On Tuesday, October 15, 1940, Major Adolf Galland was flying his Messerschmitt 109 at 6,500 metres altitude over England. After returning home, he wrote the following report on the circumstances during which he achieved his 45th confirmed aerial victory: "Mission: Extended escort to II./LG 2 and own fighter-bombers against London. During the approach flight, me and my Staffel protected II./LG 2 from an attack from behind by a squadron of Spitfires. Coming up from below, I attacked a single Spitfire which had been separated from the rest. Opening fire at a distance of 150 to 200 metres, I saw the bullets hit home and the enemy aircraft levelled out. My wingman and I made one more firing pass each on the Spitfire, which by this time flew at very low speed and without making any evasive actions. Suddenly we saw the pilot bail out and make a free fall of at least 1,000 metres before his parachute was opened." A comparison with RAF loss-tables reveals that the aircraft met by Galland's Staffel on this day, were the Hurricanes of 46 RAF Squadron and not Spitfires. The unhappy victim of Galland's hunting spirit was Sergeant A.T. Gooderham, who bailed out with slight burns.