Mission 111, 13/14th November 1944
Target: Karlsruhe, Germany.
A.A.R. prepared and submitted by F.O. Bernard Keen
Pilot of Bird of Prey
This trip is a little longer and someone had managed to get some sandwiches wrapped and stowed in the pilot seat for us. All pre-flight checks were okay. The engines gave out a reassuring roar. Weather is fair. Take-off text book. Altitude obtained as planned.
I was late to start this mission as the M.O. had to run a last minute check on me. This did not affect my performance.
Our trip out involved four encounters with Jerry. Two surprise, two unexpected. We took damage but gave some back. (2x-2 and 1x-1). Flak was bad. We lost oxygen in three areas and had two fires that were exstinguished. Our Bombadier had a very near miss (had to use his Rabbit's Foot to avoid SW). This put him off his aim and we failed to hit the target (O%). Returning we lost our mid-upper, Albert Holloway, to a surprise 110. However we did knock him for six (K) as he came back on us.
Landed in nearly one piece. Groundcrew tell us we had plenty of missing bits. 200 on their scale.
We're going to miss Holloway.