We next encountered a single searchlight and streams of tracer... rear gunner Sgt. Gowling used guns on searchlight until guns failed, refused help, said belts were severed. Port inner burst into flames holes appeared in cowling used extinguisher with no results. Rear gunner shouted once ... then more tracer and lights; we seemed at about 2,000 feet. I reported No. 2 tank on fire. Skipper then said " I guess we've had it boys. better get out, any of you that can. There was no one on the intercom except the pilot, mid-upper Sgt.Prieur who stood beside the pilot holding the latter's chute and myself. I picked up a hand extinguisher and leaving my station with all fuel and remaining engine instruments reading normal. Approached the flare chute, where a small fire was burning, intending to throw the photo flash out the door..an explosion knocked me out. I have blurred recollection of trying to get up, but gravity and weakness prevented me. Regained consciousness in the aircraft wreckage and crawled out a hole. The nose was missing, fuselage was red hot forward and in flames from tip to tip, ammo was popping, rear gunner not in smashed turret. Aircraft was headed North, house twenty yards to port, trees fifty yards behind, hedge in front. I left area. Germans later told me that six bodies were found. My watch stopped at 0140.