AAR Mission: 139
Date: 8/9 March, 1945
Target: Hamburg, Naval
Aircraft: Burke and Beyond (10th mission)
Pilot: William Farnham
Bomb Aimer: Henry Prentise, Navigator: Vern Bolland, Flight Engineer: Trevor Monash, Radio Operator: George Harris, Mid-upper Gunner: Dennis Tryon, Tail Gunner: Anthony D'Witt
Only one night-fighter attacked us on the flight to Hamburg. A Ju88 jumped us as we sped across the water on our way to Germany. Tony didn't see it till too late and it hit us, but fortunately only two superficial Holes in the waist. I went into evasive manoeuvres but this bloke was good; he put another four holes in us, but only one was effective, causing a light wound to Tony's left shoulder; the enemy fighter missed on a third run in then flew off.
The approach to the target was without incident and the searchlights failed to pick us up. The flak was light and way off. No wild boar put in an appearance either, so Henry had a clean run to the target. How he failed to find the target with our bombs, we still can't fathom.
Tailing Henry's curses we turned for home and left the target area without trouble but at the coast another Ju88 appeared spotted by Tony — it was missed. This fighter was as good as the first. Evasion was the order of the night but three holes appeared — one in the starboard wing and two in the tail. On another pass it put another hole in the starboard wing and one in the bomb bay; we couldn't get a burst into him from any direction but he failed on a third pass and departed.
The rest of the flight was uneventful and we landed safely at base after daybreak.
Bomb run: Off; 0%
Bomber Damage: 11 hits (none from flak). All hits to bomber superficial. Tony's wound received a light dressing and no rest time is required. Repairs by tomorrow.