I was tasked with leading a defensive patrol over the 2nd Canadian Dv. just southeast of Antwerp. Unit operated under the codename Voodoo and was composed of myself and my wingman F/O 'Zach' Z. Lamothe. Took off was uneventful and we headed to the area of operations at the previously pre-assigned angels of 10. Approximately 20 min after reaching the area, we spotted a lonely recon Ju-88 approacing the coast line. F/O 'Zach' Z. Lamothe attacked first but missed his pass with no hits to the bomber who did not seen to have noticed us. My attack however was spot on and the enemy took considerable damage to both engines and the crew bailed less than a min after. We continued our patrol around the area for another 20 min but no enemy activity was detected until I decided to extend our patrol about 15 km northeast, around the city of Turnhout. Upon reaching the area, a Me-110 was spotted apparently heading towards Antwerp as well. F/O 'Zach' Z. Lamothe engaged the bandit and with a quick burst took it out of the skies. Only a single parachute was spotted. We RTBed immedeiately after that to ream and refuel our planes.
The second sortie of the day was also very busy. Upon reaching the area above the 2nd Canadian Div., which by then was in the process of resupplying at the port, several small fighter skirmishes were taking place at low level. We assisted several of such skirmishes and F/O 'Zach' Z. Lamothe and I damaged another 109 in the process which we later saw being shot down by a group of Americans in Mustangs. On our way out, I realized I was being chased by a Fw-190 low on the deck and luckly F/O 'Zach' Z. Lamothe was there to clear my six and kill the German. Another kill by him, his 2nd of the day. We decided to fly over the port of Antwerp before egressing and, again, came into contact with a flight of 109s. I managed to take both of them down after a short dogfight over the city with F/O 'Zach' Z. Lamothe covering me. We all RTBed safely after. F/Lt 'Riksen' Richards |
