Christmas Eve dawn take off to intercept a bomber flight tip-off from G2 Intel Officer at HQ 2TAF. Heavy snow falling from the outset, runway at Glize very slippery and treacherous. 'A' Flight got off in good shape and headed east. Overcast was low at around 3000 ft and we power climbed hard due east to get through the clag. Once above the cloud layer into the brilliant sun we were somewhat spread out but able to see each other. White Section appeared in front and below, Yellow were behind and nearly co-alt. We climbed to over 25,000 ft and came across a flight of large a/c moving to the southest. Quickly identified as Ju-88s I released the flight to help themselves as there was no sight of any enemy cover. The boys got well stuck in and displayed excellent control of their Spitfires at this high altitude. Within a few minutes I had destroyed two E/A both seen to be well aflame and falling to earth. I quickly found the others giving chase to the last of the enemy bombers and assisted in the destruction from astern and zero deflection with a good 3 second burst of cannon and ball. White Two was not seen to be in trouble but it was quickly noticed that he was no longer with us and is declared as missing. Once all the E/A had been dealt with we turned to the west and headed back for home base. Most pilots were experiencing engine difficulties and Yellow One had to let down at Nijmegen. I recovered without issue back to Gilze and conducted a good landing in difficult conditions. Ground looped my a/c on rollout and broke off the port airleron. Quickly joined on the apron by White One. F/Lt 'Madov' Emblin |
