We didnt fool Jerry at all as we crossed the coast I missed a ME-110 coming in and he got 2 hits on the SW, knocking out the SW Aileron. He came back around from 10:30LVL and our bomb aimer had a go knocking some pieces off of him and caused him to break off. Flying deeper in we got picked up again, bloody hell these guys are good! I was cursing at them as this one got hits in the Nose and Pilot Compartment, knocking out both the NE guns and the heat. Skipper put us in a dive below 10,000 feet and I spotted tracer coming up here and there as Jerry on the ground was having a go at us. The next attack I saw and yelled out a warning to the skipper as I fired my guns, I thought it was going to be enough but the tail took heavy damage, 2 hits to the port rudder and I my turret became U/S. This guy was a pro as he came in from 10:30 lvl and scored hits in the SW, PC and BB, We lost #4 engine (got it shut down), the SW took a root hit, control cables were hit and Mike Mann our Flt Eng was lightly wounded in the arm. Jerry did his job well as the skipper took account of our damage and had our bomb load dropped on some farmer's field. Putting the ship in a slow turn we turned back for home. We didnt see anything until we hit the French coast and a ME-110 came roaring in and caused S/F damage to the tail, PW Inboard fuel tank was hit, but it sealed, and S/F damage. He must have been low on fuel and left us alone. Skipper got us down despite our damage and we were a sorry bunch as we piled out of ship. I got out and went back to my turret and counted the holes in the Port Rudder and saw how close some of those hits were to my turret. The meat wagon came and got Flt and we should see him soon. The ground lads just shook their heads as they look at our #4 engine and the wings. A night best to forget..
Cliff Trimble
Tail Gunner
My Darling