So, thought we were goners, eh? Ta, thanks for the fag. Well, I did too. We landed with nothing but fumes. Horrid trip, just horrid, think we can take a break from Berlin? What happened? Yes, of course, from the beginning.
Got off the ground and on our way just fine, we were over the North Sea just before the turn to the Southeast and North of Emden when a 110 caught us and worked us over before we gave him the shake. Caine said the tail turret was wrecked and the radio was shot away. At the turn, attacked again, maybe 20 minutes later. Lost number 3. Figured we'd come too far to kill fish and we had such a lovely present for Mr. Goring. Hit again by I think the same 110, thats when Shamus was killed and we lost the starboard rudder. Jumped before and after crossing the coast, lost the feathering controls. Tangled all the way to Potsdam, hit numerous times but the only noticeable thing was the port flap being inop.
Berlin was lit up well by the fires, searchlights everywhere. A 110 found us on the run in and hit us hard, lost number 2 and the Pilot Compartment heat. Couldn't keep her in the air so we ditched the bombs and leveled out at about angels 9.5. The Flak was erratic, but focused on bombers at higher altitudes. As we limped out of the area another 110 found us and put a savage beating on us, wounding Caine. We were dogged all the way out to the North Sea. The last bugger to bother us gave us a great send off just after the got over the Sea. Lost rudder control and got a fuel leak in the starboard outboard fuel cell. Andrews worked to get the fuel transfered. I figured we were dead as the radio was shot away, a long cold float to oblivion. Leaned up the two engines best we could and aimed for home by shortest route. Dawn came and we were still in the air. Never happier when the coast came into view and we put down at the coastal command base. Caine will be fine, me, I need a drink and some rest.
F/O Andrew Pettigrew