This was bit of a rough go for us but with rather unexpected results. We were hit by Jerry as soon as possible. Fortunate for us Harry Downing spotted the initial fighter as it attacked and destroyed the port wing. The enemy went down spinning.
The next go resulted in a surprise attack by another ME 110. The first two passes missed us and on the third Upton scored his second kill by blasting the tail of the enemy as it came in.
We were hit by another fighter as we came over the coast. It surprised us and managed to damage the port wing root and actually scored a hit on our bombs but, thank God, they didn't go off. Bit of a miracle, that! The next run in also scored a hit on the bomb bay but only did some superficial damage. On the next pass our port elevator was knocked out.
The target zone was the quietest so far for us. No fighters seen, no hits by flak, and a spot on, bomb run. Still not sure how we managed it but Morgan did an exceptional job putting the bombs on target.
As we came back over the coast our fighter friends came back to play. The first couple passes either missed or did some superficial damage but on the second attack they got Harry, our tail gunner. Fortunate it was only a minor wound caused by a shot grazing his foot. Painful, but he'll be back soon.
This fighter also scored a shot on the pilot compartment. It took Blair, flight engineer, in the neck. Between the damage to both carotid artery and jugular vein he was dead before we could do anything. Rather a rough flight from here on because of the frozen blood on the windscreen.
Another fighter hit us just before coming back over old England. Harry spotted it and was able to get enough shots into her to smash the canopy. She went down quickly, without firing a shot.
Landing was a bit rough due to the above mentioned windscreen obstruction but managed to get down safely.
We lost a good man, one of our original crew but at least we did some damage to the enemy in the process.
Submitted F/SGT Griffin