The trip out was uneventful. More like a Sunday walk in the country than a combat mission. Nary a sign of Jerry anywhere. That all changed once we reached Bremen.
Sgt Pickering reported an Me-110 trying to sneak up on our tail. Pickering fired and missed and then I sent Country Lass into a series of jinks, dives, and climbs. That 110 pilot must have been an old hand as he hung right with us, peppering us with his fire. F/Sgt Smythe tagged Jerry on one pass and he repaid us by taking out #2 engine. Then we were illuminated by the glare of a searchlight and an Me-109 came for us. Sgt York tagged him and he tagged us, though neither seriously. The Flak was equally ineffective and F/Sgt Smythe put at least 50% of bombs on target. On target egress we were caught unawares by a JU-88. Again I had Country Lass acting more like a London tart. Sgt York did the 88 some serious damage. The Hun's rear gunner got revenge, rendering York's guns inoperable.
Heading for home, and tea, Sgt Pickering spotted another 110 and once again Country Lass danced about the sky, all to no avail. Jerry hit us multiple times, killing Sgt Pickering and tearing up our already useless #2 engine. To add insult to injury, on the 110's final pass his rear gunner hit Pickering's dead body, damaging his suit heater. After the Tame Boar left, Sgt York shifted from his inoperable upper turret to the tail guns, though it proved unnecessary as we encountered no further enemy aircraft.
The landing was unremarkable, though the mood somber as Sgt Pickering's body was removed from Country Lass. While there was little serious damage to the old girl, she was liberally peppered and the estimate is four days before she'll be ready to fly again.
Respectfully submitted,
F/O Reginald Pope, Commanding
Country Lass