Battle of Britain Print

"Incident at Ashey"

A: in the series "Echoes of the Home Front by John Howard Worsley

Extract from the Story-Sheet:

On the afternoon, 15th August 1940, a force of eighteen Junkers Ju88 bombers commenced a mission. They were escorted by Messerschmitt Me110s of II Gruppe Zerstorergeschwader 76 from Rennes. One of the escorts, which were fitted with long-range tanks, was piloted by Uffz. Jakob Birndorfer. After assembling above Guernsey, the formation flew over Cherbourg and climbed to 1200 meters. It then crossed the English Channel through a blue sky, clear of all cloud apart from strings of condensation streaming from the armada's droning engines. The target was to be an airfield near Salisbury and, as it drew near, British fighters were seen climbing to intercept.

A fierce fight ensued and the Germans were deflected but as no bombs had been dropped, they returned. The bombs were released but not all found the target. It was then time to run for home. Birndorfer reached the Solent but was attacked by four Spitfires. Two from the front and two from astern. His right motor was hit and started to smoke. Two of the Spitfires flown by Pilot Officer J. Zurakowski of 234 Squadron and Flying Officer P. Ostaszewski-Ostoje of 609 Squadron, gave chase towards Cowes. Next, the left engine was hit and the propeller stopped. The German pilot tried to bale out but was hit by a machine gun bullet. Now ack-ack guns started punching up a barrage of splintering shells and so the British fighters held back.

Ten year old Ron Morton lived at Whippingham in Coburg Cottage: "A twin- engined German aircraft was circling with smoke coming from an engine. The Whippingham guns were blasting away and shrapnel was falling on the cottage. Mother became very frightened and we were worried that as the plane circled lower, the anti-aircraft shells would take the cottage roof off. We huddled in the porch. Eventually the plane was lost from view heading inland towards Wootton ."

Pursuit by the two Spitfires now continued at low-level, weaving its way
across the Isle of Wight .............

Many further eye-witness accounts follow in the story-sheet

Available as hand mounted prints 10" x 8" , 14" x 11" & 20" x 16".

Also available to order as Canvas Repro'