Very quiet enroute to target, one ME-110 got the drop on us but everyone missed and we went our seperate ways. Short of the target area we did get picked up by one Jerry that knew what he was about and caused S/F damage to the waist. Over the target the poor weather kept the flak and wild boars off of us, but it didn't do us any good trying to bomb thru the bloody soup! Our bomb aimer lined up the sight as best he could and hit the bomb release. "Bombs Gone!" he yelled out over the intercom. With that I put the ship into a tight diving port turn. We really couldn't tell how we did, but we had a feeling we didn't repeat our last mission.
We made it to the coast without a peep from Jerry until we hit the coast. This Jerry came in quickly and knocked out our #2 engine. James my Flt Eng and myself quickly got the engined feathered. Shouts on the intercom told us that jerry was coming around again. I hear and felt our bomb aimer let go with a burst from his turret. Had to throw up my left hand to shield my eyes from the bright flash. "Take that you buggers!", he yelled out as Flt and I peered through the canopy glass to watch the bright flames mark the path of the doomed fighter. Landed with no problems. A very tired crew climb into the lorry and off we went without a word for a debriefing. Note: We later learned from the "spy" that we completely missed the target. Bugger!
Cliff Trimble
Pilot
The Grim Reaper