AAR Mission: 127
Date: 28/29 January, 1945
Target: Stuttgart, Germany, Industry
Aircraft: Geelong (1st mission)
Pilot: Stephen Forbes-Hampton
Bomb aimer Harold Morgan
Navigator Trevor Stevens
Flight Engineer Fred McKinley
Radio Operator Thomas Torrens
Mid-upper gunner John Moreley
Tail gunner Kenny Kelly
Bomb run: ON; 30%
Stuttgart was our first mission with 314th squadron and it all seemed to be a cake-walk until we reached the target city itself. We must have become a bit lax as a 110 surprised us and put three holes in Geelong causing no serious damage, but the one on the bomb-bay gave us a fright. As we were about to start our bomb run I couldn't evade and he hit us again — twice on the port wing; but again no serious damage. A third pass by this fighter saw no further hits.
Then the searchlights picked us up, as did the flak and a Wild Boar Me109. The flak hit us twice, one on the port tail-ammo rails. But Hal had good luck in bringing down the fighter in flames; he then capped this with a good bomb run putting 30% on the target.
Leaving the target another Tame Boar 110 picked us up without being seen again — the fires and searchlights had played havoc with our night vision. He hit us but only two superficial in the waist. I began evasive action but John up top managed to severely damage him which caused him to miss and fly off. From there the flight home was uneventful and we landed safely at base. Repairs are minimal and Geelong will be ready for operations tomorrow night.
Claims: 1-1-0. Bomb aimer Harold Morgan 1xNJg109 destroyed; Mid-upper John Moreley 1xNJg110
Bomber Damage: 9 hits (2 from flak) Starboard aileron hit (NE), Port aileron hit (NE), Tail-guns port ammo rack hit, 6 superficial; repairable by tomorrow.