The Valour and the Horror

The fuselage behind me was burning;

Flight Lieutenant S.B. Brackenbury, pilot of a Hampden bomber of 408 Squadron, was caught by radar&endash;directed search lights on the last raid of 1942. He survived the crash and spent three years in a prisoner of war camp.

The moon was nearly full, and visibility] was very good. About 30 minutes away from the target, Huls, we could see a large fire directly on track, we identified canal that led up to target, and proceeded to glide in from 14,000 feet.

The flak was right over target, and we did a steady glide at 180 miles an hour. The Nav. released his bombs at 9,000 feet and I started to climb. There was a great fire burning. Having climbed to 14,000 feet again we were over searchlight belt. Stray searchlights picked us up but on turning into them, [1] put them off. Then a bluish searchlight picked us up and I couldn't shake it off. I climbed, dived, and did 90 degree turns, but to no avail. Then more and more searchlights coned me and it was impossible to look out as it was momentarily blinding. There was no flak [but] I warned the crew to look out for fighters. I flew a straight course to get out of the cone. The Wireless/Operator reported an a/c on the starboard. quarter high. We were still in the searchlights when the fighter attacked ...1 heard the guns at the back give a burst and just then a white tracer went by. I turned sharply into the attack and then straightened up. I called up the crew but there was no answer, the intercom was OK. The next attack was made shortly [after] and it was in the same quarter high. As soon as I saw the tracer I again turned into it. I could hear the cannon fire hitting the a/c and then saw port engine burst into flames. I pressed the [extinguishing] button, but nothing happened. I called on the i/c but it was unserviceable. The fuselage behind me was burning, and I think the fire was caused by the flares, which had not been released, having been hit by the cannon fire. The third attack was from the same place. I had no crew to tell me when to take evasive action, so I turned into the attack when I saw tracer. The fourth attack was from the stern. The tracer was going over and by each side, the fuselage was burning, and the engine. I decided to try a crash-landing, but at 5,000 feet I decided I couldn't make it In case any other crew was alive I pushed the call light button then bailed out. I saw the trail of flame hit the ground and little red balls rolling on the ground. I lit safely in a pine tree.

S.B. Brackenbury, pilot of a twin&endash;engined Hampden, December 28/29, 1941
Courtesy of No Price To High