BANCHEE encountered two enemy nightfighters on our flight to Ludwigshaven. Both surprised us, Sgt. Pommery, our Upper Turret gunner, blasted one of them and neither one of the Jerrys did any serious damage to us except for a bullet or shell fragment that grazed Sgt. Pommery's right arm.
Over the target city, we were hit by searchlights, bringing on an attack by another Jerry night fighter. This Me109 came at us, but was chased off by defensive fire by Bomb Aimer Sgt. Robert Simpson. Sgt. Simpson also put 30% of our bombs on our primary target.
We also encountered several jerry night fighters on the flight home, one of whom shot up our starboard wing, causing our landing gear to become inoperable. After arrival at our aerodrome, I polled the crew about going in for landing or bailing out over the field. They chose to bail out (all landed safely, thanks to those lovely lasses who pack our chutes!). I brought Banchee in with only the port wheels down, but a wicked crosswind hit me and dug the starboard wing into the turf, wrecked Banchee. Our crew chief says she is now just good for parts. I was uninjured, physically in this landing.
With a new aircraft, the crew will be ready for our next mission.
Respectfully Submitted,
Charles Eddiestone, F.O., RAF