[Brian]

Hi Chris

I have this, but it may be a different combat (see date)

On 27 October, the light cruisers Newcastle and Emerald together with escorting destroyers (Force F), out from Southampton on a search and destroy mission against the German destroyer force operating in the Channel, made contact. The initial exchange of gunfire failed to achieve any results, so Newcastle’s Walrus (possibly L2331) was launched to assist with spotting. The crew - Sub-Lt Austin Gough and Lt Colin Campbell-Meiklejohn, observer - had an immediate success when they observed a salvo of torpedoes approaching the British force, warning the ships in time for them to comb the tracks. Up until now, only one Do17 had been seen but with darkness rapidly descending, three more bombers appeared, making an ineffectual pass at the Walrus before releasing their bombs, none of which fell close to the ships. With the German destroyers having made their escape, the Walrus crew was ordered to make for Plymouth rather than return to the cruiser. Flying near the Lizard, the Walrus was suddenly attacked by a Do17 and damaged, Gough receiving a bullet wound in the chest, necessitating a landing on the sea, from where the Walrus was hoisted aboard. It was alleged that when the wounded pilot was later approached by a fellow officer with the remark, ‘Hello, chum, I hear you were shot down’, Gough replied: ‘I certainly wasn’t shot down; I may have been shot up, but the bastard wouldn’t stay and give battle!’

It would seem that I have the wrong date!

Cheers
Brian