Our first trip to Berlin and not exactly our best show. Sgt James in the rear turret set the tone by spotting a nightfighter whilst mid way across the North Sea. Before we could even commence evasive action he blew it clean out of the sky with his first burst. A second Me110 found us as we crossed the German coast and although the mid upper gunner, F/O Dennis, clearly hit him, he pressed his attack and knocked out the port aileron.
Deep within Germany and just short of the target zone, our luck ran out. Again Sgt James spotted the dark shape of a twin engined fighter closing in on us but somehow all of our defensive fire missed its mark. The fighter's second pass was the one that caused the damage, leaving us with oil streaming out of the starboard inner engine and inoperable bomb bay doors.
It was my decision to abort the mission and turn for home. As we gained sight of the coast again, the engine finally seized completely and we resigned ourselves to a long slow over-sea crossing. Only two German fighters managed to take advantage of our perilous state. The first one completed three passes but failed to score any hits. His colleague was not so lucky, and was shot down by the ever vigilant rear gunner in an exact copy of the first engagement of the night.
Our landing proved entirely uneventful, and the crew remain determined to get this load of bombs back to Germany as soon as possible.
F/O B. Gibson
Pilot: Home for Christmas