The diversionary raids must have worked, because we didn't see any sign of the Luftwaffe until we got to Berlin. A Me-110 surprised us on our approach, knocking out Paul's bombsight. Flak was heavy, and we took several fragments. Ken was hit in the thigh, but was able to remain in his tail turret. Paul got a nasty head wound, so Will stepped away from his instruments to release our load manually. The starboard wing took a hit, and on the other side, the number one engine started losing oil pressure. Needless to say, our bombs landed nowhere near the target indicators, but Berlin's a big place.
We thought we were getting away OK, but Ken spotted a 110 coming up behind us after we lost altitude due to the number one engine finally seizing up. The starboard wing took another hit, as did the port tailplane. Andrew thought he managed to get a hit on him as we corkscrewed away.
Crossing the coast, we were surprised by another 110. This one took yet another chunk out of the starboard wing, knocked out our port aileron, smashed the controls for feathering the props, and grazed Seve's hand as he sat at the W/T. We took some superficial damage from another pass before we shook him off.
Out over the North Sea, yet another 110 snuck up on us. This one hammered us bad, hitting the port wing and tailplane, and taking out the number four engine. With no feathering controls, I had to let it windmill. The next pass took out our other aileron, and smashed Ken's tail guns.
We were flying low and slow, with only two good engines and the drag of a windmilling prop. I thought we'd gotten beyond the Luftwaffe's range, when one last 110 put in an appearance. Without tailguns or the ability to take evasive action, we felt like we were on the wrong end of target practice. Three good passes tore up our skin, but the only solid hit was on the port wing.
We touched down late, but it was a good landing despite the lack of ailerons. Paul will be in hospital for a long time. I don't know whether to hope he gets out before the war is over, or to hope the war is over before he gets out.
Flight-Lieutenant Jonathan Bacon
Pilot, Wasat
September 6, 1943
292 Peckham Damage Points