Target: Berlin — Industry
Date: 29/30 JAN., 1944
Met: Takeoff: clear; over target: heavy cloud
We were first attacked over the North Sea by a ME-110 which hit us many times resulting in a great deal of damage including structural damage to both wings. Also he put a cannon shell into the nose compartment wounding Sgt. Gaining. I decided to carry on with the flight because he claimed he was okay and would be able to perform his task — unfortunately, and with hindsight, my decision was a wrong.
West of Brunswick another two-engine night fighter caught us unawares and put several rounds into us but with little effect except one into the pilot compartment which put a definite chill in the air. Sgt. Worthington (mid-upper gunner) damaged it heavily.
Just before Berlin we were hit again — this time the No. 1 engine was hit but it continued running with occasional vibration and some loss of power. Again the wing (port) structure was hit and also our raft was destroyed.
Over the target we were not caught by the searchlights nor attacked by aircraft — very heavy clouds (10/10)
As we began the bomb run Sgt. Gaining did not respond to my calls. Our flight engineer, F/O Ian Bellworthy, found him unconscious, apparently from a head wound. I had to abort the bomb run and we turned for home.
All was fairly quiet until over western Germany where we encountered a ME-110 which made the mistake of a second tail approach and Sgt. Black sent it down in flames. Again, though, we were hit in the wings; "Flight" couldn't see all the damage, but at this point it was becoming quite worrisome, especially with no raft.
The last attack occurred over Holland and we took several hits, one of which caused "Flight" to say he swore he could see the port wing flapping. I alerted the crew that a bail-out might be necessary, but all said they preferred to take the chance of making it home.
We did. The aircraft had been damaged a great deal, but the worst was that the port wing looked like it was attached to the fuselage with nothing more than a few strips of metal. I had made a mistake by not investigating Nick's wound, or we would not have made a round trip to Berlin for nothing. I have been told just now that his wound, though rendering him unconscious and considered serious, but not life-threatening, and he will fly again tonight — as will our aircraft.
(signed) F/L Jake Fields
Pilot, Morgan Hill
355 Peckham Damage Points!