Belligerent Bulldog took off into a starlit sky and assumed our position within the bomber stream. However, the peaceful scene was not to last.
The situation started to heat up once we were over Germany. Passing the Ruhr Francis spotted an Me 110 coming up on our tail. I began evasive action as Francis opened fire. Though Francis missed, Jerry did not, doing superficial damage. His rear gunner proved more effective, killing Sgt Blair outright and starting the port inboard fuel tank afire. I put Belligerent Bulldog into a steep dive that succeeded in extinguishing the fire before any serious damage could be done. The rest of the engagement was uneventful for both sides. Once the Tame Boar left the area Sgt Campbell shifted to the tail guns.
Our next encounter occurred as we approached Munich. This time the Tame Boar got the jump on us, seriously wounding Ian and Lightly wounding Ned before I could employ any evasive maneuvers. On a subsequent pass Jerry took out the heat to the MUT. The cloud cover kept the searchlights from finding us, though a Bf 109 Wild Boar made one pass. As briefed, there was no Ack-Ack and Arthur put 30% of our eggs in the basket. After the bomb run James moved to the tail while Ian was made comfortable as possible near the wireless.
The Ruhr proved to be a busy place as we encountered another Me 110 on our way back home. Fortunately, this time Jerry did little damage. Yet another Tame Boar caught us unawares as we crossed the Dutch border, our first indication being when the Me 110 sprayed us with fire. Jerry damaged the port tailpane root, wing root and flap as well as the starboard elevator and landing gear before flying off unscathed. There were no more encounters, fortunately.
With the starboard landing gear refusing to properly deploy I had to fight to keep Belligerent Bulldog on the straight and narrow so to speak as we set down at Lincoln. The boys in maintenance tell me it will take a few days to patch Belligerent Bulldog up (168 Peckham points), not having her ready until 11 January. The MO says Ned, F/Sgt Jones, can return to flying status a day earlier on 10 January. While Sgt Campbell will live, he'll never fly again. And we will need a replacement for Francis in the tail.
F/O James Tewsbury, Commanding
Belligerent Bulldog