1943-apr-03, Halifax DT723, Haringviet, Holland

[richard.k]

Rombout. This is what the pilot had to say.

NAME. Lago J.
DUTY. Pilot
　
Normal operation, no trouble as far as the target Essen, bombs away on target. Shortly after bombing and still in the target area, coned by searchlights, evasive action taken, a close burst of flak flipped the aircraft to about 100 degrees, in a recovery about 5,000 feet was lost and after the recovery the aircraft was very unstable and tended to bank to starboard. Much rudder and aileron trim was required for stability. The fuselage was holed towards the tail plane. Flew for about a 100 miles and followed by night fighters ( detected by wireless) and gained about 4,000 feet in the course of the return flight. About 10 minutes from the Dutch coast a JU-88 made an attack from the rear and below. The fighter was not seen until he opened fire, the tail gunner returned fire, in the attack the starboard inner engine was hit. The tachometer fluctuated, oil pressure dropped to 0 and the temperature rose to maximum high. Attempts to feather the propellor were useless. Prepared to abandon the aircraft. Fire broke out and a severe vibration set up. The aircraft became more difficult to control and eventually went into a steep spiral and was abandoned. All crew members baled out. Some landed on Tunkimiunkin Island, two on the mainland of Oude Bugerland, one drowning. The aircraft crashed near by. The Germans claim they saw the aircraft in the searchlights and followed till they saw it shot down by fighters.

Richard