Tag: He 113

F/Lt. Deere encounters He 113s escorting bombers over the Thames Estuary

Wednesday 24th July 1940 12:25
Sector Serial No (A) D 2.
Serial No. of order detailing patrol (B)
Date (C) 24/7/40
Flight, Squadron (D) Flight A Squadron 54
No. of Enemy Aircraft (E) 42 (Approx.)
Type of Enemy Aircraft (F) Do.215 ME. 109
HE 113
Time Attack was delivered (G) 12.25
Place attack was delivered (H) Thames Estuary
Height of Enemy (J) 7,000 Feet
Enemy Casualties (K) Confirmed One Me109 destroyed identified
Three Me109s fired at
Our Casualties Aircraft (L) NIL
Personnel (M) NIL
Searchlights (N) (i) NIL
A.A. Guns Assistance (ii) NIL
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		 (P) Range Opened 350 Yards
Length of burst Various
Range closed 150 Yards
No. of Rounds per Gun 1331
General Report (R)
While patrolling Deal at 7,000 Feet a large formation of enemy bombers was observed flying up the Thames Estuary, behind and above Bombers were 3? ME 109's and further 12 above and in cloud. I told Blue leader to go for the first three and I would take my section above and after the nine above. At that moment nine HE. 113's came from behind and I saw them in time to avert being shot at. I managed to stall turn into their tails and fire a burst into the centre of the formation which broke up. 109's then came down from above and a Dog Fight ensued. I had general wild bursts at various aircraft, but was unable to get a decent bead because of constant attacks from behind. I managed however one decent long burst at a 109 at close range and he went down with glycol pouring from his machine.
Rabbit Red Leader.
Sgd. A.C.Deere. F/Lt.
A C Deere

(AIR/50/21/105)

F/O McMullen attacked by He 113s over the Thames Estuary

12:25
Sector Serial No (A) D 2
Serial No. of order detailing patrol (B)
Date (C) 24/7/40
Flight, Squadron (D) 12 aircraft 54 Squadron
Number of Enemy Aircraft (E) Big Formation
Type of Enemy Aircraft (F) ME.109's HE.113's
Time Attack was delivered (G) 12.25
Place attack was delivered (H) Thames Estuary
Height of Enemy (J) 7,000 Feet
Enemy Casualties (K) Confirmed One ME. 109 destroyed unconfirmed
Unconfirmed 1 ME109 Probable
Our Casualties Aircraft (L) NIL
Personnel (M) NIL
Searchlights (N) (i) NIL
A.A. Guns Assistance (ii) NIL
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		 (P) Ranged opened 200 Yards.
Length of burst Various
Ranged closed 100 Yards
No. of Rounds per Gun 2057
General Report. (R) I was patrolling with Red Section as Red 2. Blue Leader reported Bombers to our North as we were over Deal. Whilst turning off to attack the fighters, 12-15 HE.113's came up alongside from our rear. We took evasive action and finished up behind them, at the same time a squadron at least of 109's appeared. I sprayed the enemy formation as did Red1. This proving very effective. The section broke and I went into cloud. When I came out I saw approximately 6,000 feet below two ME.109's in a tight V. I attacked from above and behind, and the leader went into the sea. I turned my fire on to No. 2. Large clouds of Black Smoke came out, and bits fell off, enemy aircraft staggered.

I then went home.

Sgd. D.A.P. McMullen F/O.
DAP. McMullen F/o.

(AIR/50/21/49)

501 Sqn. patrol from Hawkinge

Monday 12th August 1940 17:25

OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK of (Unit or Formation) No. 501 Squadron.

Place Date Time Summary of Events References to Appendices
Gravesend 1940 AUGUST
12.		 PM The Squadron (12 aircraft) took off from Hawkinge at 1725 hours and landed at 1840 hours. Pilot Officer Gibson landed at Hawkinge after shooting down a Me 109. The Squadron were unable to operate from Hawkinge owing to the damage caused by bombing by enemy Aircraft.
POSTINGS. Squadron Leader Holland was posted to 55 Squadron to command and ceased to be attached to 501 Squadron w.s.f [?] 15/8/40 - Auth. -No.11 Group.

P/O Gibson claims an He 113 destroyed over Lympne

17:35
Sector Serial No (A)
Serial No. of order detailing patrol (B)
Date (C) 12.8.40.
Flight, Squadron (D) Flight: "A" Sqdn.: 501
No. of Enemy Aircraft (E)
Type of Enemy Aircraft (F) HE. 113.
Time Attack was delivered (G) 17.35
Place attack was delivered (H) Lympne
Height of Enemy (J) 6'000,
Enemy Casualties (K) One. HE.113 (Confirmed) destroyed
Our Casualties Aircraft (L) 1 Hurricane forced landed
Personnel (M) See Below. Nil.
Searchlights: (Did they illuminate enemy if not, were they in front or behind?) (N.1) N/A
A.A. Guns: (Did shell bursts assist Pilot intercepting enemy?) (N.2)

N/A
Range at which fire was opened in in each attack delivered, together with estimated length of bursts. (P) Range opened. 400 - 100yds
Length of Burst. 2 Bursts of 4 seconds
Total No. of rounds fired 1300
Name of Pilot (Block Letters) J.A.A. Gibson.
General Report (R) See Over.
I was No.2. in Red Section when the Squadron was ordered off to Patrol Hawkinge. The enemy was sighted approaching Lympne from the South West. There were about 20 Machines and I think that they were Do. 17s. Behind[?] and above was a very strong formation of fighters. Looking behind our own Squadron I noticed that the rear sections and red section No.3. were not there. I afterwards learned that they had pursued some E/A that were below us. This left only the Squadron Leader any myself and we carried on traveling West climbing into the sun. As we were turning to the right to deliver the attack I noticed in the rear vision mirror an aircraft diving. I called to Red 1 about it and pulled away to the right and saw two Heinkel 113's on my tail. I dived into and got out of a cloud and found the two E/A behind me on the left. From this time on I did not see Red 1. I began steep turning to the right and finally managed to turn to the right inside and catch up one of the E/A. I gave him two burst and suddenly saw him turn over on his back and go down over the vertical. The other E/A had been circling above and came down as I got on the tail of the first. As I dived down following the first E/A I saw white tracer coming from behind. I Immediately dived into another cloud but could not find the other E/A when I emerged again I then returned to base.
Ja Gibson
Red 2 Red Section
501 Sqadron.

AIR/50/162/21

54 Sqn. engage raid over Dover and Hawkinge

Thursday 15th August 1940 11:18

OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK of (Unit or Formation) No. 54 Squadron.

Place Date Time Summary of Events References to Appendices
Hornchurch 1940
august
15th		 11.18 Large formations of Me 109.s scattered before the Squadron's approach over Dover; proceeding to HAWKINGE further He 113.s were met; their tactics of "milling" and "circling" did not bring our pilots into the trap set for them. Sgt. Lawrence showed his genuine hatred of the Ju 87 by shooting down three of them in flames before himself falling a victim to an enemy fighter. He had a fortunate escape when his machine crashed into the sea, taking him down with it. Rescued by the Navy he is now in Dover Hospital suffering from shock. Sgt. Klozensy, our other casualty, was showt down near Ashford, but is making progress in hospital there. For these losses we claim 4 enemy aircraft destroyed (including a new type (Ju 87) to our list) and three damaged. F/Lt. Deere claiming a Me 109 destroyed, F/O McMullen, F/Lt. Gribble, P/O Hopkin were responsible fr the damaged enemy aircraft.

F/O McMullen claims one He 113 damaged over Hawkinge

11:18
Sector Serial No (A) D.1
Serial No. of order detailing patrol (B)
Date (C) 15/8/40
Flight, Squadron (D) 12 aircraft 54 Squadron
Number of Enemy Aircraft (E) 130 approximately
Type of Enemy Aircraft (F) 40 Ju.87
50 He.113
40 Me.109
Time Attack was delivered (G) 1118 - 1215 hours
Place attack was delivered (H) Dover and Hawkinge
Height of Enemy (J) Fighters 19,000 feet
Bombers 7,000 "
Enemy Casualties (K) Destroyed -
Probable -
Damaged 1 He 113
Our Casualties Aircraft (L) NIL
Personnel (M) NIL
Searchlights (N) (i) N/a
A.A. Guns Assistance (ii) None
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		 (P) range opened )
Length of burst ) not known
Range closed )
No. of rounds fired )
F/O McMULLEN

The Squadron was ordered to engage the enemy aircraft in the Dover area. We climbed to 16,000 feet and saw a large number of ME 109's at that height. Before we could engage them, they turned tail and headed straight for Calais. We then were ordered to Hawkinge and when at 17,000 feet, encountered a number of HE 113's milling and circling - protecting dive bombers 10,000 feet below. I managed got get onto the tail of one of these and fired a short burst from about 250 yards range, I saw glycol pouring out, but since the enemy aircraft was at that height, he probably managed to get home.

DM McMullen F/o

(AIR/50/21/49)

F/Lt. Deere damages an He 113 over Hawkinge

11:18
Sector Serial No (A) D.1
Serial No. of order detailing patrol (B)
Date (C) 15/8/40
Flight, Squadron (D) 12 A/C 54 Sqn.
No. of Enemy Aircraft (E) 130 approx
Type of Enemy Aircraft (F) 40 Ju 87
50 He 113
40 Me 109
Time Attack was delivered (G) 1118 - 1215 hours
Place attack was delivered (H) Dover and Hawkinge
Height of Enemy (J) Fighters 19,000 Bombers 7,000
Enemy Casualties (K) Destroyed 1 Me.109
Probable Nil
Damaged 1 He.113
Our Casualties Aircraft (L) Nil
Personnel (M) Nil
Searchlights (N) (i) N/a
A.A. Guns Assistance (ii) None
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		 (P) Range Opened )
Length of burst ) see attached sheet
Range closed )
No. of rounds per gun fired 2720
General Report (R)
F/Lt. Deere

The squadron was ordered to engage enemy aircraft in the Dover area. We were at 16000 feet climbing when we met about 40 ME 109's off Dover. Immediately they sighted us they half rolled and streaked back to Calais in no formation at all.

I shot at two of these and succeeded (with a long range burst from astern - range 300 - 250 yds) in bringing it down in flames. I saw it dive from 17000 feet down to 1000 feet before I had to break away.

I then understood that Hawkinge was being bombed and proceeded there, climbing to 18000 feet where I encountered a number of HE 113's. These were circling about and obviously staying to protect bombers. I managed to get on the tail of one and had no difficulty in overtaking it. I got in a number of rounds from astern and must have damaged him badly as glycol was streaming out. I followed the enemy aircraft back to Calais at 18000 feet before returning. HE 113's has yellow roundels on the main plane upper surfaces.

A C Deere F/L

(AIR/50/21/105)

F/O McMullen claims one He 113 probable over Maidstone

18:26
Sector Serial No (A) D 2.
Serial No. of order detailing patrol (B)
Date (C) 15. 8. 40.
Flight, Squadron (D) 12 a/c 54 Squadron
Number of Enemy Aircraft (E) 60 (Approximately).
Type of Enemy Aircraft (F) 40 Do.17's.
He.113 ) Unknown No.
Me.109 )
Time Attack was delivered (G) 1826 - 1930
Place attack was delivered (H) Maidstone.
Height of Enemy (J) Bombers 18/19000. Fighters 13/25000.
Enemy Casualties (K) Destroyed. NIL.
Probable. 1 He.113.
Damaged. NIL.
Our Casualties Aircraft (L) NIL.
Personnel (M) NIL.
Searchlights (N) (i) N/A.
A.A. Guns Assistance (ii) NIL.
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		 (P) Range opened )
Length of burst ) See attached Sheet.
Range closed )
No. of rounds per gun 608.
F/O McMullen

We were ordered on patrol and given a vector straight away. The Squadron climbed to approximately 17000 feet and orbited. Yellow Section gave Tally-ho,. On looking in that direction I saw a large formation of bombers resembling DO 17's.

I was No. 2 to the C.O. We went into line astern and came round behind the DO 17s. Echelon left was then ordered and I found one He 113 in front of me. I closed range to about 250 - 300 yards astern and fired short bursts. Bits fell off this aircraft and he appeared to be going down out of control. I saw my fire bursting on him. I was then attacked myself and was forced to break off the engagement. I fired one short burst at one HE 113, which I think was the one which fired on me.
DM McMullen F/o

(AIR/50/21/49)

F/Lt. Deere D.F.C. claims He 113s

18:26
Sector Serial No (a) D2
Serial No. of order detailing patrol (b) --
Date (c) 15th August 1940
Flight, Squadron (d) 12 a/c 54 Squadron.
No. & type of Enemy Aircraft (f) 40 DO 17s
HE 113s numers unknown
ME 109
Time Attack was delivered (g) 1826-1930
Place attack was delivered (h) Maidstone.
Height of Enemy (j) Bombers 18/19,000 feet
Fighters 23/25,000 feet
Enemy Casualties (k) Destroyed 1 HE 113.
Probable 1 HE 113.
Damaged ----
Our Casualties Aircraft (l) ONE
Personnel (m) NIL.
Searchlights (n) (i) N/A
A.A. Guns Assistance (ii) NIL
Fire for Fighters (p) Range opened. See attached report.
Length of Burst
Rage closed
No. of rounds fired 2720
The Squadron was ordered to investigate enemy formations in the Maidstone area. I saw a large formation of enemy bombers heading towards London; and almost 50 fighters in front of them and about 4000 feet above. I warned the rest of the Squadron and climbed to engage the fighters - HE 113s at 19,000 feet. I managed to get in a short burst at one (200 yards range) before I had to break away. I then followed two HE 113s and after a very long chase (which I found later had taken me over France) caught up with them. This was at 17,000 feet and I had to use 12 boot. I fired at the first one from 300 yards; I do not think the enemy aircraft could have seen me, because it took no evasive action. My burst must have killed the pilot, because the machine went down into the sea , glycol and smoke poured from it - but I did not actually see it crash, although it stood little chance of getting back. The cloud was 10/10 all over the Channel and when I came through it, I found I was over Calais Marck Aerodrome. At the same moment, 5 HE 113s appeared from nowhere and chased me back over the Channel. They were very fast and must have been within range most of the time, as my instrument panel and hood were shot about and the machine probably sustained over damage. I was only 800 feet above the sea, when the enemy aircraft left me at Folkestone. I continued inland, but my engine stopped and the plane began to catch fire. I managed to gain a little height (up to 1500 feet) when I baled out. I just felt the jerk of my parachute openeing, when my fall was broken by some tall trees. My machine crashed 50 yards away from me. My only injury was a sprained writes. The HE 113s not only had yellow in the wing tips, but also on the top of the tail.
A C Deere F/Lt

(AIR/50/21/105)

54 Sqn. engage raid heading towards Hornchurch

18:28

OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK of (Unit or Formation) No. 54 Squadron.

Place Date Time Summary of Events References to Appendices
Hornchurch 1940
august
15th		 18.28 The second engagement was against large formations of Do 17s heading west towards HORNCHURCH aided by the usual escort fighters. The Squadron inflicted but little damage on the bombers, but their persistent efforts may well have preserved Hornchurch for yet another day. Two pilots force landed at West Malling just after it had been bombed. Our "bat" - 1 He 113 (F/Lt. Deere) and 1 Me 109 (F/Lt. Gribble) destroyed, and 2 He 113 (F/Lt. Deere and F/O McMullen) probable was gained for the loss of F/Lt. Deere's machine when he was shot down in Kent after a flight which had taken him (unwittingly) over Calais Marck!! He suffered only a sprained wrist after making a parachute jup at 1500 feet.
During the engagement we had the first genuine local air warning for many a long month. The Station's defences were fully manned. Over 36,000 rounds of ammunition were expended by the Squadron during the day's activities.
Yet another decoration for the Squadron. Colin Gray's D.F.C. is fully deserved and the Squadron offers him their heartiest congratulations.

54 Sqn. engage raid near Hornchurch

Friday 16th August 1940 12:14

OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK of (Unit or Formation) No. 54 Squadron.

Place Date Time Summary of Events References to Appendices
Hornchurch 1940
august
16th		 12.14 Another engagement with the enemy when a large formation of Do 215.s escorted by He 113.s and Me 109.s was encountered very near Hornchurch. 2 Me 109.s (by Colin Gray in celebration of his D.F.C.) and 1 He 113 (F/O McMullen) all destroyed and 2 bombers and a fighter damaged for no loss on our part was a most satisfactory hour's work.

F/O McMullen claims an He 113 over Hornchurch

12:14
Sector Serial No (A) D 1.
Serial No. of order detailing patrol (B) -
Date (C) 16/8/40
Flight, Squadron (D) 9 aircraft 54 Squadron
Number of Enemy Aircraft (E) 80 approx.
Type of Enemy Aircraft (F) 40 Do.215's
40 Me.109's and He.113's
Time Attack was delivered (G) 1214 - 1327 hours
Place attack was delivered (H) E. of Hornchurch and over the Coast.
Height of Enemy (J) Fighters 19,000 - 25,000
Bombers 16,000 feet
Enemy Casualties (K) Destroyed 1 He 113
Probable -
Damaged -
Our Casualties Aircraft (L) NIL
Personnel (M) NIL
Searchlights (N) (i) N/a
A.A. Guns Assistance (ii) Behind bombers : in front of our fighters at16,000 ft.
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		 (P) Range opened )
Length of burst ) See attached Sheet.
Range closed )
No. of rounds fired ) 1540
F/O McMULLEN

The Squadron were engaging enemy bombers East of Hornchurch, when we were attacked by protecting ME 109's and HE 113's. I chased an ME 109 and found myself near Deal, where I came upon four HE 113's. I was at 28,000 feet and dived on one of these four; the enemy aircraft could not have seen me until I was right on him. I attacked from slightly astern and above, range 200 yards, giving enemy aircraft a 4 seconds burst. The enemy aircraft dived steeply and I followed it down and saw it crash into the sea just off Calais.
DAP McMullen F/o

(AIR/50/21/49)

54 Sqn. engage stragglers from large formation

Sunday 18th August 1940 12:40

OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK of (Unit or Formation) No. 54 Squadron.

Place Date Time Summary of Events References to Appendices
Hornchurch 1940
august
18th		 12.40 By this time the first big attack of the day had developed. At least 600 enemy aircraft - an probably a good many more - were plotted all over Kent. The Squadron was unable to approach the main formations but dealt satisfactory with a large number of stragglers. The following enemy causalities were claimed:-

S/Leader Leathart - 1 He 113 (probable) 1 Me 109 (damaged).
F/Officer McMullen -1 He 113 (damaged) 1 Do17 (?215) (damaged). This pilot also split up a formation of 12 He 113.s
P/Officer Matthews -1 Me 109 (probable).
F/Lt. Gribble - 1 Me 109 (destroyed).
P/O Gray - 1 Do 215 (damaged).
F/Sgt. Tew - 1 Me 109 (destroyed). Tew had the good fortune to secure this enemy causualty without firing a shot. Enemy aircraft was persuing him and Tew pulled out at a low altitude and the 109 failed to follow and crashed straight into the ground.
P/Officer Campbell- 1 Me 109 (destroyed) 1 Do 17 (damaged)

These achievements were gained without loss - either of pilots or aircraft.

F/O McMullen claims an He 113 damaged over Dover

12:40
Sector Serial No (a) D.2
Serial No. of order detailing patrol (b) -
Date (c) 18/8/40
Flight, Squadron (d) 12 aircraft 54 Squadron.
Type of Enemy Aircraft (f) Me.109 )
He.113 ) very large formations
Do.17 )
Do.215 )
Time Attack was delivered (g) 1240 -1342 hours
Place attack was delivered (h) KENT
Height of Enemy (j) 15,000 to 25,000 feet
Enemy Casualties (k) Destroyed -
Probable -
Damaged 1 He 113
1 Do 17 (?215)
Our Casualties Aircraft (l) Nil
Personnel (n) Nil
Searchlights (n) N/a
A.A. Guns Assistance Nil
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		 (p) Range opened )
Length of burst) see attached sheets.
Range closed )
No. of rounds fired ) 935
F/O McMULLEN

I was Yellow Leader. We were ordered off to patrol Dover at 25,000 feet. At that height Red and Green sections intercepted 5 or more HE113. A short dogfight appeared to go on.

I found I was by myself when I saw two large formations of bombers escorted by fighters. I attacked the rearmost escort fighters, about 12 HE 113's. I picked one in the middle of the formation and large bits fell off him. I am sure he was badly damaged. I opened fire at 250 yards, sprayed the remainder and broke them up. I continued my dive towards the sea. I saw what was probably a DO 17 and engaged him at close range, making one engine catch fire. I broke off the engagement because I was a long way out to sea. On my way home I sighted six enemy twins and could not catch them up.
DAP McMullen F/o

(AIR/50/21/49)

54 Squadron Intelligence report includes formation of He 113s

12:40

12 a/c 54 Squadron engaging the enemy over Kent 12:40 - 13:43 hours.

54 Squadron, operating from Manston, was ordered to investigate several enemy raids of unknown dimension and at great height over Kent. Subsequently the whole of Kent was covered with enemy raids. 54 Squadron operated in sections and engaged a number of single fighters and bombers.

Several large formations were sighted at 20,000 feet coming in from the coast towards Biggin Hill. One of these consisted of at least 80 bombers in waves of three - line abreast. Two of our pilots below said this looked like a huge oblong which was supported by many fighters circling above and in front. Unfortunately our fighters were not able to get at this formation owing to height and distance away from them.

54 Squadron must have met a number of individual machines on their return because a series of dog fights ensued.

The following points of interest emerge from the combat:

  1. It was emphasised once again that the Me 109 has difficulty in pulling out of a dive at low altitude. A Me 109 following on the tail of a Spitfire crashed through this failure.
  2. A formation of 12 He 113s were split up by one pilot who managed to damage one.
  3. The main formation could not be approached.
  4. Camouflage was standard in each type, plus the yellow wing tips on the fighters.

No Me110s were encountered. This is perhaps explained by the fact that only Me110s were encountered in a later raid during the day. In this later raid no Me109s were met by our fighters.

Signed; Patrick Shallard F/O. Intelligence Officer, R.A.F. Hornchurch.

Quoted without archive reference in Battle of Britain Combat Archive volume 5.

Manston strafed by He 113s

15:30

OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK of (Unit or Formation) R.A.F. Station MANSTON

Place Date Time Summary of Events References to Appendices
MANSTON. 18.8.40 1530. Another attacked made on the aerodrome by twelve H.E.113's with cannon and machine gun fire. Two Spitfries were destroyed on the ground.
1 Airman killed and 15 injured, mostly on the Servicing Flight.

F/O McMullen encounters He 113s and Bf 109s escorts over Folkestone and Dover

Saturday 24th August 1940 09:50
Sector Serial No (A) D.1.
Serial No. of order detailing patrol (B) -
Date (C) 24.8.40
Flight, Squadron (D) 12 a/c 54 Squadron
Type of Enemy Aircraft (F) 30 JU 88's
20 - 30 ME 109's
HE 113's & ME 110's
Time Attack was delivered (G) 0950 - 1120
Place attack was delivered (H) Dover - Folkestone.
Height of Enemy (J) 20,000 ft - 25,000 ft
Enemy Casualties (K) Destroyed. 1 Me 109
Probable. -
Damaged. -
Our Casualties Aircraft (L) Nil
Personnel (M) Nil
Searchlights (N) (i) N/A
A.A. Guns Assistance (ii) Nil
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		 (P) Range opened )
Length of Burst ) see attached sheet
Range closed )
No. of rounds fired)
F/O McMullen (2303 rounds)

I encountered 4 M E 109's circling at 26,000 feet above the coast at Dover. I thought that they were waiting for the bombers to come back so that they could form the protective escort. I followed these round until one became separated from the flour and let him get well away. I then followed.

The ME 109 could not have seen me because I attacked from above and astern (range 100 yards closing to 50 yards), and enemy aircraft took no evasive action. Large pieces fell off the 109 and black smoke poured from the engine. I followed it down and it crashed into the sea just short of the French Coast near Calais.
DAP McMullen F/o

(AIR/50/21/49)

264 Sqn. report seeing He 113 escorts

Monday 26th August 1940 11:55

At 110,000 feet the squadron observed a formation of 12 Do 17s in vics line astern. The squadron climbed up and attacked in vics line astern from below, between Herne Bay and Deal.

Whils delivering their attack, they were harrassed by at least 50 Me 109s, which kept diving on them and appeared ot be otherwise unengaged.

The formation of Do 17s adopted no evasive tactics but brought cross fire to bear. Fire was noticed from side panels as well as front and rear positions. The He 113s were also notcied with yellow wing tips.

264 Sqn. Intelligence Reprt quoted in Battle of Britain Combat Archive.

F/L Deere encounters HE113s over North Foreland

Wednesday 28th August 1940 12:30
Sector Serial No (a)
Serial No. of order detailing patrol (b)
Date (c) 28/8/40
Flight, Squadron (d) Red Leader 54 Squadron
Type of Enemy Aircraft (f) Large formations of HE.113, ME.109 and Dorniers
Time Attack was delivered (g) 1230
Place attack was delivered (h) North Foreland
Height of Enemy (j) 20,000 to 28,000
Enemy Casualties (k) Destroyed
Probable 1 ME 109
Damaged
Our Casualties Aircraft (l) 1 a/c category 3
Personnel (m) nil
Searchlights (n) (i)
A.A. Guns Assistance (ii)
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		 (P) Range Opened
Length of burst see attached sheet
Range closed
No. of rounds fired
[sheet missing]

(AIR/50/21/105)

F/Lt Deere encounters He 113s near Thameshaven

Friday 30th August 1940 16:50
Sector Serial No (a)
Serial No. of order detailing patrol (b)
Date (c) 30/8/40
Flight, Squadron (d) Green leader 54 Sqdn
No. & type of Enemy Aircraft (f) Approx 50 Do 215's and Me 110's
Time Attack was delivered (g) 1650
Place attack was delivered (h) Near Thameshaven
Height of Enemy (j) 18,000
Enemy Casualties (k) Destroyed
Probable 1 Do 17
Damaged
Our Casualties Aircraft (l) 1 a/c category 3
Personnel (n)
Searchlights (ni)
A.A. Guns Assistance (nii)
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		 (p) Ranged opened )
Length of burst ) see attached sheet
Range closed )
No.of rounds fired 2695
F/Lt Deere, D.F.C.

Green Leader

I sighted a large formation of Dorniers escorted by a large formation of He 113's and ME 109's approaching N. Foreland. Enemy bombers were at 20,000 feet in in vics of fives and sixes.

I gave sighting position to Rabit Leader and led my section into attack seven ME 109's. I fired one long birth at 250 yards, closing into 100 yards and immediately broke way ??? left. Enemy aircraft appeared to be out of control, and smoke was coming from it. (Confirmed from Red 2). I was subsequently engaged in a series of dog fights. I got in another burst at another ME 109 at close range, but was unable to observe any result. When at 23,000 feet, I was shot down by a Spitfire (no markings observed). Mu control wires to the rudder were shot away and I had to bale out. I came down at Detling.

A C Deere

(AIR/50/21/105)