KB735 VR-O Survives Five Attacks


First Attack

While coming in the target area the aircraft was attacked by a Ju88, which had just been observed by the rear gunner Sgt. J. Shortt shooting down another aircraft. At a range of 600 yards the fighter commenced his attack, after giving an order to corkscrew to port the gunner fired of 100 yards as the fighter closed to 400 yards. The M/U Sgt. V. Soarson also fired off a short burst. At about 500 yards the Ju88 opened fire and followed the Lancaster through its corkscrew movements until it broke off the attack at about 200 yards. The resume course was given, but the Lancaster had already sustained damage to the starboard inner engine which eventually became unserviceable. The starboard fuel tank was hit, as well as the fuselage, tailplane, wings, bomb doors and undercarriage were damaged. The enemy aircraft appeared to have no damage done to it.

Second Attack

A second attack also while on route to the target. An unidentified aircraft was seen by the M/U gunner coming in on the starboard quarter up, at a range of 600 yards, Sgt. Soarson gave the order for corkscrew to starboard as the Sgt. Shortt in the rear turret opened fire with short bursts. The fighter broke off the attack leaving off to the starboard beam up and was lost to sight. No damage was done to the Lancaster since the second fighter did not fire at KB . The previous damage on the Lancaster did not affect the Lancaster flying ability.

Third Attack

While continuing on the target after all this, they were again attacked by a Ju88 from dead astern and level. Rear gunner gave the corkscrew to starboard and the fighter was lost to sight. No firing was exchanged by either aircraft.

Fourth Attack

Then yet again while over the target VR-O was attacked by a single engined aircraft advancing on the port quarter. This time it was the M/U gunner, Sgt. Soarson who gave the combat maneuver to corkscrew to port. The fighter was lost to view and again no gunfire was exchanged.

Fifth Attack

On leaving the target area a twin engine attacker came in from the starboard quarter level, the fighter followed the Lancaster through the corkscrew breaking away to starboard were it was lost to sight. Again no rounds were fired.

A Surprising Find

On inspection after landing at base VR-O’s starboard inner engine was found have been put out of commission by .0303 ammunition, fired at the aircraft from the front. Not a caliber used by the Luftwaffe, but the RAF itself.

KB753 VR-B


With a full moon ahead of them with clouds below the visibility was very good. Good for being found. It was the Rear Gunner that first saw the aircraft approaching out of the light section sky at about 900 yards off the starboard quarter. Once it had drawn within 700 yards it began opening fire and broke the attack diving away down to port quarter once it came with in 500 yards. Mean while the Lancaster was corkscrewing to starboard while the M/U Sgt. Curry fired off 100 rounds when the fighter was within 600 yards. The Wireless Operator was searching the sky off into the opposite direction of the attack to make sure there was not other enemy aircraft sneaking up on them while the gunner’s were concentrating on the first attacking fighter. No damage was recorded on the Lancaster or seen on the attacking fighter.

KB755 VR-F


KB755 was headed home when the rear gunner sighted an aircraft on a parallel course about 200 yards off the starboard beam. It dropped two orange flares, silhouetting both their Lancaster and another Halifax off to it’s starboard side. The fighter dropped out of sight only to be seen a few minutes later turning back at the Lancaster. The rear gunner regained sight of the fighter at about 600 yards coming in from the “starboard quarter below”. The fighter opened fire at 600 yards coming into 500 yards off , both gunners opened fire. The Lancaster’s corkscrew maneuver started just as the Ju88 fired off a short burst with tracer, which passed slightly above and astern of KB755. The fighter followed the Lancaster in it’s corkscrew turn while closing in . The rear gunner opened up two bursts with all four guns. The enemy aircraft broke off to the port quarter . The M/U fired off a short burst before the he had one gun jam. KB755 then entered into the clouds after that the Ju88 was not seen again. No damage was reported for either aircraft but there were other problems with the rear turret with the hydraulics’ leaking. The Combat Report mentioned the guns were firing in a sluggish manner.

KB724 VR-K


While outboard bound from Villeneuve St. George, a Ju88 fighter was observed by the M/U gunner on the starboard beam down off at about 200 yards. The fighter lifted it’s nose for the attack and the Bomb Aimer opened fire with a short burst. The Ju88 was in fact making an attack on a Halifax which was ahead slightly below KB724. No maneuver was ordered as the Middle-Upper gunner did not figure the fighter was attacking his aircraft.

KB750 VR-N


On the way to Villeneuve St. George VR-N was attacked by a Do 217 coming on at the Lancaster from the starboard quarter and level. The rear gunner Sgt. A.R. Jackson gave the combat maneuver to corkscrew starboard , he then opened fire as the enemy aircraft drew within 600 yards. His short burst drove the fighter off as it came within 400 yards. The resume course was given by the rear gunner. No damage was sustained by either the Lancaster or the fighter. A second attack was attempted by an Me210 coming on from dead astern, after sighting the fighter Sgt. Called for a corkscrew to starboard but do not fire at the Me210. The fighter also did not fire, but did break away at 500 yards, then the rear gunner gave order to resume course.

KB752 VR-S


On their approach to the target VR-S was attacked by an Me410 , first seen by the M/U gunner Sgt. W.K. McInnis, coming in from dead astern level. Maneuver to corkscrew given to the pilot by the M/U as he opened fire, but his gun had stoppage which he managed to clear. The violent evasive actions taken did not stop the fighter from firing on the bomber up to it reaching within 75 yards of VR-S . The attack damaged the starboard elevator which was shot away and a number of holes of small caliber in the port and starboard wing. None of the Lancaster’s gunners managed to make any hits on the fighter.