"If I'd wanted to spend that much time at sea I'd have joined the bloody Navy" was the considered view of Sgt Tim Richmond as he was hauled out of the North Sea. Looking round as the entire crew of seven stood dripping onto the deck of the rescue tender, there was no doubt that we had all had a lucky escape.
Initially during the trip, spirits were high. The first tame boar proved to be such a poor shot that we were never in any danger and Sgt Duggins in the mid upper claims to have damaged him as he departed. Sgt Hilliard in the rear turret spotted a second intruder and shot him down with his first burst. A third 110 then showed up and this one seemed to know his business. His second pass tore a hole in the starboard outer fuel tank and simultaneously shredded the life rafts.
We were by this time just west of Bremen, still 100 miles short of Berlin. Rapid calculations by our engineer Sgt Waldon showed that although only a single tank was leaking there was no way we would reach England even if we turned back immediately. Carrying on to bomb Berlin would have entailed bailing out whilst still over Germany. On my decision, we turned for home.
With no life rafts available, every man was given the option of bailing out whilst still over land. No one wanted to see out the war as a POW and we all stuck it out eventually ditching some 150 miles North East of Norwich.
On a positive note we were able to put the time spent together, clinging to the wreckage, to good use. Collectively we selected the name of our next Lanc; No Complaints.
F/O Sam Tulley (Pilot, Defiant Revenge).