Squadron Leader Lionel Manley Gaunce, DFC

Combat Report for 27 August 1941


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© Transcribed by Steve Brew from PRO Air 50/18


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Form "F"

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(A)

-

(B)

-

(C)

27.8.41

(D)

Leading 41 Sqdn.

(E)

12

(F)

109F

(G)

0704

(H)

St. Omer

(J)

23000'

(K)

Me 109F damaged

(L)

Nil

(M)

Nil

(N)

-

(P)

1-300 1 second. 1-200 1½ second[s]. 1-300 2 second[s].

(R)

[blank]

After crossing [the] French Coast at Hardelot and going in nearly to Lille the wing returned halfway back at 25000' to 30000'. W/Cdr Woodhouse went down to attack a few 109s. My section crossed over twice covering their tail but after losing 3-4000' found that the attack was proving unsuccessful. We turned away into the sun, and on waiting, moved over and under a few dots which turned out to be 109s. The 109s continued from the sun following a rather set formation of four of our aircraft. We crossed over, remained flat out behind the left hand and forward 109s. There were another 3 or 4 on our starboard and three or four behind and into [the] sun. We remained below and behind the three 109s for several seconds trying to close in a few more yards. We held this until one of the enemy chaps on [the] starboard side came over to have a look at us, recognised us, and gave the warning. The 4 109s got into a commotion, and all three of us pulled up and opened fire. Sgt Brew's 109 on my left made the mistake of turning. The last I saw of Brew, he was closed into "yards" and firing hard into [the] 109. My No. 2 and myself got in two or three squirts before our targets went down, and I claim one 109 as damaged.

[signature]

S/Ldr LM. GAUNCE.

EVIDENCE

I saw a piece come off the Me 109 attacked by S/Ldr Gaunce.

[signature]

P/O C.F.BABBAGE

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Cannon 96

Browning Nil

SF VB

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