This was our first mission. We didn’t see any fighters at all until we were over the target at Wilhelmshaven. Two waves attacked. Two 190s, one 109 and a JU88. JU 88 appeared to drop bombs which exploded near our squadron, some TOO NEAR in my opinion. The fighters attacked after the rain of bombs. Some 109s seemed to have their wings on fire. Two large flashes and then puffs of air was seen by my crew.

The 190 from 12 low hit us. A Walking hits damaged the oxygen system for the co-pilot and wounded two crew men, but not seriously. He came around for a second attack from 12 high. Sergeant Sherman in the top turret put a well-aimed burst into his engine and it spun out of control. He claims it as a KIA. Tail gunner Sergeant Hammer claims his ju 88 as a KIA. It was going down with an engine on fire and a parachute was seen.

Another Ju 88 attacked from 1.30 low and a lone 109 from 3 low, but after falling bombs and those puffs of smoke originating from the 109s. Our defensive fire was ineffective. The ju 88 hit us in the left wing and the bomb bay, but he made only holes in our bomber. When he came around for a second attack he tried to approach us from 6 high, but Sergeant Sherman put another well-placed salvo into the cock-pit. There is no question about it: He went down and Abe claims him as a KIA also.

Flak hit the right wing on the bomb run and we were completely off target. We turned around at the Rally Point and were attacked by a lone 109 from 6 high. Right wing aileron was hit and the control cables in the waist. Abe in the top turret hit him when he was cling in for his second attack on us. Sergeant Sherman claims this a probable.

We left the target zone and had some mechanical problems with the aileron. It seems that the hit was more serious than we first suspected.

The flight back was very quiet, we didn’t see any more bandits and the landing went with well even though we had problems with the ailerons.

 Signed by

Eric Taylor