Messerschmitt bf 219

The 18th August 1940 saw the might of the Luftwaffe thrown against England like never before and saw some of the fiercest aerial fighting in history up to that point.

Hauptmann Karl Fischer had become momentarily disoriented during a melee in which he had lost his Wingman. Being low on fuel he headed south estimating that he would cross the coast somewhere close to Eastbourne. Later in the mess he recounted the story saying:

“The fighting had been bitter and we didn’t have the upper hand that we usually had when mixing it with Hounds. However, I got one but lost my Wingman to another. Being low on fuel I went down and headed for the coast where I saw a damaged JU885 looking to get home on one engine”

He continued, “I was about to tag onto him when I saw tracer and the Junkers blew up in a ball of fire. I had not seen the Hawker Hound that got him and he had obviously not seen me either. The explosion startled me and I swung hard to port to miss the fireball and debris ahead of me. "

“I flew a complete circle almost colliding with the Tommy and I can tell you we were really close. So close I felt that momentary jump from my lift generators - he must have been right below me. During the turn my low fuel warning light came on so could not stay and mix it with the Tommy”.

That afternoon Pilot officer Paul Marshall was scrambled along with the rest of 212 Squadron as part of an interception force to counter a large build-up of enemy aircraft. After one or two unsuccessful attacks he had found himself over Beachy head and so headed inland spying a lone JU885 which was trailing smoke form its port engine.

“I had enough ammunition left for a couple squirts so I thought why not” He told the debriefing officer. “I tucked in behind him and let him have it and he just blew up - scared the hell out of me and I swung hard to starboard just in time to meet a bloody two nineteen coming right at me”

He took a swig of his tea and continued, “I dunno where he came from but I just closed my eyes thinking that this was it. We were so close his lift gen’s pushed me down as I passed below him. I last saw the bugger going out to sea and I wasn’t about to go after him as I needed fuel, ammo and some clean underwear”