HOP'N MAD!
Target: Coastal Guns at Île de Cézembre
Date: Aug. 6, 1944
To Target: One attack (a Me-109) just before the target. He hit us a couple times — we got holes in the waist to prove it — but the only real damage was he knocked out No. 1 engine.
Target: A lot of flak but we didn't get any of it that I know of. Somebody said from the photos Terry got us 30% on target.
Return: No attacks.
Victories: None
Notes: I can tell you, the lads had the wind up — our first mission and we were slotted in as tail-end-Charlie! We heard experienced crews talking about day bombing and none of them liked it; here it was our first bloody mission, you know, all of us as new as Beelzebub's baby and we figured we would be sticking out like some great target with bloody bull's eyes painted all over us. There was no need to remind the lads to look out for Jerry, from the almost incessant intercom chatter it was obvious they were keyed up; I had to remind them a half-dozen times to put a lid on it. And then just before bombing we met up with one 109 — I mean that was the only Jerry to have a go at us, but he put quits to No. 1 engine which I was able to feather. I figured we were in for it now, dragging along behind everyone and on three engines, but Jerry didn't come up after us and I think it was 'cause the escorts kept them busy. I don't know, but I think the first fighter pilot I see I'll stand him a proper pint — God bless 'em!
(Signed) F/O Harry Maguire, Pilot
Pilot: F/O Harry Maguire
Bomb aimer: Sgt. Terrence Reilly
Flight engineer: P/O Henry Beams
Navigator: P/O Roger Skelton
W/O operator: Sgt. Thomas Herald
Mid-upper gunner: Sgt. Paul Monksford
Tail gunner: Sgt. Jake Weathers