04.04.2009, 04:11
12:00 hrs, 7th September 1941, Vayenga Airfield.
The mist had persisted evn at midday. Nonetheless another patrol was caused for and we orbited the local area.
We heard the agitated radio traffic. I don't speak Russian, but that's someone in trouble. So we fly west and find the combat taking place at low level, well below us, marked by a solitary smoke trail. Wyatt has already led his wingman in, and I dive down toward the tiny aircraft heading east. As we quickly close on them we confirm they're German. I attack the rear one and he rolls out of the way very smartly indeed.
Flying past him I go after the enemy flight leader, but he's seen me and uses his speed to get away. Another 109 is closing on me fast. I see him in the mirror and barrel-roll for all I'm worth. By good fortune he misses me. Making a climbing turn to the right I try to spot a likely target. There's one, two o'clock low. Dow I go, diving after him, and I let loose a good burst at him. He starts leaving a trail and high tails it out of there. There's no way I can keep up with him.
The Messerschmitts seem to want to leave now. If I could catch them I would, but we're distracted by a number of bombers at six or seven thousand feet flying over us the other way. I tell the men to attack the bombers. These Junkers 88's aren't hanging around either, and it takes a while to catch them. I get there first, levelling off beside their formation as they make half-hearted attempts to fire at me. Turn right across their rear and fire at one... Got him, but he flies on. I continue drifting across and attack another as their formation breaks up, each bomber starting to turn in random directions.
Having chosen my quarry I go after him and fire again and again. I can see I've hit him but my ammunition runs out so it's time to head for home. Where's number three? Wyatt never made it. A 109 had made short work of him.
My wingman, MacDonald, got himself promoted to Pilot Officer today. Four 109's went down of which two were mine, the others by Ivanovs flight. I was credited with one Ju-88 that belly landed short of their lines.
The mood is one of frustration. I've been told that the reason the British haven't been sent into action is that the bridge at Ura Guba needs to be secured. Can't we just send our lads down the coast? I heard the Russians did that just after the invasion started. Officially, I've been told that 'Ours is not to reason why'.
The mist had persisted evn at midday. Nonetheless another patrol was caused for and we orbited the local area.
We heard the agitated radio traffic. I don't speak Russian, but that's someone in trouble. So we fly west and find the combat taking place at low level, well below us, marked by a solitary smoke trail. Wyatt has already led his wingman in, and I dive down toward the tiny aircraft heading east. As we quickly close on them we confirm they're German. I attack the rear one and he rolls out of the way very smartly indeed.
Flying past him I go after the enemy flight leader, but he's seen me and uses his speed to get away. Another 109 is closing on me fast. I see him in the mirror and barrel-roll for all I'm worth. By good fortune he misses me. Making a climbing turn to the right I try to spot a likely target. There's one, two o'clock low. Dow I go, diving after him, and I let loose a good burst at him. He starts leaving a trail and high tails it out of there. There's no way I can keep up with him.
The Messerschmitts seem to want to leave now. If I could catch them I would, but we're distracted by a number of bombers at six or seven thousand feet flying over us the other way. I tell the men to attack the bombers. These Junkers 88's aren't hanging around either, and it takes a while to catch them. I get there first, levelling off beside their formation as they make half-hearted attempts to fire at me. Turn right across their rear and fire at one... Got him, but he flies on. I continue drifting across and attack another as their formation breaks up, each bomber starting to turn in random directions.
Having chosen my quarry I go after him and fire again and again. I can see I've hit him but my ammunition runs out so it's time to head for home. Where's number three? Wyatt never made it. A 109 had made short work of him.
My wingman, MacDonald, got himself promoted to Pilot Officer today. Four 109's went down of which two were mine, the others by Ivanovs flight. I was credited with one Ju-88 that belly landed short of their lines.
The mood is one of frustration. I've been told that the reason the British haven't been sent into action is that the bridge at Ura Guba needs to be secured. Can't we just send our lads down the coast? I heard the Russians did that just after the invasion started. Officially, I've been told that 'Ours is not to reason why'.