[caldrail]

08:00 hrs, 1st September 1941, Vayenga Airfield

Wyatt, Darnell, and myself disembarked from the lorry at the gate of Vayenga Airfield. This had been, without doubt, one of the toughest days we'd had. Ordered to patrol Kilpyavr again, the day had begun with clear weather and wonderful sunshine.

The sky had filled with Luftwaffe. Heinkel 111's, Ju-88's, Stukka's - they all came over the horizon in large numbers. This was an all out attack by the Germans and they meant to put Kilpyavr out of action as an airbase once and for all.

The Russians were screaming for assistance. They had bombers in the air for a mission against the Timovka Bridge and all their fighters were grounded, mostly from air strikes. I took a deep breath before I ordered the flight to turn and intercept. Deep down I knew During was waiting for us.

There he was. This time however we had the advantage in height. We saw the Messerschmitts flying in three o'clock low to support the bombers and we needed to take them out before we could do any more. It was going to be all or nothing.

I called Wyatt to stay with me. I could see him following on in my mirror. We both dived down and gave chase to the 109's. I was close enough to spot the flight leader. It had to be During! With the throttle wide open I went after him. He soon saw me and began a climbing turn to the right. There was no way I was letting him go. He barrel-rolled and tried to lose me. Again I followed him, and winged over into a descending half loop as he pulled through. We were down on the deck, turning hard.

It was difficult to gain on him. At once he pulled up vertical and for a moment I thought I was going to get my chance, but the Hurricane simply hadn't the speed to stay with him. I stall turned out and went into a turn to find During before he found me. His 109 flashed past me - I could see him looking up at me.

Wyatt was in trouble! My wingman called for assistance. In a climbing turn I looked for Wyatt and tried to see if I could help. It was frustrating but I had no choice to let During escape this time. Then they got me. I don't know which Messerschmitt shot me down but it wasn't During. The Hurricane burst into flame. The heat was incredible! I felt the aeroplane shudder as the left wing snapped off and the flat spin that followed helped me no end, taking the smoke and flame away from the cockpit. I was out as soon as I could.



Kilpyavr was hit badly. The Russian fighter squadrons there were rendered toothless and the Pe-2 bombers took a pasting. By some miracle some managed to slip the net and Timovka Bridge was out of action again. Wyatt and Darnell were shot down too, joining me on the lorry home. Compton bought it.

Phelps met us at the gate. "Well played old chap."

I looked at him as if he was mad. "We got shot down and the Germans played merry hell with no-one to stop them. That's not a good result."

"No, I suppose not." Phelps replied thoughtfully, "But it's not all bad news. During bought it too. The Russian flak shot him to pieces. He tried to fly out and didn't make it. Don't suppose I could buy you a drink to celebrate, eh?"

I smiled. The Germans were well organised and experienced, but their star player was down. At that moment, it was the best news I could hear.