several miles, I made several attacks damaging several aircraft which wouldn't make it back.

A heart stopping moment as a formation of fighters whizzed over my canopy, initially I thought they were 109's, but turned out to be a flight of Hurricanes from Middle Wallop who were also attacking the formation.



Bombers and the Needles in my sights

Brigstock and WB had now re-acquired the formation as it headed out over the Needles and began picking off stragglers.

Having now run out of ammunition, I headed back for Tangmere. I was shocked at how quickly the time had gone, 90 minutes had passed when I touched down. I didn't expect the mission to take as long as that, as it was getting late, we've left the second mission for Aug 13th part 3.

Brigstock and WB back at base

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