Nightmare
Operation: Mission 96 — Railway at Orléans
Date: 20/21 August, 1944
Crew: Pilot: F/L Chris Bevin; Bomb aimer Sgt. Ernie Whitbread; Navigator Sgt. Bob Starling; Flt. Eng. Sgt. 'Rip' Higgins; W/O Sgt. Tom Clarion; Mid-upper Sgt. Neal Harding; Tail gunner Sgt. Thomas Boland
Opposition outbound: Encountered Me-110 over the Channel: we were hit repeatedly but the only effects were a light wound to the tail gunner and the starboard aileron was rendered useless.
Over the target: Picked up by a searchlight and subsequently attacked by a Me-109 which was less than enthusiastic about its attack as we were missed entirely (perhaps bit off his game due to the extremely heavy flak). On target — 20%
Opposition homeward: None
Landing: Okay
Crew casualties: Tail gunner Sgt. Thomas Boland: light wound
Comments: None
(signed) F/L Chris Bevin, Pilot