AAR Mission: 121
Date: 2/3 January, 1945
Target: Nurnburg, Germany, Industry
Aircraft: Sydney's Pride (2nd mission)
Pilot: Alan Baxter
Bomb run: Off; 5%
Sydney's Pride encountered two Schrage Musik fighters on the way to the target — an Me110 just after crossing the German border, the other a Ju88 over Nurnburg. Both concentrated on her port wing but caused negligible damage to the flaps and aileron. Over the target the bomber was bathed by searchlights which attracted an Me109 Wild Boar; it also concentrated on the port wing but only made one effective hit on the root. It was the flak that put paid to Sydney's Pride — one far off burst sent one shard into the starboard inner fuel tank which started a fire that continued. Bail out was ordered by the pilot, Alan Baxter. By this time the bomber was over the target and the bomb aimer, Roley Henderson, elected to stay a few more moments to drop the bomb load before bailing out. All the crew parachuted safely but were quickly rounded up by German security units.
Claims: 0-0-1; Bomb run: Off, 5%
Bomber Damage: Lost over target; fuel tank fire