314 Squadron
Mission: 149
25 April, 1945
Target: Berchtesgarten, Government
Lancaster: Terranova Terror (3rd mission)
Our longest flight turned out to be nearly a milk-run. The unfamiliar daylight mission and formation flying was grandly supported by friendly fighter cover the whole way there and back and kept 9 of 11 enemy aircraft off our back. An Fw190 dove on us just before the Alps were reached but it missed us and flew off. Unfortunately at the target the flak saw one burst nearby and it knocked out the tail heat.
It was also disappointing that for the long flight we couldn't get a decent drop on target - probably only 5%. After we left the Alps, as we had such excellent fighter cover and we were close to liberated territory, I decided to drop out of formation to avoid frostbite to our tail gunner. Only one further Fw190 (with a green pilot) attacked made three passes but failed to hit us. Flight on to base went without incident and I made a safe if shaky landing. Damage is repairable by next mission.
Respectfully submitted
Pilot Officer Peter McKinnon