Our first mission! Flew to target without seeing a single Jerry. Over target city, no searchlight, no fighters … but bloody weather, we appeared to be "off target."
As turned for home, Jerry showed up, surprising us and hitting us hard; holed portwing outboard fuel tank and as we found out later, punched holes in our raft too! Jerry made another pass at us, hit us, but apparently did no serious damage.
Another Jerry found us over North Sea, but did no serious damages. WT Operator Cpl. Edmund in touch with emergency command since we haven't the petrol to get us back to land. Recd. instructions to fall in circling pattern at 1000 m altitude, fire flare and wait for reply. With fuel tanks running dry, saw signal from below, turned for it and tried to ease aerocraft into the sea. She bounced a couple of times and turned about 60 degrees after wing hit wave. Sgt. Turner quickly fired another flare and thankfully, about a minute later a rescue craft nudged up to us. We found W/T operator Edmund had got a nasty crack on the head in the landing and he was semi-conscious. Rescue raft got us into rescue craft and as I turned to see QUEEN ANNE'S REVENGE, she slid underwater with an impressive burst of bubbles. On craft, got a blanket and mug of rather watery tea; but it was hot.
We arrived at Great Yarmouth and were put on train and eventually returned to base. Sgt. Edmund was sent to hospital in Great Yarmouth.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ronald Bradenton, F.O. RAF
Bomber Pilot