Mission 105: Night of 15/16th Oct. 1944
Target: Bremen, Germany.
A.A.R. prepared and submitted by F.O. Bernard Keen
Whilst the weather was poor during take-off we reached our altitude and bearing without trouble. The North Sea was just a dark mass to be seen below,when the cloud system broke.
Although we scanned the skies for some glimpse of Jerry nothing was around. At one point, in Zone 6, Jack Mills is sure he saw a bandit going down in flames maybe 2,000 yards ahead. He reckoned it must have been Thor's Hammer striking a blow; they were in front of us on take-off.
All the searchlight batteries were working, so it seemed. There were plenty of cones seeking us over Bremen. We didn't see any of our guys locked in, fortunately. The Flak was horrenous. The ship was shaken and you could hear the close explosions above the drone of our engines but we didn't take any hits. We locked in for the bomb-run and were able to make our delivery. Plenty of flames were visible and lots of secondary explosions mushrooming as ordnance went up. Flak diminished and searchlights failed to nab us as we made our turn for home.
All was quiet until Zone 4. We didn't know he was there 'til we felt him. A bandit had caught us unawares from 6 low. Only light hits we felt this time but would his aim improve as he came on again? It wasn't to be. Tail Gunner Ray Hope had him in his sights. His burst ripped a line along the ME110's port wing, but the devil still landed a hit to our Tail and one to our PortWing before he skeedaddled, leaving a smoke trail.
"Blighty below", announced Geoff Lee. "Maybe," said Jack Mills up front, "but I can't see a damned thing through this cloud bank." The weather had not eased up on us. The ceiling was low and we came in blind for much of the time. The controls felt a bit off but we put her down safely and soundly.
Ground Crew later advised that damage had been found in Port Wing root and flap. Bomb Bay (we were lucky to have got our load off). Starboard wing holed. Tailplane Port Rudder and Tail control cables frayed. Peckham value assessed as 78. They assured us that she'll be ready for the next Mission.
Respectfully, Flying Officer B.Keen