AAR Mission: 142
Date: 18/19 March, 1945
Target: Hanau, Industry
Aircraft: Lismore Lass (1st mission)
Pilot: James Morgan
Bomb Aimer: Ralph Penfold, Navigator: Francis O'Connor, Flight Engineer: Bert Matthew, Radio Operator: Vince Phillips, Mid-upper Gunner: Thomas Barton, Tail Gunner: Andrew Bailey
Our first mission was a shocking introduction to bombing over Germany. The flight across the North Sea to Germany went without incident but as we crossed the Dutch/German border a Schrage Musik Me110 surprised us and two shells impacted Lismore Lass' fuselage superficially. I began evasive action but a second pass saw another three hits, once again superficial; a third pass and another series of hits but only one of significance, damaging the starboard wing root.
This shook us out of our complaisancy and we flew into sight of the target without further incident; but on our approach we were encased in searchlight cones. We then experienced our first taste of heavy flak with two bursts quite close which knocked out the port elevator and slightly wounded Bert the flight engineer. Several other pieces of shrapnel peppered the aircraft. We then encountered an Me109 Wild Boar which missed on its first pass, but Tom on the mid-upper had had enough and slammed a good burst into him which appeared to start a fire in its engine and the Jerry dove away. All of this shook us up somewhat and our bomb run was off much to Ralph's chargrin.
The German night-fighters hadn't finished with us yet. Another Me110 surprised us as we left the target but only put another couple of superficial holes in Lismore Lass. Again I evaded and it hit again with an ineffective hole in the starboard wing. But Andy was ready for him as he returned from behind and the four rear MG tore into his port engine and cockpit and the Me110 turned on its back and spiralled down. No time to relax as another 50 miles on a Ju88 appeared but Andy saw him this time and although our fire missed him on all three passes the fighter failed to get any hits on us also. From there to base it was a case of uneasy vigilance but we arrived and landed safely.
Bomb run: OFF; 0%
Bomber Damage: 15 hits (5 from flak); all damage repairable by tomorrow. Bert Matthews wound is not serious and he will be ready for the next mission