On the route out when we neared the Dutch coast, a Me 110 sneaked up unspotted from underneath us and played his Jazz Music. He hit the left wing and bomb bay, but we took only superficial damage. He attacked again. He found us even though I was flying evasive action. This time he attacked from 7 low and fired his machine guns and cannons and scored nine hits on Lovely Louise. Tail Gunner William Hartford was killed and the heat was knocked out in the waist and nose. We couldn’t fire at this guy and he fired again before disappearing, after his rear gunner fired a burst. He hit the right wing and destroyed the aileron. He must have lost us on his radar.
Bomb Aimer Peter Reynolds moved to the heat in the Tail, but Mid Upper Gunner Thompson stayed at his station. Heat out in two compartments and the bomb release controls damaged and 300 miles to Berlin … It was a long way to go. I decided to go to 10000 feet and return to base.
Landing went well even though the tail wheel was damaged.
Signed,
Howard Wharton
Howard Wharton, Pilot — Lovely Louise