As we took off, my mind was on last night with Ann and the chaps at our local pub, The Crow. I smiled remembering how lovely she looked walking in. Her smile and wave as she saw me … BAM BAM BAM … what the ???!!! bright red tracers going past the canopy as I put the ship into a tight turn to port. Shouting on the intercom … "Wakey Wakey Skipper!!" The lads chatted over the intercom. No sign of Jerry. Ok then, back to business … I could feel the cold sweat on my forehead and running down my neck. "sorry chaps". I felt the Flt Eng tap me hard on the shoulder and I turned, He wagged his finger at me and gave me that look. A quick nod and I turned around scanning the instruments. Twice more we were picked up by ME-110's but these must have been new to the game as they were spotted by our tail guner who managed to damage one of them. Over the target we were again surprised, this time it looked like a JU-88, we were hit twice, but luck was with us as we took S/F damage and a hit to the SW Root. The other two times we both missed. A bit strange not having to fly through flak, but it was pretty quiet and we put in what we felt was a good effort. At bombs gone I put the ship into a hard port turn and got us out of there. I think we pissed jerry off because we picked up a ME-110 coming in and caused S/F damage to the tail and I lost the SW Aileron. On the second pass he caused S/F damage to the bomb bay. Our Mid managed to damage him and he seem to be loosing bits of his port engine as he dived away. Quiet the rest of the trip until the coast, where we got picked up by a ME-110, but everyone one missed and we headed home. It was good to see the field again as I brought the ship down for a smooth landing. After shut down we all piled out and waited for our ride. The lads were a bit sore at me, but soon we were right again. "Drinks on you Skipper!" they called out. I smiled and told them, "Alright Lads you win!" "Rides here!" and we slowly piled in, lost in our thoughts on the ride back to the debriefing. It was here that we learned a PR Mossie brought back pictures of the strike and we had 95% on target!
Flt Lt Cliff Trimble
Pilot
What's Up Doc