Beats Walkin'
Operation: Mission 90 — Railway at Dijon
24/25 July, 1944
Crew: Pilot: F/L Jake Houston; Bomb aimer Sgt. Archie Hamm; 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: None until nearly to the target when a 110 attacked and knocked out the a/c heat. On his next pass bomb aimer, Sgt. Archie Hamm put enough rounds into him to throw off his aim and discourage him from coming back for more (FBOA Sgt. Archie Hamm ). He had no sooner been dealt with when another 110 attacked. His first pass he wounded Sgt. Leeland, tail gunner. When he tried a second pass he got his come-uppance when Thomas ended the blighter's flying career (Me 110 Destroyed Sgt. Thomas Leeland). And then as we left the target a third attack was likewise dealt with before he could do any damage, this time by mid-upper Harding (Me 110 Destroyed Sgt. Cecil Harding). (We bombed from 10,000 feet.)
Over the target: No flak damage. Bomb run ON — 20%
Opposition homeward: None; no light flak damage.
Landing: Okay
Crew casualties: light wound - tail gunner Sgt. Thomas Leeland
Comments: The word must have got around to stay clear of Beats Walkin' for we saw no Krauts on the way home. The lads all did a spot-on job.
(signed) F/L Jake Houston, Pilot, Beats Walkin'