Strawberry Girl's first mission contained a little bit of everything that Jerry could muster. Tames boars, wild boars, searchlights & flak all made an appearance at some stage, but Strawberry Girl sailed through unscathed.
The tame boar was a Ju88 that showed up in the target area, failed to score a hit and was driven off by Sgt Crews in the nose gunner's position. The searchlights picked us out but then the flak and a 109 wild boar failed to hit us.
We had held straight & level through these attacks and were rewarded with a clear sight of the markers and an on target bomb release.
During the final leg over the North Sea, a 110 tried to approach unseen but Sgt Parton spotted him from the rear turret and blew him apart with his first burst.
Back on the ground, seven tired, still scared but slightly wiser aircrew risked the odd smile & joke as they gathered for a cuppa ….
F/O Hugh Gowers [pilot: Strawberry Girl]