26.03.2009, 05:54
12:00 hrs, 28th August 1941, Vayenga Airfield.
Reinforcements are expected. The carrier HMS Argus was out at sea with another load of Hurricane IIb's, these ones intended as lend-lease for the Russians. The RAF pilots flying them in would be training their intended Russian owners at the same time as any operational duties.
My own reinforcements came back late in the morning. Benson and Davids, looking suitably bedraggled, were hauled into the squadron office. Davids was soon declared innocent and dismissed. Benson gritted his teeth and got the reprimand he expected. It was careless flying and nearly cost the lives of two valuable pilots, not to mention risking two others for operational reasons
The new Hurricanes began arriving much the same time. I wasn't suprised to see how beat up these airframes were. The Russians were getting our military surplus to all intents and purposes.
Our Adjutant ran up and handed a communique reporting Heinkel bombers heading east. I shouted for everyone to get airborne. Those newly arrived Hurricanes hadn't the fuel reserve to help - they might not even be armed - so it was down to us again.
Not far from the front line, we spot the enemy bombers. We went in. I fired a burst and debris came off it. A Hurricane came up from my left side and flashed past the cockpit. I felt my aeroplane shudder. That was close! Who was that? It was Benson, missing his right tailplane. I can't believe he collided twice in two missions! His Hurricane flew unsteadily and was lost to sight.
![[Image: b56e784fb05ec301ed80ee306ff631136g.jpg]](http://www3.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/b56e784fb05ec301ed80ee306ff631136g.jpg)
Stephens claimed two of the bombers. Davids got the other as his second kill. I saw that ahead of me. The heinkel 111 exploded in a brilliant ball of flame.. With the bombers shot down, I led the flight west on a nuisance raid. Over the radio I heard Benson make a last call. He was crash landing inside enemy territory. I heard nothing more.
At Petsamo Airfield, we found the Germans and I ordered an attack. We swooped across their field and I could see the Luftwaffe aircraft parked on the grass. I tried to strafe them but didn't get the result. I latched onto a Bf109 circling the field and fired two long bursts. He trailed smoke, flying on as if he hoped to land before I fired again. Fate intervened and gave him the chance. My ammunition had run out. Nonetheless he struggled to stay airborne and I saw him plough into the ground as he attempted to turn in for a landing.
The flak claimed Stephens. His plane got shot up and there was nothing he could do but bail out. I hope the Germans treat him well.
Davids was turning back to make another run. The German flak was waking up by this time so I called him to heel. He seemed hesitant and a couple of times I reminded him that he was over enemy territory as we flew home.
Reinforcements are expected. The carrier HMS Argus was out at sea with another load of Hurricane IIb's, these ones intended as lend-lease for the Russians. The RAF pilots flying them in would be training their intended Russian owners at the same time as any operational duties.
My own reinforcements came back late in the morning. Benson and Davids, looking suitably bedraggled, were hauled into the squadron office. Davids was soon declared innocent and dismissed. Benson gritted his teeth and got the reprimand he expected. It was careless flying and nearly cost the lives of two valuable pilots, not to mention risking two others for operational reasons
The new Hurricanes began arriving much the same time. I wasn't suprised to see how beat up these airframes were. The Russians were getting our military surplus to all intents and purposes.
Our Adjutant ran up and handed a communique reporting Heinkel bombers heading east. I shouted for everyone to get airborne. Those newly arrived Hurricanes hadn't the fuel reserve to help - they might not even be armed - so it was down to us again.
Not far from the front line, we spot the enemy bombers. We went in. I fired a burst and debris came off it. A Hurricane came up from my left side and flashed past the cockpit. I felt my aeroplane shudder. That was close! Who was that? It was Benson, missing his right tailplane. I can't believe he collided twice in two missions! His Hurricane flew unsteadily and was lost to sight.
Stephens claimed two of the bombers. Davids got the other as his second kill. I saw that ahead of me. The heinkel 111 exploded in a brilliant ball of flame.. With the bombers shot down, I led the flight west on a nuisance raid. Over the radio I heard Benson make a last call. He was crash landing inside enemy territory. I heard nothing more.
At Petsamo Airfield, we found the Germans and I ordered an attack. We swooped across their field and I could see the Luftwaffe aircraft parked on the grass. I tried to strafe them but didn't get the result. I latched onto a Bf109 circling the field and fired two long bursts. He trailed smoke, flying on as if he hoped to land before I fired again. Fate intervened and gave him the chance. My ammunition had run out. Nonetheless he struggled to stay airborne and I saw him plough into the ground as he attempted to turn in for a landing.
The flak claimed Stephens. His plane got shot up and there was nothing he could do but bail out. I hope the Germans treat him well.
Davids was turning back to make another run. The German flak was waking up by this time so I called him to heel. He seemed hesitant and a couple of times I reminded him that he was over enemy territory as we flew home.