 Johnson 's last certain victories of the year were achieved on 21 September 1941 . Escorting Bristol Blenheims to <unk> , the top cover wings failed to rendezvous with the bombers . Near Le Touquet at 15 : 15 and around 20 @,@ 000 feet , Johnson 's section was bounced by 30 Bf 109s . Johnson broke and turned in and behind a Bf 109F . Approaching from a quarter astern and slightly below , Johnson fired closing from 200 to 70 yards . Pilot Officer Smith of Johnson 's section observed the pilot bail out . Pursued by several enemy aircraft , Johnson dived to ground level . About 10 miles off Le Touquet , other Bf 109s attacked . Allowing the Germans to close within range , Johnson turned into a steep left @-@ hand turn . It took him onto the tail of a Bf 109 . Johnson fired and broke away at 50 yards . The Bf 109 was hit , stalled and crashed into the sea . Johnson was pursued until 10 miles south of Dover . The two victories made Johnson 's total to six destroyed , which now meant he was an official flying ace . In winter 1941 , Johnson and 616 Squadron moved to training duties . The odd convoy patrol was flown but it was an idle period for the Squadron which had now concluded its " Tangmere tour " . 
