314 Squadron
Mission: 144
Target: Lutzkendorf, Oil
Lancaster: The Lucky Bunyip (1st mission)
Our first mission. The flight to the target was without incident. No searchlight picked us up but a Fw190 caught us before the bomb run; it only put one superficial hole in the tail area. In spite of a clear view of the target area, no searchlights interfering, and light flak nowhere near us, our inexperience showed and we were unable to claim any hits on the target (and we can't blame the poor weather either).
As The Lucky Bunyip left the target a Schrage Musik equipped Ju88 surprised us and knocked out the port brake. I went into evasive manoeuvres and two other passes had him put a hole in the pilot compartment wall. After that we saw no further sign of the enemy and landed safely at base in spite of the port brake problem.
Respectfully submitted
Pilot Officer Peter McKinnon