Beats Walkin'
Operation: Mission 85 Dijon (Railway)
14/15 July, 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: Just as we joined up with the other crews we were hit by a Me-110; destroyed the starboard elevator; and when he returned for a second attempt our nose gunner destroyed him. (Me-110 Destroyed — F/O Reggie Newhouse) Shortly after he had been disposed of we were attacked by another Me-110 which knocked out our port wing flap. As we started the bomb run a third attack, this time a M3-109 and Reggie got his second Kraut for the night (Me-109 Destroyed — F/O Reggie Newhouse)
Flak: Moderate. We were hit by flak over the target and the w/o operator was slightly wounded by shrapnel.
Bomb run: On — estimated 40% on target
Opposition homeward: None
Landing: Spot-on
Crew casualties: W/O Sgt. Brian Hostler — light wound
Comments: None, except to mention that our nose gunner got two E/A and the second was a wild boar just as he was starting his bomb aiming — and he put 40% on target!
(signed) F/L Jake Houston, Pilot Beats Walkin'