We were expecting Jerry at the Dutch border and when he didn't show we became complacent. This was to prove a mistake.
Somewhere between Essen and Frankfurt a Tame Boar managed to catch Belligerent Bulldog by surprise. Our first warning we were under attack was when 20mm shells came whistling through the cockpit, taking out the interphone in the process. I threw Belligerent Bulldog through a series of maneuvers meant to throw Jerry's aim off, and it worked as Belligerent Bulldog took no further damage before the Me 110 had to break off. Afterward, Ned (F/Sgt Jones) did a physical check on everyone. Ned reported that the lads were all for continuing the mission despite our internal communications problem.
Turning south, we encountered, or I should say, were taken by surprise again, by another Me 110 near Ludwigshaven. This chap seemed to know what he was about, hitting Belligerent Bulldog several times, though for no significant damage, before the encounter was over. Despite being flown by an apparent ace, Arthur (W/O Thomas) managed to nick Jerry's wing.
By now we could see the fires over Pforzheim and I began the descent to attack altitude. The Tame Boars must have been busy with other Lancs as none bothered us on approach. However, the searchlights caught Belligerent Bulldog full on, guiding an Fw 190 Wild Boar to us. James (Sgt Edgecombe) shot up the FW pretty thoroughly and Jerry had to break off the engagement. The Ack-Ack was thick though ineffective, even with the additional help of the searchlights and addition of the low level guns. Still, the buffeting combined with the lack of in plane communications caused Belligerent Bulldog to miss the target.
Heading for home, we were caught by surprise yet again. This time the Tame Boar put a hole in our port outboard fuel tank before running out of ammunition. Ned did some quick calculations and determined there wasn't going to be enough petrol to make it home. Therefore, I put Belligerent Bulldog on a heading for liberated Belgium and a crash landing there.
While Belligerent Bulldog's war is over, the landing was successful enough that all of the lads will be returning to Lincoln to carry on the fight in a new bomber.
F/O James Tewsbury, Commanding
Belligerent Bulldog