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8th August 1940
From the Diary of F/Sgt 'Tich' Cloves 8th Aug. The squadron again in action against the enemy which was attacking a convoy in the Channel. Four enemy shot down without loss. Sqn Ldr Darley (our new CO) in R6979 shot down Me110, Flt Lt Macarthur in R6977 a Junkers 87, Plt Off Appleby in P9322 and Plt Off Curchin in R6699 a Me110. Both R6979 and P9322 had a couple of bullet holes but no vital parts damaged. Plt Off Overton in L1082 had to force land at Christchurch due to lack of air pressure. This was soon fixed and he returned to base.
Combat
Report of S/Ldr H.S. 'George' Darley B
Flight were ordered to patrol PEWIT at 10000ft. After taking off I climbed
through cloud from 1 - 4000 ft., and after climbing to 7000 ft I could not see
the objective owing to a lyare of cloud at 4000 ft. I informed controller and
went below cloud to 3500 ft north of the convoy. I then saw a balloon coming
down in flames and turned towards convoy. Saw E/A diving on convoy and as I
approached 5 ME. 110's had just finished a dive and were climbing up below us
and in the opposite direction. I gave the order to attack independently and
turned right about and dived down on the ME.110's and after that I lost contact
with the remainder of my flight. I was not in a good position for the ME.110's
so I climbed up again and saw one ME.110 a mile ahead, hedaing due south. I flew
in and out of the clouds and then dived down and opened fire in one half second
burst at 250 yds. and another ¾ second burst, closing in to 75 yds. As I turned
away I saw the Me. A/C bank steeply to port, then broke away to right and turned
back left and saw the E/A hitting the sea. My
attack was a quarter attack aiming at starboard engine and pilots cabin. Return
fire at first from rear gunner. I then circled the neighbourhood and made a full
deflection attack on an Me.110 at 200 yds with no apparent result, and also did
a head-on attack on a Ju87 at 200 yds giving half second bursts in each case. No
apparent result. I also attacked another Ju87 coming straight towards me 300 ft
above me. I gave an extremely short burst; again without apparent result. I
again circled the vicinity and I saw one single seater A/C. The target A/C burst
into flames took half roll, and went straight into the sea. Also saw a parachute
coming down into sea about 10 miles sth. of convoy. Positon reported to Bandy.
Most of my action was spent 5 - 10 miles south of convoy where there was a clear
patch of sky. As I could no longer see any more E/A in my neighbourhood I
returned to base. Rounds:
Fired 130 rounds each gun. Ranges:
Maximum 250 yards. Minimum 75 Yards. Signed H S Darley S/L |
Copyright © 2002 609 (West Riding)
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