AAR - Russian Front 3rd IAK VVS

[XabbaRus]

4 October 1941
The Soviet Union is at war with Fascist Germany. The svolechi did what the west had told us they would do, If only Stalin had listened. I trust you'll sya nothing about that. People have been shot for less. The war however has started well for me, Mladschiy Lietenant Kent. After coming out of training, albeit curtailed in light of recent events I was White 7 of a zveno MiG 3UD's a big change from the UT-4 I trained on and even the I-16 I had combat training on, if it could be called that. I sat last in line on the runway ready for todays mission escorting other MiG 3s on a bombing run. The klaxon sounded and over the radio we were informed enemy fighters were approaching from the east. Still the Zveno leader sat there. Impatient to get in the air and take on the temeritous fascists as well as not get my arse shot off without a chance I gunned the throttle and turned onto the taxi way simultaneously dropping my flaps to take off setting and catching the torque of the engine. Soon I was at 200 kph, pulled back on the stick hard (the MiG 3 requires some strength to haul it off the ground I assure you) and turned to face the enemy while climbing. Looking around I spot them just beginning their dives to strafe my mates. Fortunately they haven't seen me. I gain altitude above them then flip on my back and pull over looking to get the leader's wing man. As I pull through I am in a better position to get the leader himself. Even better. Either he hasn't seen me or he is so arrogant that he has caught us napping I lock onto his tail and give him a quick burst of the guns, firing all three at once. I get a few strikes and his attention. He weaves up and down, left and right but still I keep my throttle steady and contain my nerves waiting for the right moment.... Now!! I am close o 100 metres off his tail and closing, I hold down the triggers and give a long burst into his plane, smoke pours out thick black and oily, I pull up at the last moment to avoid a collision, tip my wing over and see him dif a hole into the ground. Over the radio I hear rejoicing as the squadron take down his wingman.

We join up and follow the other MiG laden with 4 bombs each. Poor buggers, they must really feel it. The Mig-3 isn't the most forgiving beast. Great if you treat her well and with respect but ready to bite you in the arse. Built as a fighter I'm sure she isn't enjoying this. I listen as I hear warnings of enemy aircraft over the target area. An earlier group of MiGs are about to drop their bombs, supported by some I-16s and MiG-3s.

It sounds like they have hit their targets but the enemy are upon them but so are we. I keep altitude waiting for the right moment then role in on my foe. I line up on his tail and close right in giving a long burst and watch as his engine catches flames. No time to rejoice I find myself another target being chased by 2 compatriots. Well I can't let them have all the fun if I get 3 in one day then surely that will make up for my jumping the queue. Again I close distance, he tries to shake me off but I pump another salvo into him my two Shkas depriving him of his life.

We head back to base for a bumpy landing and hopefully some rest. 3 today maybe more tomorrow....

mlt Kent...
Dear readers here are my last two kills of this mission. I apologise for not providing pictures of my first kill but I had forgotten to set my gun camera in the rush to take off. rest assured I got the credit since my mechanic saw it all.











Third kill of the mission













Time for a plate of borsch.