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26th February 1943
Another days patrolling to counter the threat of the Luftwaffe 'Tip and Run' raids.
From the diary of F/Sgt Bob Walling: Feb 26th. Joe Atkinson shot down one Fw190 – Johnnie Wells very peeved about it as he considered that it should have been his Jerry. However, Joe in ‘A’ had the faster aircraft and beat Johnnie to the Hun.
From the Form 540, Operational Records Book: Feb 26th. 3 sections are off by 0818, and F/Lt Atkinson, amidst general acclaim, brings the months E/A destroyed to 7, thus equalling Jan's score. Airborne 0835-0913, they are over Deal, on standing patrol, when Swingate reports 2 E/A 15 miles east, first at 2000, then 10000 ft. Section climbs to 12000 ft and sights them 2000 ft above, going south. E/A go into a dive and the usual chase begins. On reaching sea level, Atkinson is about a mile behind and 6 miles S of Dover, and they lose the E/A in haze. They see them again however, and after confirming that they are not F/Lt Wells' section coming from the Dungeness patrol, they turn sharply after them, F/O Roberts gaining 150 yds, being on the inside, bringing him 400 yds behind E/A. He opens fire at this range and closed to 300 yds as E/A weaved. He fires again and observes strikes, and finishes his ammo as E/A climbs up over the French coast. Atkinson also opens at 400 yds, on the other E/A. After seeing strikes, E/A pulls up emitting black smoke. Joe follows, continuing to fire and gaining rapidly. E/A turns on its back in flames, and is seen to go in by F/Lt Wells. The latter has also been in the chase, and has even fired a few rounds (he was a bit surprised to see Atkinson draw ahead of him, thanks partly to his stream-lined cannon fairings). Some bursts of heavy Flak are encountered 2 miles of Boulogne, but do not appear to have been nearer to anyone than 400 yds. Enemy Casualties: 1 Fw 190 destroyed (F/Lt Atkinson) 1 Fw 190 damaged (F/O Roberts) Our " Nil. Double patrols thereafter continue, the days total reaching 14.
The Combat Report MANSTON F/Lt
Atkinson. F/Lt.
Wells. F/O.
Roberts. (A).
26.2.1943 (B).
609. C.
Typhoons. 1B. (D).
0850 approx. (E).
Mid Channel to Boulogne (F).
Haze to 2000ft. 9/10ths cloud just W. of Boulogne. (G).
Nil (H).
Nil (J).
1 Fw190 destroyed – 1 Damaged.
GENERAL
REPORT. Red
Section took off, 0835 on standing patrol, North – South Foreland. Over Deal
they heard Swingate informing Blue Section (who they were relieving) of 2
bandits 15mls E of Deal, flying N. at 2000ft. Red 1 (F/Lt Atkinson) replied that
his section would deal with it. E/A were then reported at 10,000ft flying East
but as Red Section climbed into the sun E/A were reported to be at 16,000ft and
flying W. Section turned, still climbing and at 12,000ft Atkinson sighted 2 a/c
2,000ft above, flying S and 2 mls to the W. With Red 2 (F/O Roberts) he followed
as the a/c went into a dive emitting boost smoke. Atkinson was about a mile
behind when the 2 a/c reached sea level about 6 mls S. of Dover, flying W. and
were lost in the sea haze. 2 Fw190’s were then seen approaching at zero feet
from the NW. Section turned sharply after them and Roberts, being on the inside
– ahead of Atkinson – opened fire from 400 yds on the port 190 but his fire
fell short. The 190 then weaved twice enabling Roberts to close and from 300yds
dead astern he saw strikes on the port fuselage. The 190 then climbed away.
F/Lt. Atkinson had opened fire on the starboards 190, from 400 yds and saw
strikes on the fuselage followed by black smoke as Atkinson continued firing and
flames shot out from behind the cockpit. The 190 turned on its back as Atkinson
broke away and was seen by Black 1 to crash into the sea. Black Section, off at
0818, was in time to join the chase and F/Lt Wells (Black 1) was seen by
Atkinson to be flying to starboard and slightly ahead. Though Wells fired a few
rounds, at 400 yds from quarter, after the 190 had started to climb, Atkinson
had overtaken him and Wells made no claim to have shared in the kill. NOTE.
The importance of a few extra M.P.H. was stressed in this chase. Though Atkinson
probably had slight advantage owing to his original dive, both as regards E/A,
and Wells, he did not have this advantage over Roberts, who started ahead of
him. His extra relative speed can be attributed to the fact that his Typhoon was
the one with cannon fairings, and to the fact that Robert’s Typhoon had long
exhausts. FLAK.
Some bursts of heavy flak were encountered about 2 miles W. of Boulogne, below
one Typhoon and above another, but does not appear to have been nearer to either
than 400 yds. Flt.Lt
Atkinson used 560 rounds with no stoppages.
1 Fw190 Destroyed. F/O.
Roberts used 560 rounds with no stoppages.
1 Fw190 Damaged Flt.Lt
Wells used 60 rounds with no stoppages. NB. S.A.P.I. used by F/Lt Atkinson and F/O Roberts.
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