Heading over the enemy coast I remembered the skippers reaction to us being tail in charlie. "Christ … not us again." to which the CO replied what's that? Our skipper stood up and smiled. "Delighted Sir, truly delighted" that got a chuckle from the group and a smile from the old man. Sitting in my mid turret peering thru my US sunglasses … a gift from my cousin … I was amazed at seeing our formation. what a sight! Stranger still seeing friendly Spits flying cover for us. Over the target 3 FW-190's came at us with only one breaking thru from 3 High. I gave him a burst but missed and he scored SF Damage to the tail. Over the target we took 4 hits from the heavy flak with SF Damage to the Bomb bay and Port Wing with the Starboard Rudder taking a hit. Despite the flak our new bomb aimer Flt Lt Phil Taylor managed to get 40% on target. On the way out we followed the rest of the formation out and were picked up by 4 FW-190's 2 were driven off, one missed and I nailed the one coming in from 9 High.
We landed with no issues and for once Chiefy was not made at us.
C Trimble, Mid Upper
Flt Sgt
Hell's Bells