Mission 141 Debriefing
Target: Nürnburg
This mission was approached with dread by the crew of Jenny Bryce in large part due to the distance to the target. We had wheels up on schedule, and our trepidation slowly evaporated as we failed to encounter any opposition. As we lined up for our target run a tame boar jumped us. His first pass caused structural damage to our starboard wing and took out our aileron.
Over the target, enemy searchlights failed to light us up, and no wild boar made an appearance. Jerry hardly needed them given the flak belt we had to fly through. Jenny Bryce took eight shell hits. Luckily, most of them caused only superficial damage including one to the bomb racks, but one shell did take out our landing gear. Despite the battering from the flak we did stay on target, and managed to get at least 50% of our eggs on the target.
We turned for home elated by our luck. The return flight saw much more enemy activity. We were jumped by two bandits. Our defensive fire never touched them, and of the six shell hits, only one caused non-superficial damage. Our rubber raft was shredded.
Landing was a bit hairy without the landing gear, but I managed to get the old bird down safely. I have been informed that aside from the paint job, she will be okay for the next mission. We have been damn lucky this night.
Paul Bard
Flight Officer RAF Bomber Command
March 15, 1945