Beats Walkin'
Operation: Sortie against Aircraft at Tours (M. #72)
May 28/29, 1944
Crew: Pilot: F/L Evan Starling; Bomb aimer F/O Reggie Newhouse; Navigator Sgt. Abe Hanover; Flt. Eng. Sgt. James Prentice; W/O Sgt. Lawrence Peering; Mid-upper Sgt. Osborne Hackswell; Tail gunner Sgt. George Whipple
Opposition outbound: Encountered a Me-110 over the Channel. His first pass he hit the port wing and waist but to no effect. His second pass was from dead ahead and I just had time to see him straighten out towards us when there was a tremendous explosion with the Me, now in bits and pieces, banging against our craft. (Me-110 destroyed: F/O Reggie Newhouse)
The second encounter occurred not far from the target area. Blew away part of my windscreen, hit some control cables (which put 'Flight' to worrying the rest of the trip) and destroyed the raft.
Weather over target: intermittent clouds to target, but clear enough for bombing.
Bomb run: An Me-110 attacked as we turned into the bomb run. He hit us in various places from tail to nose, but the only damage was to the starboard rudder which he managed to put quits to on his third pass — that was just before Sgt. Whipple put quits to his career. (Me-110 destroyed: Sgt Geo. Whipple). We managed to avoid the searchlights; flak was minor and no hits. The bomb run was off, but Reggie estimates we may have put about 5% on target.
Opposition homeward: None
Landing: Okay in spite of a missing starboard rudder.
Crew casualties: None
Comments: None
(signed) F/L Evan Starling, pilot,
Beats Walkin'