Pretty quiet flight til we were almost to the target area. Jumped by a ME-110 crew that knew their business. Snuck in on us and knocked out the wireless and damaged the STRBD ammo box. He came back around at 9 High our Mid had a go but missed, but lucky for us so did Jerry. Over the target we were picked up by an ME-110 which caused S/F damage to the STRBD Wing root. We traded shots with him on the second pass but we both missed. Somehow the searchlights didn't pick us up by the Flak did! Tossed us all over the place with 6 well placed hits! S/F Damage to the PW, Waist, S/F damage elsewhere, lost the Port Rudder and our Nav called up to tell us his navigating equipment was U/S. Bugger! Our bomb aimer lined us on target though and held us true with 30% on target! Gave the old girl a quick turn to port to break us out of there. Hoped we would get out unseen, but another ME-110 picked us up half way from the target area and hit us pretty good. Flaps were knocked out, PW Aileron was gone and to top that off out S/W outer main fuel tank was leaking gas. Flt did what he could save some gas. We put our heads together and decided to give a go and get home. Just as we came over the gate and just getting ready to set the wheels down, we ran out of gas! Flt flipped off all the engines and now we had a glider! We just coasted in and I pulled the Reaper off the runway and into the grass. We got out and looked the old girl over. "A bit dicey tonight, eh Skipper?" said Flt. "Aye. It was at that." I replied as we headed back towards the nose. We all sat down and waited for the lorry to come fletch us. I sat back and watched the other chaps land. A few with Red flares coming out as they approached the field. "This was a tough nut for sure." I thought to myself. "Ride's here skipper!," called out one of the gunners. With the walk of old tired men we went and climbed into the lorry. I took the time to light up a cig and with a look in the back made sure the chaps were all there. "Alright old son, takes us home." I told the young corp.
Cliff Trimble
Pilot
The Grim Reaper