O Orange took off and formed up with the bomber stream heading for Berlin. We were attacked by an ME110 crossing the north coast of Holland. The fighter scored hits lighly wounding Bomb Aimer Simpson. Tail Gunner Hudec returned fire and shot down the fighter which was observed to crash into the sea.
We were attacked again just south of Bremen and shot up pretty good. The port #1 engine and oil tank were hit and the port aerilon was shot away. Our gunners returned fire but missed.
At the final turning point before the target we were attacked again by another ME110. Hits were taken in the port wing, tail and waist of our AC. During this attack the rear turret jammed and we had to shut down #1 engine. Pilot Wilson was wounded.
Another attack on the runup to target caused major damage. Hits in the cockpit area knocked out the heat and the tail gunner was killed. Bomb run was off target. Flight engineer Symons and Wireless op Byrd both suffered severe frostbite. We descended to 10000 feet and managed to return safely.