Hello,
"Just before midnight on 26 March (1944), Sgt Kazimierz Baranski*, the rear gunner /radio operator of '2F' (HF199) in the crew of F/O Hieromin Czyzun, saw exhaust sparks of two enemy aircraft. The pilot, F/O Czyzun, gave the following account of the combat in the squadron diary:
More or less two hours after take-off for a night patrol the rear gunner broke the silence in an almost indifferent voice: "navigator, please establish our position, two Germans on our tail." The night was clear, light, visibility good, so we knew all we could do was to enter the combat. "They come in to attack" was the next report from the gunner, :I'll give them a burst!" The Germans must have been old hands, they came in very close before opening fire.
We tried evasive manoeuvres. Sharp turn to starboard did not break contact, but allowed the rear gunner to give the enemy some "confetti". His aiming must have been steady as his voice , for one German flew under our tail, leaving a long trail of smoke and flame. A second later there was an explosion just above the water, an enormous flash lit the cockpit as if it was daytime.
The other fighter continued to attack, but with dwindling spirit, and soon abandoned his attacks.
Our skipper checked every crew member on the intercom, and everybody replied they were OK. But a few minutes later, when the rear gunner was going to replace the radio-operator, he reported: "Sorry, my right hand is somewhat not right." His face was all covered in blood, and his hand was bleeding from a deep wound.
When we landed back at base, more damage was found in the aeroplane than we had expected. There was a lot holes in the port wing, and the rear turret fairing was shattered. But it took us until the next day to realise our luck, as the ground crew found four armour-piercing shells in one of the tanks."
Sgt Kasimierz Baranski received the Distinguished Flying Medal for this action.
*
http://listakrzystka.pl/en/?p=9320
See:
304 Squadron Wellingtons Against U-Boats.
Konarski,Mariusz
Redbourn:Stratus/Mushroom Models Publications,2005
pp.50-1
Col.