Combat air patrol

Major Mjdixon1 reports:

Aircraft: Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Ia "Z-K-L"
Mission Type: Combat Air Patrol
Airfield: Maubeuge Aerodrome, France
Date: 5th of November 1939

I Took off from Maubeuge Aerodrome in the late morning to conduct a combat air patrol between Brussels and Antwerp - both having been subject to axis probing attacks throughout the day. Leveling off at angels 10 I headed north east and arrived at Brussels a short time later, at which point I began a standard patrol patern, lasting some 5 minutes, after which I noted a Junkers Ju-87 Stuka below my starboard Wing at an altitude of what I aproximate to be between angels 03 and angels 05.
Believing that the enemy Stuka was preparing to dive upon our ground forces - and in keeping with my specific orders of conducting a combat air patrol - I dove upon the German machine with zest, scoring multiple hits on his rear and wing root area as he began to dive upon Evere Airfield on the outskirts of Brussels, it is at this point that the Jerry machine came under anti-aircraft fire from the Airfield defence Batteries, subsequently losing its port wing during its and crashing to the ground aflame.

I am unclear at present as to the cause of the enemy aircraft's destruction, being either a result of damage sustained from my attack or being due to the fire from the ground defences.

Having regained altitude after my attack on the enemy Stuka I was then vectored by control towards Bergen op Zoom to assist a Royal Navy destroyer squadron, which had found itself under attack by enemy aircraft whilst trying to conduct a naval blockade of the town.
Upon reaching the Oosterschelde estuary I noted the British Destroyers below me and identified another Junkers Ju-87 Stuka attempting to attack the blockading ships, as such I dove upon the enemy craft, resulting in a number of slashing attacks at low altitude until the Hun was eventualy downed by my machinegun fire on the outskirts of town.

Leveling off at angels 05 over the estuary, I considered my ammunition usage in the previous two engagements and decided it best to return to base due to my being low on ammunition - it was at this point however that I identified a flight of two Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4s above me at between angels 10 and angels 15 to the south east, presumably the late escort flight of the previously engaged Stuka - or otherwise a fighter intercept called by the Stuka for assistance shortly before it's demise.
Being at a clear disadvantage in numbers, altitude and ammunition, I decided the best course of action would be to dive to wave height and attempt to escape west towards the Allied airfield at Vlissingen.

I was however unable to dive away from the enemy before they were able to identify me, resulting in them both diving to attack me, as such I was forced to break a number of times during my escape to throw off the enemy aim, I also aggressively countered a number of dives by turning on the enemy and expending my remaining 60 - 80 rounds of ammunition.
Having defended myself against a number of attacks I had managed to disuade one of the enemy Pilots from continuing his course of action, leaving me with one remaining Jerry 109, who was finaly persuaded to turn for home upon encountering stiff anti-aircraft defences around Vlissingen Harbour, as such I was clear to land at Vlissingen Airfield and finish my flight with no damage to my own Aircraft.
Started Nov 05, 2009 in a Spitfire Mk I from Maubeuge. Ended with 1 kill and 0 captures.

Nov 05 18:43

Operational Sortie 01: Combat ...

Maj Mjdixon1 (UK/AF)