Flew most of way to designated target with no enemy opposition. As we neared Germany, three Fw190s came at us; one was chased away by one of our escorting fighters and the other two made firing passes at us. We were hit, one shell setting the tail oxygen aflame. The fire was put out by Sgt. Lister who fortunately had two extinguishers back there with him.
PO MacLean descended to about 5000m elevation due to Sgt. Lister's oxygen being out.
On approach to target, we were hit by flak, knocking out engine 1 and wounding PO MacLean (mouth — cut lips, knocked out three teeth). MacLean screamed and spit blood, but the lad stayed at his post, keeping our bomber steady for me to put our bombs on target (estimated 30% on).
No flak on exit, several more Fw's were seen at a distance with our escorting lads going after them. However, as we approached the German/Dutch border, several BF 109's came at us. One was bounced by one of our fighters and they dove away. The second 109 hit us, destroying the oxygen in the waist position and hitting PO MacLean in the abdomen and hip. MacLean passed out (aerocraft was quickly put on autopilot by Sgt. Knowles (Engineer) and Knowles took MacLean's place at the pilot position. That Jerry 109 came at us again, and was shredded by Sgt. Smith's mid upper guns. That fighter just disintegrated and no parachute was seen.
We made it back to base, with myself and most of the crew parachuting out before Sgt. Knowles tried to land the aerocraft. They didn't make it, crashing on the edge of the runway.
Respectfully Submitted (with input from the air crew)
George Wallace, Sgt, RAF Bomber Command