This was our roughest mission yet. We didn't see any enemy activity till the target. That is where we thought it was the end. On both sides of the drop point two Me110s surprised us. Between the two fighters there were no less than seven attacks and we took 25 shell hits. Damaging nearly every system on our ship, as well as killing Lieut. Innes and Airman Brice.
Flak was hard hitting as we took seven shell fragments. With one hit causing a run away engine, which I thought we were going force us to hit the silk. But God was on our side today and the engine was shut down and feathered. With all the activity Lieut Webb was unable to hone in the target and we totally missed the aim point.
After leaving the target zone the enemy fighter activity ceased. Which was a good thing with the Mid-Upper Gunner dead and the tail turret inoperable we were sitting ducks.
We found out at the base we had no landing gear so we had to belly it in. The crash landing was as easy as possible and the crew chief said he would have Time to be Hard ready for tomorrow. How I don't know, but he believes in a greater power that can do miracle!
Respectfully,
Flight Officer D.Borelli
Time to be Hard [WE545]