Once it was identified, Tubby Ashfield accelerated and closed the distance until he was about 400 feet and then opened fire.
To use the words of Tubby Ashfield 'it was like a huge firework display' and strikes were observed on both the fuselage and engines. Tubby continued to fire his guns until he had closed to within 200 feet when the Dornier lurched to starboard and fell away.
Tubby attempted to follow, still firing but by this time the cockpit Perspex windows were covered in oil from the enemy A/C resulting in Tubby losing control of the Blenheim and diving inverted towards the sea. It was only at 700 feet altitude that Tubby managed to recover the aircraft by which time contact had been well and truly lost.
Calling Poling CH station for a vector home, they crossed the English coast between Bognor Regis and Littlehampton whereupon P/O Morris reported seeing a glow in the sky some distance behind them and slightly to port. As he watched he saw an object crash into the sea and continue to blaze for some time. He estimated that this would have been about 5 miles south of Bognor Regis.
A pilot of 43 Squadron who was also on patrol in the area provided independent conformation of the blaze and position.
Tubby Ashfield landed the Blenheim safely back at Tangmere at about 00.15am little realizing that he and A.I. radar had changed forever how aerial warfare would be raged in the years to come.
