From the desk of Roger Bartlett …
We started out on our first mission with both excitement and apprehension. We were excited to finally be giving it to Jerry after all of his London raids; especially in the Huns' own capital. However, we knew that this was a deep raid and a challenging one for our first mission.
Our long trek to Berlin was mostly uneventful until we reached Zone 9. It was here that a Tame Boar surprised us and registered 11 hits. Ten of these hits registered superficial damage on our Port Wing, Starboard Wing, and bombay. However, one of those hits struck and killed William Dickes, our Mid-Upper Gunner. The crew was a bit shaken by this, but being the good flyers that they are, they pressed on.
When we reached our target zone, we found the weather to be bad. As a result, I am regretful to report that our ordnance missed our intended target entirely.
Our return trip started out uneventful until we reached zone five, where we ran into a scrap with a very determined ME-110. It attacked us from 6 o'clock level and registered three hits; the first of which struck and killed our rear-gunner, Archibald Ives. The second struck the SW fuel tank which thankfully self-sealed. The third struck our Port Wing Aileron causing only superficial damage … for the time-being. That same 110 then attacked us again from 3 o'clock level and again registered four hits. This time, it shot out our PW aileron, caused superficial damage to our tail, struck our PW root, and struck out Rear-gunner oxygen causing a brief fire that Radio Operator Sandy MacDonald was able to extinguish with a hand-held extinguisher unit.
The rest of the trip home was quiet and uneventful which was a blessing to us all. Our first mission and we have already lost two crew members. However, we went to the Jerry's homeland and left our calling-card. We let him know that we will be back and we will be tenacious. We owe that much to Bill, and Archie, and their families. They will be missed, but we will persevere. Rest be assured, London Calling will come calling again …