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Combat Report 16/17 December 1943:

Lancaster JA960E Berlin Speed 140 knots 1853 hrs 21,000 5238N 0824E Lancaster was proceeding to target and flying straight and level. There was no searchlight activity or other ground co-operation just before and during the attack.

The Rear Gunner (F/O Polson) reported an unidentified aircraft port quarter down at approximately 600 yards, and instructed Captain (F/L Pelletier) to turn to port in order to identify aircraft. At this moment, enemy aircraft, now identified as a JU88, opened fire with cannon and tracer was seen under port wing, and the rear gunner instructed captain to corkscrew port this he did and as the enemy aircraft appeared on the starboard quarter up both mid upper (F/Sgt Watson) and rear gunners opened fire at a range of 400 yards.

Both gunners claim that enemy aircraft was probably damaged and it was last seen breaking away to starboard. The enemy aircraft carried no lights. No damage sustained by Lancaster. Number of rounds fired Mid upper (250), Rear gunner (200) Mid Upper F/Sgt Watson Rear Gunner F/O Polson Gunnery Leader S/L Bryan-Smith.

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Becky Barugh of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Shropshire CSV Action Desk on behalf of Des Evans and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

See more of Des’s stories:

• Bale out!
• Missions from Woodhall Spa
• Tracers coming through the thatch
• I didn’t quite get the chop
• Little humour in adversity
• Ted Porters Crew
• The ‘Augsburg Raid’
• S/L Sherwood’s recommendation for the Victoria Cross
• The worst night of the War…
• The worst night of the War (Part 2)
• The worst night of the War (Part 3) - Crew
• The worst night of the War (Part 4) - Losses
• The worst night of the War (Part 5) — Extract from ‘the Berlin’ Raids’
• The worst night of the War (Part 6) — Bombers over Berlin
• A Dedication to Skipper Wing Commander Ted Porter - Pause for Thought
• A Dedication to Skipper Wing Commander Ted Porter — A Navigators View of the Route to Heaven
• Did you know?
• Flight Operations carried out with Sgt. D.C Plaunt
• Flight Operations carried out by Sgt. J.J Johnson
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ after baling out on 9th — 10th June 1944
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ after baling out on the 9th - 10th June 1944 - Continued
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ - 11th June 1944
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ - 12th — 15th June 1944
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ - 16th - 18th June 1944
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ - 19th — 23rd June 1944
• The experiences of ‘Taffy’ — 24th August 1044
• ‘Our Heroes’

For further stories read ‘ACHIEVE YOUR AIM’ by Kevin Bending

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