This was our maiden mission and it proved to be a baptism by fire. If nothing else, it bears witness to the fact that Jerry isn't ready to roll over and play dead just yet.
As we crossed the German coast Pint O' Bitter was caught by surprise by a Bf 110 Tame Boar. The first indication of Jerry's presence was when 20mm shells tore into the port wing root and Andrew's (F/Sgt Mowbrey) chest. I put Pint O' Bitter through her paces, keeping Jerry from doing any more damage. Eventually the Tame Boar tired of the game and left.
The incident did serve to heighten the crews' alertness and Peter (Sgt Blair) noticed a Ju 88 approaching as we neared Kiel. Peter fired and missed. Once again I put the old girl through her paces, though it didn't keep Jerry from hitting us. The Tame Boar damaged both wings, though only superficially. Peter announced he had been hit but as able to soldier on. The searchlights missed us, but not so the Ack-Ack. We were almost through the Ack-Ack when several shells burst near enough to rattle Pint O' Bitter about. Harry (W/O Parks) reported that the bomb bay doors wouldn't open, rendering the whole flight pointless. When Peter didn't answer the check call I had Harry go back to check on him. The results weren't good; Peter's body torn apart by the Ack-Ack shrapnel. I instructed Harry to stay aft, deeming the tail guns of greater value than those in the nose.
Back over the North Sea Harry reported another Ju 88 trying to catch us napping. Harry must have wanted revenge for Peter, hitting Jerry bfore I commenced a series of jinks and turns. The Tame Boar was persistent, which proved his undoing as Arthur (Sgt Pope) caught the 88 full in the cockpit. The Tame Boar did a wing over and plunged into the icy waters below with a very satisfying splash.
I brought Pint O' Bitter home to Lincoln. The mechanical lads ay they'll have her patched up in time for the next mission (88 Peckham Points). Andrew will live, but won't fly again. Peter was less fortunate. We'll be needing a new Engineer and Tail Gunner.
F/Sgt Victor Harris, Commanding
Pint O' Bitter