6 Group Unavailable
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR RETURNED AIRCREW
Loss of bomber aircraft
NUMBER. 1483501 RANK. F/Sgt NAME. Johnston J. F. SQUADRON. 429 AIRCRAFT. JD-332 AL-U TYPE OF AIRCRAFT. Halifax II DATE OF LOSS. 22/23.10.43 TARGET. Kassel HOW MANY OPS. 20 DUTY. Bomb aimer DATE OF INTERROGATION. 31.5.45 INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM. POW report
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS FROM TAKEOFF TO LANDING.
We had a very quite trip until the target was reached. Visibility was good and there was no moon. Going in on the run up, our starboard inner was hit but it did not effect the aircrafts performance. We bombed at approximately 2155 hours and set course for home. The flak was light but there were large numbers of fighter flares and fighters about. An ME-110 came in to the attack from the port quarter underneath. The rear gunner opened up and hits were observed. The fighter broke off the attack without firing but came in some minutes later from the starboard quarter underneath. We corkscrewed into him but he opened up and scored hits all along the aircraft. The cowling was shot from the starboard inner. The aircraft went into almost a vertical dive and I believed the elevator controls were damaged. The intercom and signalling lights were unserviceable, so by hand signals and signs we baled out. Action had to be taken immediately because the aircraft was going down very fast and rolling over to port. I do not remember anything until I hit the ground. I cannot remember the time of take off. The engineer informed me afterwards that the pilot was slumped in his seat and the stick was held back. He also informed me that the instrument panel was hit.
