We were probably not more than half way across the North Sea before the first nightfighter found us. Although we spotted him, he managed to press home three attacks, the net result being that our navigation equipment was rendered inoperative. Although this slowed our progress, only one further fighter was encountered enroute. Just as we crossed the coast a 110 closed in on us unspotted and although we felt some hits, there was no noticeable damage.
Over Brunswick, and in spite of the cloud cover, the searchlights picked us up. In came a 109 but the tail gunner dispatched him before he got a shot off. We stayed straight and level throughout this attack but still failed to identify the markers and bombed on dead reckoning. Having turned for home, an unspotted 110 got in a burst that sprayed the waist area for no real effect. The bomb aimer, only recently back in his turret, than managed to down the 110 before any further damage could be done.
Whilst leaving the German coast, the tail gunner spotted another 110 attempting to manoeuvre into our blind spot and shot him down before he caused us any trouble.
The rest of the sea crossing proved uneventful.
Mention must be made of Sgt James’ performance in the rear turret. The two enemy a/c that he shot down this trip more than made up for the spraying fire / jammed guns incident last time out. [28 damage points].
F/O B. Gibson
Pilot; Home for Christmas