Evening star., 1941-10-29
BY PILOT OFFICER G. A.
McKERNAN.

LoNbON NSUiISSpOllOCllCc VI 1AC
Stars Special News Service) Il was
serving as navigator on bombing
trip to Dortmund, just east-north-
east of the Ruhr Valley, perhaps
the hottest spot ever entered in a
flying crews log.
The flight to the target was, in the
main, uneventful, as far as these
things 60. We flew quite close to
Rotterdam, which put up its usual
welcome of a cluster of searchlights
and light barrage of anti-aircraft
fire.
What time are we due over the
target?" the captain spoke for the
! first time
AT 1880" answered.
This is always arranged by the
wing command so all the units of
the squadron arrive over the target
at the same time. This divides the
ground defenses among many so
| that one kite doesn't have to receive
alone the full blessing from the
earth.
After checking our position by the
stars, and rechecking by radio loop
| bearings, was satisfied We were well
on the track. I settled down to
MUNICH on an orange.
Desynchronized Motors.
We were desynchronizlng the mo-
tors and flying in an evasive manner
all this time in order to confuse the
detectorS.
1t must be understood that there
we're the usual countless ribbons of
light cutting the darkness all around
us. And now and then a burst tof
anti-aircraft fire. would rock us ever
so slightly. That was fine. AS long
as the bursts just rocked us-Wel,
the detectors were picking up the
wrong note.
Our height is 12,500 feet" said
to the captain, and we should
bomb from 10000"
Got it," said the captain. I'll
glide down now"
Hold back the speed, as we're
ahead of time noW," warned.
Fine, but it's rather quiet to-
night, isn't it-probably night fight
ers,' the skipper said. Hello, front
and rear gunners, keep a sharp eye.
Take over, Bill (O'Brien. I want
some coffee
So back he piled, slapped me on
the back and we toasted the blltz
of Dortmund in our thermos tops.
Back to the astro-hatch l went
to have a look around, only to be
completely dazed by perfect wall
of light that seemed to envelop us
and hold like the devil. And then
came that unmistakable sound OF
bursting ack-ack shells.
Dropped Flare on Enemy.
There was one that was close.
We pitched from 1t, and yet an
other and another and another.
They had us buttoned. Each one
came closer and closer. No doubt
we were in for it, unless we dropped
a parachute flare. That usually
blinds them and gives us an es-
cape.
"Going to drop a flare" fairly
UldSJcu lllC 1lltSl AOiA NAAAS~N So---
municating telephone).
Opening the flare chute, I was
startled to see a searchllght beam
streaming right up into my face.
However, the flare was dropped, and
the situation eased.
Without waiting to see the et-
feet. I tumbled back to my table
as I was bit faint from lack OF
oxygen, and a horrible suspicion
came over me. Yes, we were smack
over the Ruhr Valley And the time
was 1890; 10 to Is minutes ahead
of schedule, which meant we were
alone-just the right meat for that
terrific barrage. No wonder 1t
seemed worse than anything we had
had. We were getting all of it.
Up in the bomb compartment 1
lay on the floor over the glass
panel to guide the kite to our point,
only to be blinded by battery OF
lights from the ground. Quickly l
closed my eyes, for too much OF
that light could blind me to the
target. Jerry's plan, of course.
Ordered to Drop Bombs.
LET the bombs go!" the captain
really shouted this time. If I had
only listened.
But we're not over the target
yet" I took a quick look at my
watch.
Let the bombs CO." he repeated.
I could see the Dortmund-Ems
Canal docks ahead of me. Now the
target was coming down the drift
wires of the bombsight. I seemed
to push that switch with my whole
body and sang out, Bombs going,
going, going--gone."
Peering out to see their work, I
was thrown clear back under the
pilots feet after an ear-splittin
crack. Not word was said by any
body. but the starboard engine had
packed I'D