Beats Walkin'
Operation: Sortie against coastal guns at St. Martin de Varreville (M. #74)
June 5/6, 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. Thomas Leeland
Opposition outbound: Over the channel a Me 110 caught us unawares. Knocked us about a bit including putting paid to No. 3 engine. I thought about turning back, but the lads, to a man, said they wanted to continue because if the invasion was happening they wanted to have their oar in.
Weather over target: poor,
Bomb run: We managed to avoid the searchlights; flak was minor and no hits. The bomb run was on, estimated 30% on target
Opposition homeward: None
Landing: Spot-on
Crew casualties: None
Comments: With all the activity it's obvious something is happening and the lads have a lottery for when the invasion begins; all of them are betting it is has started, or will within the next day or two.
(signed) F/L Evan Starling, pilot,
Beats Walkin'