46 and 249 Squadron again participated in wing patrols on 28 September. The first was of Dover and the second of Maidstone. John Crossman and Bill Millington flew on both patrols, John in Hurricane V6478 and Bill in V6614.
On both occasions enemy aircraft were sighted but it was the Maidstone patrol that proved the most significant for John as experienced a lucky escaped and learned two valuable lessons in fighter tactics.
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For once, 46
Squadron were leading and, on the way home, the wing was caught by surprise.
They:
‘Were attacked
in rear out of the sun by 2 Me 109s. We were leading and they shot down one of
249 of Squadron at the rear. It was occupying the position in rear of squadron
that I usually have. Glad we were leading. Pilot baled out OK but didn’t move
when he landed. Have learned he was badly wounded. [This was Pilot Officer Albert
Lewis.] When the two 109s attacked [they] had dived into clouds so we weren’t
able to get them. Had they not attacked from out of the sun we should have seen
them.’
The lessons: beware
of the Hun in the sun, and tail end Charlie is always vulnerable.
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