Fighter sweep over the Channel

On July 24th there was another battle between 303 Polish RAF squdron and JG26 of Luftwaffe. Germans were send for the fighter sweep over the Channel. Poles were ambushed by the Messerschmitts attacked from all sides. F/Lt Urbanowicz had decided to cencentrete fire on one side covering their backs with one fighter.

Poles regain the Advantage level and carry out successfull head on attack. One of the enemy fighter dived in flames into the water. The sgt. Slaeger who was just joined the JG26 was bale out and rescued by the boat. It was highly valuable experience for him. The victor was P/O Zumbach once again.

Seeing their friends in trouble another pair of 109 dived from above into battlefield when another approached from the other side.

One of the German fighters open the throtle and dive toward the Hurricanes leader. It looks that F/Lt Urbanowicz was in trouble while being tailed by Lt Dahle and under head on attacked by another German fighter in the same time. Polish pilot got rid of one and succesfully hit another.

On the other side of the battle area P/O Feric covering backs of his friends so far saw a lonely Bf109 and got tailed him. After a long series DB601 got on fire and an enemy fighter drop in into the water. None parashute was visible. One confirmed victory for P/O Ferić

Meanwhile outnumbered by the Poles trying to hunting him down Unt. Spatz was made some evasive actions. Sgt Frantisek never reached him but when Donald had joined the hunting he successfully strike him down. German pilot bale out and survived. Lone fight against meny enemies gave him additional experience.

 

Loosing third aiplane German pilots dived away toward French terrritory.

The battle ended with major Polish victory. Three German aircrafts were shot down, two pilots were resqued. Both of them gain additional experience.

P/O Zumbach became very close to Ace title with four confirmed victiries in total. To the group of victors P/O Ferić had joined with one another success. Both Polish pilots had learned a lot from this fight and deserve for being veterans.

When the hunter bacome a hunted

In the morning 18th of July the 303 was posted as a cover force of a convoy on the English Channel.

The enemy bomber attack was expected. The He111 acompanied by four Bf109 bacame seen ahead, another pair of enemy fighters was left High in the sky.

Own vessel put a flak barrage to canalize the enemy move. Flight A of 303 squdron took position between a ship and the bombers, when a Flight B was left as a Top Cover.

Flight A led personally by F/Lt Urbanowicz dived towards the bomber element. German fighter decided to encircle a cloud cover to tail the Poles. It was an error, because it gave the Allies time to attack a bombers.

F/Lt Urbanowicz and Sgt Frantisek strafe two of three bombers and successfully make them disadvanteged when P/O Feric covered thier backs. When the German fighters had seen their mistake they divide the force, two fighters burn advantage to help bombers immediately when another pair continued a planned manoeuvre.

Both, Urbanowicz and Frantisek attached to the Heinkels backs and load a lead towards them. Squadron leader was more focused and set fire on the left engine of his Heinkel, when Sgt Frantisek was too hasty to hit. Meanwhile he bacame in trouble. Top cover flight of Bf109 dived towards the formation of Hurricanes.

Another pair of  Bf109 dive from the front and attack P/O Feric. Rubust construction of Hurricane saved Polish pilot from the hit this time. Revese fire hit the Bf109 and forced Sgt Taube to disadvantage. Focused on the fight with the Messeschmitt P/O Feric haven't realized the presence of another enemy who successfully outmonouver Polish fighter.

Meanwhile the Flight B appeared from above and set on the backs of the German pair encircling battle area. Sgt Szaposznikow choose a leading Messerschmitt and set a long series. The plane belonged to the hpt Vogel was shat in flames. None parashute was visible. Sgt Szaposznikow was happy of his first kill.

This part of the sky was cleared from the enemy fighters. Thanks to that Tolo and Donald join the hunting of German bombers. P/O Zumbach attacked as a second, aimed and set a good piece of lead toward the German bomber. The second engine set on fire and a plane fall into the water. First confirmed victory to Donald!

Meanwhile Sgt Frantisek fought against three enemy fighters. The Czech pilot took many defensive trick to get rid of the enemies. Unfortunately none of his friends was at disposal to help him. Thanks to the robust construction of Hurricane and pilot skills he survived. Moreover he focused attention of many enemies thanks to that his friends were able to finished off the bombers.

In the head on attack P/O Zumbach finished off the second Heinkel. The second confirmed victory this day, he was going to execute the barell roll over the Northolt while he will come back.

Meanwhile F/Lt Urbanowicz used his Acrobatic skills to knock down the last undamaged Heinkel. Two shots from each side were enough to the only bomber. He was ready to finish him off when saw that the bomber throw away its payload and dive away towards the France. The bombers were driven off. Now the time come for the Messershmitts.

On the other side of the battle area Sgt Szaposznikow was trying to climb for advantage. Unfortunately he was blocked by the enemy fighter. Another one appeared and make a head on attack. The engine burned out and the plane fell into the water. The pilot never survived.

In the center of the battle F/Lt Urbanowicz aimed his guns for a disadvantaged aiplane ahead. Short serie was enough for him. The German fighter was knocked down. One confirmed victory for Squadron Leader.

Garman pilots were desperate to get the job done. Number 4 set his plane for the strafing attack agains destoyer. British sailors opened fire and ... hit the Messerschmitt that fall down. The pilot was rescued.

It was quite big victory for Polish pilots. They belived in their skills and in the evening went to the local pub for joy and for sorrow of lost Sgt Szaposznikow.

Double victory for P/O Jan (Donald) Zumbach

One victory for F/Lt Witold Urbanowicz

One victory for F/Sgt Eugeniusz Szaposznikow

One pilot lost - Eugeninusz Szaposznikow - killed in action

Replacements:

P/O Ludwik Paszkiewicz was posted to 303 squadron on RF-K in place of lost Sgt. Szaposznikow

BoB80 in 303 squadron day by day

16.07

Dogfight over Kanal. We were driven off. Two pilots: P/O Łokuciewski and F/Sgt Frantisek down (both survived). 5 successfull attacks but all dodged (Bf109 are more agile than our Hurricanes).

We need to try harder.

 

 

18.07

Defending convoy on English Channel.

Victories: The glory day of 303 with a bit of sorrow. Four confirmed victories: two He111 for P/O Jan Zumbach, one Bf109 for F/Lt Witold Urbanowicz, one Bf109 for F/Sgt Eugeniusz Szaposznikow.

Loses: One pilot killed in action - F/Sgt Eugeniusz Szaposznikow.

Replacements: P/O Ludwik Paszkiewicz

24.07

Fighter sweep over the Channel.

Victories: Another glory day of 303. Three confirmed victories: two Bf109 for P/O Jan Zumbach, one Bf109 for F/Lt Mirosław Ferić.

Loses:None

02.08

Bounce over the Channel.

Victories: Another glory day of 303 and personally for P/O Jan Zumbach. One confirmed victory: Bf109 for P/O Jan Zumbach

Loses:None

In JG26 Sgt Sraeche Killed in Action replacement with Stg. Gustav Tit

16.08

Priority target: RAF airfield.

Victories: both enemy squadrons driven off. One Bf109 shot down (KIA), two He111 down. F/Lt Urbanowicz: 2 confirmed victories (one Bf109 - pilot KIA and one He111), P/O Ferić - one confirmed kill (He111)

 

Loses:Damaged Airfield (one point)

 

In JG26 Sgt Schwalbe Killed in Action replacement with Kpr.Einz

 

 

21.09

Morning:

Dogfight:south of London

Victories: none

Loses: F/Lt Urbanowicz downed. Back to base 

Afternoon

Figter sweep south England

Victories:One Bf109 for P/O Zumbach and one Bf109 for F/Lt Urbanowicz

Loses: none

 

22.09

Morning:

Escort duty:

Victories: P/O Feric - one He111

Loses: F/Lt Urbanowicz downed. Back to base 

 

 

Afternoon

Escort duty:

Victories: P/O Łukuciewski - two He111

Loses: none

 

First blood BoB80

On the 16th of June the Radar control reported a group of bandits over the channel. The Polish 303 squadron was scrambled to intercept them. F/Lt Urbanowicz led his men to the fight. Unfortunately Polish boys were too hasty and not very focused on the sky. Suddenly the pair of P/O Tolo Łokuciewski was attacked from above by four 109's. The first bandit outmanouver poor Tolo and the second finished him off. he RF-C went down to the channel. The first kill was assign to Lt Karl Dohle.

It was too much for  Tolo's wingman: Sgt Frantisek, he burn advantage and set on the tail of German pilot. The 109 hitwas sucessfully dodged. Another Jerry approached to engage Czech pilot. Frantisek lost concentraton for a while and ... was attacked by the fourh enemy.

Seeing frinds in trouble Sgt. Szaposznikow dive for help. He tried to climbe for advantage but was blocked by enemy fighters. He never helped to sgt Frantisek whos plane crashed. The kill was assigned to Unt. Otto Spatz.

First turn ended with a result 4:1 for Germans. Hopefully Poles gained a better position to attack. Only they want is a vengeance.

The squadron leader F/Lt Urbanowicz make a circle and open throttle to help the friends. P/O Mirosław Feric tailed up another enemy hit but dodged. Another turn ended up with a result 4:2 for Germans.

Third round belonged to the Poles. Initially F/Lt Urbanowicz hit without kill a rookie pilot and P/O Zumbach took the second one who also survived. Third turn ended with a result 4:4 (but Poles lost two planes before).

Fourh turn started with the deflective attack of P/O Feric who successfully shoot at enemy fighter. Focused on the fight Feric haven't realized that he was tailed by enemy. On another side of the sky Witold Urbanowicz took one more German pilot. The Poles gained 6 hits but received 5 (with 4 four planes presend). The 303 was driven off ... this time.

Meanwhile on the waters of English Channel  two dinghys appeared. Fortunately sgt Frantisek and P/O Łokuciewskie were resqued and returned to Northolt..