The Crew


Pilot F/O Robert Stewart
F/E WO Harold R. Tenny RAF
WAG Sgt. A. Embly
Navigator P/O S.E. James
B/A F/S Vincent A. F. Cleveland
M/U Gunner Sgt. Leonard Northcliffe
Rear Gunner F/S Douglas H. A. Garland

Combat Report July 24/25 Hamburg


Air Gunner: F/S Garland
Aircraft: Halifax JD270, VR-P
Position: 54degrees 11 min. North, 08 degrees 50min East
Altitude: 19,000 feet

At 0112 Rear gunner Sgt. Garland sighted a twin engine aircraft with a large white light in it's nose at a range of 300 yards, slightly on the port quarter at the same level as their Halifax.
The aircraft now identified as a Ju88 began an attack on VR-P, at a range of 250 yards, Garland opened fire and continued firing until the enemy aircraft broke off the attack and dove off by making a diving turn to port.
There was some confusion between the pilot and the rear gunner on carrying out the corkscrew manoeuver to avoid the attack. The report does not make it clear whether a second order had to be given or the manoeuvre was just delayed. In any case the Ju88 made no attempt to fire on the Halifax and it was lost from sight in haze below the Halifax.

Combat Report July 25/26 Essen


Air Gunner: Sgt. Northcliffe
Aircraft: Halifax JD270, VR-P
Position: 52degrees 40 min. North, 03 degrees 05 min East
Altitude: 14,500 feet
At 0130while returning from Essen, a single engine aircraft, later identified as a FW190 was sighted dead astern of the Halifax at 450 yards at the same level. It was silhouetted against a cone of 25 searchlights behind it.
The enemy fighter which was showing a small orange light in it's cockpit appeared at first to be hanging back from the bomber. Sgt. Garland gave the corkscrew order, the fighter then seemed to start its approach to attack and closed to within 400 yards when Garland in the rear turret opened fire with two short bursts, the two rounds did not deter the FW190 from continuing it's way towards the Halifax. So Garland opened up with a long burst of 300 rounds, the fighter then exploded into many pieces at a range of 350 yards. The Flight Engineer, the Wireless Operator and Sgt. Northcliffe all saw the burning aircraft fall and pass threw the clouds below, lighting up the clouds as it passed through them.
The enemy aircraft was claimed as destroyed

Combat Report July 27/28 Hamburg


First Attack 0108 hours


Air Gunner: F/Sgt. Garland
Aircraft: Halifax DT789, VR-T
Position: 54degrees 13 min. North, 09 degrees 35 min East
Altitude: 19,000 feet
Sgt. Garland sighted an aircraft with a orange light in it's nose and red and white lights on the wing tips dead astern at 450 yards. It was identified as a Ju88.
Garland gave the corkscrew order and opened fire the quickly approaching fighter, which then broke of it's attack within 250 yards of the Halifax and dove to starboard. Three of Garland's guns had stoppages during this attack. The guns were left to cool and then he was able to clear the breech and prepare for another attack if it came.

Second Attack 0110 hours


Within two minutes the same aircraft was sighted coming in from starboard quarter, Garland then opened fire on the attacker while giving the corkscrew order. The night fighter broke off the attack at 200 yards and went into a steep dive and was son lost from sight in the smoke filled skies below the Halifax. Some strikes were observed on the Ju88 but no damage was observed.
A note mentions that 300 rounds were fired during the attacks, but no rounds were fired at the bomber by the fighter. And that no ground assistance was observed.

Combat Report July 27/28 Hamburg


Third Attack 0118 hours


Air Gunner: F/Sgt. Garland
Aircraft: Halifax DT789, VR-T
Position: 54degrees 00 min. North, 10 degrees 25 min East
Altitude: 20,000 feet
Rear gunner Garland sighted an aircraft on the port quarter at about 100 yards, it was identified as an ME109.
Even though no attack was in the process, Garland fired off a short burst at the Me109 as a notice they meant business.
This sent the Me109 diving into the haze below and not seen again. Tracer was seen to hit the fighter but no damage was seen. The Me109 showed no lights but visibility was good.