As we got ready for take off, I turned towards the Flt Eng and for a brief second I thought I saw James' smiling face and giving me a thumbs up. But as quickly as that came it was gone and our new Flt Eng Tom Jackson was giving me a questioning look. "Alright Skipper?", he asked. "Aye, Let's get on with it." I replied as we started the checklist. Take off was no problem and our ship seems ok as I headed us out towards the coast. Just as we crossed the coast, Jerry sneeked in and caused S/F damage to both wings and we later learned that the raft was shot to bits. It was a cat and mouse game from then on. As we moved deeper into Germany, there was atleast one ME-110 to see us on. The second one that came in wasn't so lucky as Sgt Riggs our tail gunner had em dead to rights and quickly shot him down. Scotty also spotted the next two coming in, He must have spooked the first one as there was no hits and that one flew off. The other caused S/F damage to the PW this time. Over the target now, all quiet, "TI's! skipper" called our new bomb aimer FO Smith. Roger seemed very keen so I had no problem giving him control of the ship. No fighters, flak or searchlights. Very strange indeed. "Bombs gone!" With that I took back control and mindful of the damage to the wings, put the doc in a gentle turn to port. Scotty must have been watching the explosions from our bombs as we left the area we were jumped by a pro! Hitting us 5 times causing S/F damage to the PW, L/W both Corp Campbell in the Mid-Upper and Sgt Riggs in the Tail and knocking out our #2 engine. Tom was on the job and quickly feathered the engine. We traded shots again with that Jerry and he disappeared into the night. We got home with no other problems and the meat wagon was there to met us as I brought What's Up Doc to a stop. We saw off Lenny and Scotty as the medics put them into the wagon and headed to the base hospital.The Doc said they are ok and will be back with us shortly. Good news all around for us as we piled into the lorry and took off towards the debriefing hut.
Flt Lt Cliff Trimble
Pilot
What's Up Doc?