Sit here, Adolf! - After Action Report (1st Mission)
25/26 March, 1944 - Miss. No. 54
Operation: Detailed against Frankfurt - Industry.
Crew: Pilot: F/L Rick Abbotsford; Bomb aimer F/O Brian Holmes; Navigator P/O Colin Bright; Flt. Eng. Sgt. Ian Bellworthy; W/O Sgt. Sean Hemming; Mid-upper Sgt. Arthur Kingsley; Tail gunner Sgt. Ros Dillon
Weather en route: Clear at takeoff but deteriorated progressively to the target. Moderate - heavy clouds over target
Opposition:
Outbound: Over North Sea Me110 attacked us: two hits into the starboard (wing root?). West of Saarbrucken another Me-110 disabled the nose machinegun, destroyed the starboard tail elevator. On his second pass hit the tail wheel. On his third pass mid-upper Sgt. Kinglsey blew away part of his wing; must have thrown his aim off as he missed entirely and then broke off his attack. (Me-110 FBOA - mid-upper, Sgt. Arthur Kingsley).
Over target: Not caught by the searchlights, no tame or wild boars; flak moderate but no damage.
Bomb run: 30%
Assessment of attack: [This is a new crew (1st mission) and their reports reflect more wonder than objectivity. Note: Int. Off.]
Homeward: Again near Saarbrucken a Me-110: two missed passes and several ineffectual hits.
Landing: A bit dicey with the damaged tail section.
Crew casualties: None
Comments: I think all of us experienced first mission jitters but overall the lads did fine. (Need to improve spotting.)
F/L Rick Abbotsford, pilot