Upon returning to base from our first sortie, we were quickly transferred to 02 different Spitfires since both code N and Z had to undergo repairs after considerable damage from the first sortie. S/Ldr 'Skipper' Merfort quickly briefied us and ordered the flight to patrol the city of Nijmegen once again. Ingressing into the city proved unsually calm and no contacts were seen until about 30 min later. Once again, the enemy had sent a bomber formation to attack the city but this time with a small group of fighters. BUMPER flight attacked the formation and F/O 'Zach' Z. Lamothe quickly dispatched one He-111 while I severly damage one Me-109 that dove to deck once his advantage was lost. F/O 'Zach' Z. Lamothe finished the wounded enemy so I decided to head back home since I had sustained some damage to my new Spitfire during the attack into the bomber formation. About half-way to home base, I heard a loud thumping sound and lost control of the aircraft, which began to move nose up into a stall. I managed to quickly unhook the seatbelt and bail out about 10 miles from home base. Upon landing, I heard Sherman tanks and other vehicles approaching from the south to verify the incident and was greated by Sgt. Marshall of the 2nd American Armored Division who had seen the whole incident. He promptly asked one of his man to give a ride back to B.78. F/Lt 'Riksen' Richards |
