[Smudger Smith]

Sorry for the delay, a recent trip to Berlin caused a slight delay. My body is still recovering.We flew a simple cross-country fuel consumption test that turned in to a bizarre experience. At one of our briefings, a Flight commander had told us that the Americans had formed one of their own squadrons, called “Eagle Squadron” that had gotten the into habit of making mock fighter attacks on our Wimpy. All very well and good except that they become bolder with experience and were coming far to close to our aircraft. The risk of collision was a possibility. It was suggested that our gunners might fire off a warning burst near but not at our American friends to discourage them from coming to close.About an hour into our flight, I heard Georges Cockney accent over the intercom, Captain, rear gunner, I’ve got one of those bleeding yanks fighters buzzing about our tails. It looks like an Airacobra; it’s too bloody close, can I give him a warning burst. Sgt “B” came back with “ OK, a short burst but be careful”The chatter of George’s Brownings had no sooner faded when Ted yelled out “Bloody Hell, I think George has shot the basterd down, he’s bailing out”.Ted contacted the nearest airfield and reported the bail out so a search could begin. When we arrived back at Marham we were informed that the American pilot had survived, but with a broken leg……..The rest of the story revolves around the “bollocking” the crew received. Not much to go on, no dates and no locations I’m afraid.