Family Business Mission 10 AAR : Berlin

Bloody bad luck on this mission, Jerry surprised us twice shooting up the aircraft. The number 4 engine caught on fire, but we were able to extinguish it. Our starboard fuel tank was holed and we were lucky it sealed. On his second run Sgt Dunn hit him repeatedly and he lit up the sky when his fuel tank exploded. We were jumped again just before crossing into Germany and the enemy aircraft managed to make two passes before he was driven off. Sgt Haynes reported the outboard port wing fuel tank was holed and we would not have sufficient fuel to continue on. We also discovered that the bomb bay door we inoperative. At this point our only choice was to abort our the mission and turn for home. The crew elected to stay with the ship and land rather then bail out. I hope the other chaps have better luck.

Flight Officer Art DeFilippo
314 Squadron
Family Business

Enemy Aircraft Claimed:
Me110: (1) Destroyed, (1) Damaged
Damage:
Bomb Bay Doors inoperative, Port Wing: Root (2), Port Wing Flaps shot out, Port Wing: #1 Engine Out (prop feathered), Port Wing: Outboard Fuel Tank Leak, Starboard Wing: #4 Engine - #4 oil tank fire out, Starboard Wing: Rubber rafts holed, Starboard Wing: Outboard Fuel Tank hit (self-sealed), Waist Control Cables Hit (1).
Superficial Damage:
Bomb Bay (1), Port Wing (3), Starboard Wing (3), Tail (1)

Damage Points: 219