The crew were keen to give this target a go, but our unhealthy habit of finding Germans over the North Sea continued. The first one was spotted but still got in three good passes damaging control cables. On the German border a second 110 was spotted and this one sprayed the cockpit with fire before being damaged by Sgt Pullman in the nose. Sadly our Engineer Johnie Losey was seriously wounded having been hit in the chest. Finally deep into German territory, an ace 110 pilot showed up catching us by surprise and starting an oxygen fire in the waist. The mid-upper gunner managed to put it out but we were forced down to low level.
Over the target we were held in the searchlights and a wild boar fighter showed up. He managed to start an oil leak in the starboard outer engine, which stopped the engine shortly afterwards. On his second pass, F/O Dennis, now back in the mid upper turret, shot him down. Meanwhile the flak hit us and knocked out the port elevator and injured Sgt Whitling who had moved from his position as W/T op to assist in the engineer's position. I guess there was just too much going on to hope for an accurate bomb release, but never the less Sgt Pullman hit the switch and we turned for home.
Even though we were an easy target at less than 10,00 feet, the return leg passed off without any further fighters, searchlights or flak hits. Landing was straightforward even with only three engines. The only sad part is that Sgt Losey is hospitalised for a considerable time, and will not be able to rejoin our crew.
F/O B. Gibson
Pilot: Home for Christmas