314 Squadron
Mission: 148
16/17 April, 1945
Target: Pilsen, Railway
Lancaster: Terranova Terror (2nd mission)
What an exhausting mission; out to the extreme range and back and under attack through five zones on the way to the target. On top of that we had to suffer the attention of low level flak from before the target back to friendly territory. A surprise attack by an Me110 piloted by an Ace as we crossed the German border set the tone. He managed only three hits, all superficial, although one on the bombs caused us to jump. This fighter was damaged by Dick Edwards the bomb-aimer on its third pass.
We had a chance to calm down for a while then we were surprised again by an Me110 which scored three superficial hits - two on the port wing and another frightening one on the bombs. Almost as soon as he left, a Ju88 surprised us hitting four times, but again three were superficial one for no effect on #4 engine — and again one in the bomb bay; but the fourth knocked out the tail gunner's suit heater. As we reached the Czech border another Me110 struck but this one we spotted; I was evading and we were missing each other until it made a third pass from 12:00-level when Dick brought it down with hits on the cockpit and port engine. I had to drop to 10,000 feet to prevent Alec Trackson getting frostbite so we came at the target from low level.
Some low level tracer missed us but it made us obvious to a Tame Boar Me110 which surprised us again, but he only managed two superficial and even
though I was not evading because of our bomb run he did not achieve any further hits; but Alec on the tail guns made up for his poor spotting by seriously damaging the fighter and he disappeared on fire. Our contest must have alerted the searchlights as they succeeded in coning us. Luckily the target flak was light and we suffered no hits. But an Me109 Wild Boar saw us; on a second pass it holed the starboard inner fuel tank which thankfully
self-sealed and disabled the starboard elevator. Bill Wickers on the mid-upper damaged it on a third pass.
In spite of the attacks by the two fighters and flak we made a reasonable bomb run and we determined we were 30% on target. We turned for home and were followed by low level tracers. We left the target area without meeting another Tame Boar.
Tracer seemed to follow us all the way. We had flown about 100 miles back into Germany when one burst caused another two superficial holes. This was followed almost immediately by a surprise attack by a Ju88 and again two superficial hits on the bomb bay and port wing. After this fighter we only suffered the ministrations of the low level flak which caused us on further damage. Back at base in fine weather and clear sunshine I managed a perfect landing.
I think we were lucky that none of the night fighters encountered were equipped with Schrage Musik. Damage is repairable by next mission.
Respectfully submitted
Pilot Officer Peter McKinnon