The mission went quietly until a Bf 110 Tame Boar caught us by surprise as we crossed the German coast. Our first indication was the loud chattering and light display around the #4 engine. Apparently Jerry was equipped with their Schrage Musik. Fortunately, for all the fuss, Witch O' the Moonlight took only superficial damage. I immediately threw the old girl into a series of maneuvers meant to throw Jerry's aim off and deny him the use of his rear gun. As Jerry came in for a second pass Arthur, W/O Thomas, hit him with the nose guns. The 110 went down like a comet with a fiery tail.
Approaching Hamburg, we could see the fires from the previous bombers' work. The extra illumination helped Roger, Sgt Bandman, spot a Ju 88 Tame Boar trying to sneak up on our tail. Roger fired but missed. As we were going into the bomb run I couldn't deviate from course. Jerry let fly with his rear guns as he passed underneath, but missed. The 88 made a few more passes, tagging us once with his rear gun while James, Sgt Edgecombe in the MUT returned the favor. I was almost blinded by the glare of the searchlights as they caught Witch full on. With Witch O' the Moonlight lit up, it was no problem for an Fw 190 Wild Boar to find us. This guy was good, scoring ten hits and wounding Sgt Robert Russell, the wireless operator, before breaking off the attack. At first Bobby thought he'd been hit seriously, but it turned out to be minor (used a personal rabbit's foot). Jerry also managed to take out the controls for feathering the props. Fortunately, we didn't need them this mission. The Ack-Ack was light though persistent, but failed to hit Witch. Arthur called, "Bombs away!" and I turned for home. Roger said it looked like 30% effects on target.
The flight home was uneventful with a safe landing at Lincoln. Bobby will need a couple of days to recover, as will Witch O' the Moonlight (100 Peckham Points). Both should be returned to duty by 11 March.
F/O James Tewsbury, Commanding
Witch O' the Moonlight