Mission 8 - Stuttgart - AAR

Our flight was without incident until we were about 50 miles from the target. A Me110 surprised us coming in from below and shot the ship up. Flight Officer Gardner was able to knock him out of the sky as he attempted a second go at us. A short time later another Me110 made another run at us shooting up both wings. We lost the #1 engine and started leaking fuel from the port outboard wing tank. Sgt DelGado managed to return the favor shooting (FBOA) Jerry up and he failed to return. When we started our bomb run a Me109 came at us and shot up the tail and waist. His attack disrupted our bombing run and the bombs fell wide of the target. The enemy fighter made another pass knocking out the oxygen and guns in the tail, before we lost him. After that we dropped to a lower altitude and started our run for home. Flight Officer Lane calculated with the rate of fuel loss we could not hope to make it to England. After discussing our options with the crew we decided to take our chaces in the Channel. As it turned out Sgt Haynes was able to contact Air Sea Rescue (ASR)and notify them of our situation. We had a good bit of luck, first we set the ship down without any problems. Next the ASR boys were right in the area to pick us all up. I didn't even get my boots wet. I'll miss the old crate. (Damage Points: 191)

Flight Officer Art DeFilippo
314 Squadron
M is for Mary