After a quiet outward trip,we approached the target,whereupon we were picked up by searchlights and subjected to a flak barrage which caused some damage to the starboard wing and port rudder,none of it serious.A single engined fighter then attacked from ahead,raking the fuselage from stem to stern,luckily causing little damage apart from knocking out the bomb aimer's heating supply.
Having shaken off the searchlights and the fighter, we commenced our bomb run but despite the good visibility and clear marking,we were off target.
As we left the target and descended to find warmer air, we were attacked by a twin engined fighter from below and behind which again caused no serious damage.Two more attacks both missed.
Crossing the Dutch/German border,we were hit by flak again in both wings,knocking out the starboard aileron and further into Holland were hit yet again by flak, this time more seriously - the starboard outer engine was knocked out and the port inner fuel tank was holed.Finally,as we crossed the Dutch coast,a final burst of flak caught us,knocking out the starboard flaps and damaging the control cables.
Signed F/Sgt Simpson (pilot) 314 Sqn.
Peckham points 156.