by Brooke, I/JG26
Engaged lots of high Hurricanes in 10,9,7. Odd and Brooke got back to France, refueled, and escorted others in Ju87's. While heading N, spotted British carrier group and got attacked by a group of Hurricanes in 12,10,5 or so. All I/JG26 shot down, although some survived.
I/JG26 consisted of VolsCAF as FL, OddCAF as 2nd in command, 102jish, Schaden, Tblayde, TBolt, and Brooke.
We took off from A45 and headed SW at very low altitude to stay under radar. After a bit, we headed W to hook up with the bombers, then N/NW toward England. We climbed up to 22k, and grouped ourselves so that we'd look like a few bombers (close together) escorted by a few fighters.
We ran into a high Hurricane in 10,9,5, and one or two of I/JG26 chased him down and away. The rest of us circled until the Hurri was chased off, waited a bit for the chaser to get back near us, then continued NW. Very soon though, in 10,9,7, we ran into about 15 Hurricanes, all at least a couple k higher than we were. We went to full throttle and 2400 rpm.
We engaged, and a big fight ensued. I don't think all 15 Hurris engaged us, but probably 10 did. I was mostly near OddCAF in the fight. I got some shots here and there, but didn't land much and didn't get any kills. After a while of fighting, we lost some pilots of I/JG26, and a while after that, started to run low on fuel. I radioed to Odd that I needed to think about bugging out, and he did, too. I exited to the south at about 10k alt. Odd exited south, too, and was about 5 miles behind me.
I headed back toward A38 initially, then got word that the rest of I/JG26 would be upping in Ju87's from A45. So, we'd be rendezvousing with them further E. I had enough fuel on 2200 rpm and 33" manifold to get further E before refueling, so I headed to A37. I landed and refueled. On the way in, I came into radio contact with another group that had bombed their target very well and lost only one plane.
I took off from A37, then heard that we were to rendezvous back W, so I headed back to A38. Knowing that we'd be far in front of the Ju87's if they were headed W, I landed again to top off the tanks. Odd joined me, and we waited there for a while to get the order on where to rendezvous.
Odd and I took off from A38 and ended up headed NE to rendezvous with the Ju87's who got the order to take a more direct rout to port facilities, which was good, because the original target for them probably would have been outside of time limits.
Odd and I hooked up with the Ju87's in 12,9 and then proceeded N/NW. The Ju87's were at 10k, and Odd and I were at about 15k.
In 12,10,5, the Ju87's spotted a British carrier group! 1 carrier and 3 destroyers headed W. Everyone called it out, and the Ju87's got the order to hit the CV. About that time I saw a Hurricane diving in. I called out a warning to the Ju87's and dove in to break some off their tails. As I dove on that one, more Hurris showed up diving in, about 8 in total. They had alt on us and plenty of speed. Another furball ensued. I fought for a little while, not getting any good shots or hits. After a little while it was 8 Hurris on 2 109's and 2 Ju87's. I took a burst from one Hurri and started spraying oil. Damn. I figured I wouldn't make it to land anyway, so I mixed it up more, and after a bit Vols came on the radio to say all the Ju87's were down. So it was me and Odd, and Odd called in to say his oil was hit, too. I tried to exit the fight, but there were a fair number of Hurri's with enough angles and speed to make it tough. As I was trying to exit, I either took another hit or my oil finally gave out on its own, and my engine lost power. I dove down toward the deck, jinking, pulling a couple Hurris down with me, and bailed out at about 2k.
I landed in the water and requested a pick up. Edbert was close enough and was able within a short amount of time to come get me. Thanks, Edbert!
Summary for me: 2 missions, lots of Hurricanes, no kills, bailed out in the drink, and got saved by Edbert in his PT boat.