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warshipbuilder -> RE: Action This Day (4/20/2020 5:19:18 AM)
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1 Sqn 20.4.40:
The first day of our return to our old haunts we encountered enemy aircraft over Metz frontier a H.E.111 escorted by two M.E.109s and an H.E.112 was attacked by F/Lt HANKS, P/O MOULD, Sgts BERRY and ALBONICO, near CHARNAY at 23,000 feet. In the incident that followed the H.E.111 was shot down by F/Lt HANKS and landed within our lines. One M.E.109 was shot down by BERRY, ALBONICO also claimed a 109. The 112 was attacked by P/O MOULD and was last seen diving steeply for Germany with black smoke pouring from it. Sgt BERRY who saw the H.E.112 fire from the front view states that it bore Wing Armament placed much the same as our Spitfire and may have been six or eight guns. This was the first H.E.112 ever engaged in this war on the Western Front.
At the same time another of our patrols led by F/Lt WALKER consisting of F.O.'s BROWN, DRAKE and STRATTON met 9 M.E.109's. F/Lt. Walker got one 109 which crashed in our own lines, F.O. BROWN brought down another which crashed behind it's own lines. F.O. DRAKE flying up to attack three M.E.'s, two of which he fired on in succession, one he saw go down out of control and the other which he attacked he followed to ground level and chased it into Germany and saw it crash in to a hill. DRAKE kept up to the M.E. quite easily at ground level using about 8 lbs. boost. At 09.45 hours F.O. KILMARTIN took off after a high flying aircraft which passed over our aerodrome emitting smoke trails and caught it up somewhere's between CHALON and REIMS at 16,000 feet. The enemy pilot then sighted the pursuing fighter and started losing height and it was some time before he finally got in range of enemy. By this time both aircraft were very near ground and enemy used skidding turns to throw off his pursuer, but as he did this he made it much easier for KILMARTIN to stay in range, as enemy flew straight and level. All this time enemy rear gunner was firing at our aircraft and one bullet entered the cylinder block(port) of KILMARTIN's engine and he was forced to land. The enemy came down some time later forced to land from the effects of KILMARTIN's fire. It turned out to be a JUNKERS 88, hence it's superior speed(see combat report attached). All the original pilots who were with the Squadron when it came to France last September with one or two exceptions have had combats with the enemy. It is most commendable how the Squadron has worked so well and made it a Squadron "SHOW" without any publicized individuality.
First and Last Operational Missions
99 Sqn(Newmarket) flies its last mission in the Wellington IA
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