Sir,
Reporting for aircraft and crew on Mission103(No2for Bird of Prey)on 1st Oct. 1944 to Wanne Eickel.
Regretably our Mid-Upper Gunner Flt.Sgt. Alec Granger has been killed in action. We encountered in Zone5, in bound, an Me110 that surprised us from 6 O'clock low. Of his burst four hits were ineffective, just superficial, but the last one completely took out the turret and Alec along with it: it was over very quickly.
The Jerry never followed up his advantage, our Friends chased him off. Let's hope they caught up with him and balanced the scales.
Ironically we had suffered nothing else in the Mission even though we were buzzed by three Me 109's and hit by Flak over target.
Leading in we thought we might not be spotted. With the good weather we could easily make out the target but it also made it easy for Jerry to see us. We got all lit up then felt the impact of Flak hits. It was heavy Flak but when damage report came over the intercom there was nothing of consequence.
Bombadier Mills reported "Bombs Away" and we expected a good result. The zero result is inexcuseable.
Report concluded.
Respectfully,
F.O. Bernard Keen