Flight F consisted of me (Brooke), HB555, Vladd, GaB, 715B, Taiaha, StrayDog, and 56tk421. I was assigned to coordinate the Spitfires up from the carriers.
We took off from the carriers, climbed, and headed toward Malta. Along the way, we did run into some enemies here and there (some 109's and some C.202's). Spits that were not engaged were instructed to keep heading to Malta. If there were flights that had some members engaged, they were clear to engage as a flight but to head to Malta if they could avoid the fight. I think most of us got to Malta, but I'm not sure about Ramzey's Flight E. At one point Roscoroo's Flight B was almost chased down by 109's, but they were able to continue to Malta and the 109's eventually broke off.
By the time we got to Malta, we were clear, and we went down, landed, and refueled. A few folks damaged their planes in landing, but those will be repaired for next frame.
Flight F took off and climbed NW. We then did a picket line back and forth (flying E then W) about a sector north of Malta, finding no Ju 88's. At one point, over Sicily, we ran into small groups of 109's, usually they were at about 35k. We engaged them tentatively. Vladd got a kill here. When we were clear, we continued to scout for Ju 88's. 56tk got chased around by a C.202 at one point away from the rest of the group, but I think he was able to shoot it down.
Some other flights scouted around in various sectors around Malta. I asked Heater's Flight C and Roscoroo's Flight B to scout SE and S respectively, but as they did that for a while and there still were not bombers around, I released them to scout as they saw best.
We countinued to scout around some, finding no bombers. I turned Flight F north to go up column 10. A ways north, we got the call that there might not be any Ju 88's coming and to head back to Malta. Around that time, we came across a lone 109, which we engaged, and I ended up shooting him down after a prolonged chase. Then we headed south to go back to Malta. About that time, we came across another lone 109, which Taiaha and GaB, I think, engaged. Also about that time a high C.202 showed up and went after StrayDog. I called for all of us to head to Taiaha and GaB and fight near them, which we did. The C.202 moved off, and I could see more dots coming in, so I asked for folks to disengage and run for Malta. More 109's came in. I made a run on one trying to reel in Taiaha as he was running, but then even more very high enemies showed up, 109's and at least one C.202. Some of Flight F was clear, but GaB was not. I called that I was turning back, but I figured those who turned back would be dead, as there were 8 or so enemies with lots and lots of altitude to our Spits on the deck, and more high dots showing up. Initially it was all of those on a few of us. I think a couple more of Flight F joined the fight soon afterwards. I called for help on the radio (country channel) and gave our position.
I dove in and just stayed evasive, looking to see if folks could break off, looking for opportunities to break enemies off people's tails. I soon had a large contengent on my tail and ran for it, dragging 3 109's and 1 C.202 out away from the rest of the action. They stayed 400-1000 yards behind me as I went to WEP, dove to the deck, and jinked. Even 109E-4's were staying with me because they started with so much more altitude. Still, they were able to get only to 400 yards and then started very slowing to fall back, but they all stayed on me for a long time. They were all firing at me, but I was jinking and avoiding most hits. I got hit a little, but only with MG and not much of it. Eventually, after what seemed like a sector of pursuit, one by one, the 109's broke off, but the C.202 stayed with me. I tried dropping out of WEP, but then he stared to close, so I went back on WEP. I was heading west -- not in direction of Malta. That's just the way it worked out. My fuel was so low, I knew I wasn't going to make it back.
Finally, with a little fuel left, I pulled a hard high yo yo followed by an Immelmann followed by a flat stall turn at the top. The C.202 didn't get any hits on me, didn't follow my maneuver, and I was able to come around and get on his tail. I was reeling him in, but then my engine quit -- out of fuel. I got him into my sights at about 400 yards and shot at him, but didn't hit, and he rapidly moved away, trying to disengage. I levelled out and ditched in the water. Damn -- I didn't make it back.
After I was down, I could hear that at least some of the guys back at the original fight were still up and fighting it out. Taiaha and 56tk were able to live through it and make it back to Malta -- excellent work.
In the end, it appears that Vladd got a 109, 56tk got a 109 and a C.202, Taiaha got 2 109's, and I got a 109. Vladd, HB555, Taiaha, 56tk, and 715B made it back to land, so we saved 5 of 8 Spitfires. I wish I could have been one of them!
-- Brooke, GL, RAF Flight F
by Brooke P. Anderson
e-mail: brooke@electraforge.com
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