Beats Walkin'
Operation: Mission 80 Dijon (Railway)
21/22 Jun, 1944
Crew: Pilot: F/L Jake Houston; Bomb aimer F/O Reggie Newhouse; Navigator Sgt. Abe Hanover; Flt. Eng. Sgt. Ormond Pearling; W/O Sgt. Brian Hostler; Mid-upper Sgt. Cecil Harding; Tail gunner Sgt. Thomas Leeland
Opposition outbound: The first Me-110 attack came as we entered France - it was his last attack because on his second Mid-upper gunner, Sgt. Cecil Harding shot him down (Me-110 Destroyed). He had done no damage. The next attack (again a 110) attacked us about halfway to the target: hit us very hard in the port wing knocking out No. 1 engine, ailerons and destroyed the landing gear. Just before the target was another 110; he put rounds into the waist but fortunately none hit a bomb. On his second pass Bomb aimer, Sgt. F/O Reg. Newhouse blew him out of the sky (Me-110 Destroyed).
Weather over target: Poor
Flak: Light - no hits
Bomb run: Leeland spotted a Ju-88 coming from below and fired accurately enough that he made no pass at us.
On; 40%
Opposition homeward: Leaving the target another 88 attacked and knocked out No. 2 engine and put rounds into the wing root. (I was told on landing that there was major damage to both wing roots — probably by this Ju.) After this, over the coast a Me-110 attacked but either his sights were off, or his heart wasn't in it for he missed on three passes.)
Landing: Okay, in spite of having no landing gears, Eng.'s No. 1 and 2 out and no ailerons. (I had given the crew the opportunity to bail out, but they stayed with me.)
Crew casualties: None
Comments: Seemed the return flight went on forever — probably me worrying about the landing, but all ended okay …
(signed) F/L Jake Houston, Pilot
Beats Walkin'