"Morgan Hill" - After Action Report
17/18 March, 1944 - Miss. No. 50
Operation: Detailed against Essen - Industry.
Crew: Pilot: F/L Jake Fields; Bomb aimer Sgt. Randal Beale; Navigator P/O Norm Belling; Flt. Eng. F/L Ian Bellworthy; W/O Sgt. Sean Hemming; Mid-upper Sgt. Rich Dayton; Tail gunner Sgt. Joe Plaice
Weather en route: Clear.
Opposition:
Outbound: No opposition until we were in the target area. A Me-110 attacked as we approached the target but little damage except he knocked out the mid-upper guns and put a few ineffectual rounds into the bomb bay.
Over target: Exceptionally clear. No flak hits and no searchlight, and no further interference until after we bombed. This Me-110 destroyed the raft and did some serious damage to both wings - but not enough to bring us down.
Bomb run: (visual) on: 75%
Inbound: No attacks
Landing: okay.
Assessment of attack: The fact that we encountered no interference after losing the Me-110 undoubtedly aided Randy as he did a great job; many fires concentrated in the target area.
Landing: okay
Crew casualties: None.
A/C and crew will be serviceable for tonight
(Signed) P/O Jake Fields, Pilot, "Morgan Hill"