Even on the short trip to the Ruhr Valley Home for Christmas managed to attract the attentions of 2 tame boar fighters before reaching the target.
The first one approached unobserved and sprayed the bomb bay with cannon fire. There's nothing like seeing shells ricochet off 1000lb bombs to galvanise the crew into action. F/O Vincent Davis in the mid upper position bagged the blighter as he came in for a second pass, thereby achieving ace status with his 5th kill.
Excited chatter on the intercom was cut short as another 110 found us over the target. This one got in a couple of passes for little damage before Davis and the new tail gunner Sgt Jamie Alder combined to shoot him down.
Both searchlights and flak remained distant enough not to bother us, and with the combination of good weather, Oboe assistance and Sgt Pullman's experience there was no way we were going to miss the markers.
Jerry put in one more appearance on the way home. This time the new tail gunner spotted him approaching and accurate fire bought his evening to a fiery end.
Safely back on the ground the main item on the agenda was whether new boy Jamie with 1½ kills on his first mission, or new ace Vincent with 5½ kills should buy the beer.
F/O B. Gibson
Pilot: Home for Christmas