Steven K. Dixon 2023
103 Squadron (Halifax) Aircraft Name: M - Mephisto
Crew:
Position |
Name |
Rank |
Pilot |
Daniel Moss |
F/O |
Nav/Bomb Aimer |
Clarence Thorne |
Flt/SGT |
Nose Gunner |
Philip Palmer |
SGT |
Engineer |
Isaac Livingstone |
Flt/SGT |
Wireless/Gunner |
Bernard Chapman |
SGT |
Mid-Upper |
Victor Farnsworth |
SGT |
Rear Gunner |
Kenny Wickes |
SGT |
Mission AAR
Yorkshire Rose lost on Mission 12; Sherwood Shirly lost on Mission 19, Maid Marion lost om Mission 5, 1943. Rhiannon lost on Leverkusen mission (10).
1943/44
Mission 11- Despite being deep in enemy territory the first mission for M-Mephisto and crew was surprisingly uneventful. Navigated around most areas of AAA concentration and evaded any coning over the target by searchlights… little contact until over the target but a mosquito saw off an Me110 G-7 for us.. well done that man! Payload delivered with reasonable accuracy and a clear flight back to Norfolk.
Mission 12 - Continuous contact with enemy night fighters once the Belgian coast was crossed… Do219 attack using Schrage musik caused walking hits along the fuselage resulting in the serious wound to the pilot, flying duties taken from that point by the F/O. Also oxygen feed was rendered inoperable requiring decent to low altitude for the rest of the mission. On reaching the target it was found that the bomb bay doors were jammed and had to be, thankfully, released manually. However due to this delay the target was overshot meaning that the bombing run was not on target. Return to Blighty uneventful, enough excitement for one night.
Mission 13 - Cakewalk - no hits from heavy flak over the target, engaged with one Me110 G-4 that broke away after 3rd pass, damage to port fuel tank that thankfully self sealed… uneventful return flight
mission 14 - Heavy flak over the Belgian Coast both on the outward flight and on the return, resulting in minimal damage to the airframe but a light would to the tail gunner that will not require other than basic medical attention, however the tail area oxygen was rendered unusable which together with the front centre section heating out required descent to low altitude prior to the bomb run. No fighter contact directly. Bombs on target with 30% accuracy.
Mission 15 - Not attacked by any night fighters on this sortie, spotted a couple of Ju-88s here and there over France but no engagements… however it was clear that AAA capability had been beefed up considerably with Heavy Flak one over occupied territory and particularly around the factory and adjacent airfield.. damage to left aileron and wing over north Paris approaches. Tail section hit after bombing run with guns disabled, serious wound to tail gunner who may well lose a foot as a result, hopefully the surgeons can sort him out but he will certainly not fly again.
Mission 16 - Despite lack of attention from night fighter aircraft, only a few around the approach to and over the target… the main concern was AAA along the route over occupied territory and coastline, the result being a serious wound to the pilot ( shrapnel in the abdomen). Engineer took over flying duties. 10% accuracy off target only but with secondary pilot and first to arrive on the target area unsurprising. On return flight over the French coast heavy flak took out the heat in the nose and gun turret so reduced altitude for the channel crossing. Pilot taken to hospital on arrival with no chance of him being able to return to the crew.
Mission 17 - Avoided some Flak on outward journey but flew into heavy AA and fighter attention on approach to the target… some airframe damage including the starboard wing root. However, more significantly the Mid Upper Gunner was fatally wounded in the upper thorax as shrapnel ricochet around the aircraft… the wound was significant and ruptured arteries and veins in the upper thorax, bleeding out very quickly with no chance of stemming the flow.. Flight Engineer took over duties in the turret. Despite continued attention from night fighters our tail gunner was able to apply enough accurate fire to see off their attention… further AAA on the way out of the target area put paid to the oxygen supply in the nose turret and caused a descent to low altitude for the rest of the way home. Good to get back and deliver Francis home.
Mission 18 - Despite a long flight over occupied territory a clear run until close to the target, Heavy flak on the approach caused some damage that kept the Flight Engineer busy. Evasive action and descent to low level made for a poor bombing run, followed put of the area by 2 night fighters bit they turned their attention to others in the tail end of the line. Picked up another fighter, Ju-88 C-6, west of Paris and took further damage but not enough to be of great concern other than the loss of dinghies prior to making the channel crossing. Good work from the tail gunner destroyed our pursuer and we flew home without further incident. A long way to go for little reward other than reducing the Luftwaffe compliment by a single plane… Every bit helps.
Mission 19 - Straight forward outward journey until approaching the French border… heavy AAA that took out number 1 engine and caused some concern over fire but tanks self sealed, further flak damaged the bomb sight which then hampered accuracy on the bombing run. Attacked on bombing run by a Dornier 217 J-1 but despite some damage to the tail section from his approach concerted fore by the Mid Upper gunner and tail end Charlie caused him to pull away. Bombs speculatively released but all off target. Picked up two night fighters on the way out of the target zone.. again mid upper gunner saw off a Dornier 217 N-2 on the third pass and the nose gunner destroyed an He 219 H-O as he came in from 12 o’clock high…. Return leg was without further incident.. all back safe.
Mission 20 Recalled due to weather crossing the Belgian-Germany border. Despite the disappointment of not being able to further the mission, the narrative held true once more as the recall occurred on the next turn after losing the majority of electronic warfare and navigation equipment due to a failure in the electronic systems (random). Oh well, on to the next set of missions in the new year.
Yorkshire Rose lost on Mission 12; Sherwood Shirly lost on Mission 19, Maid Marion lost om Mission 5, 1943. Rhiannon lost on Leverkusen mission (10).
1943/44
Mission 11- Despite being deep in enemy territory the first mission for M-Mephisto and crew was surprisingly uneventful. Navigated around most areas of AAA concentration and evaded any coning over the target by searchlights… little contact until over the target but a mosquito saw off an Me110 G-7 for us.. well done that man! Payload delivered with reasonable accuracy and a clear flight back to Norfolk.
Mission 12 - Continuous contact with enemy night fighters once the Belgian coast was crossed… Do219 attack using Schrage musik caused walking hits along the fuselage resulting in the serious wound to the pilot, flying duties taken from that point by the F/O. Also oxygen feed was rendered inoperable requiring decent to low altitude for the rest of the mission. On reaching the target it was found that the bomb bay doors were jammed and had to be, thankfully, released manually. However due to this delay the target was overshot meaning that the bombing run was not on target. Return to Blighty uneventful, enough excitement for one night.
Mission 13 - Cakewalk - no hits from heavy flak over the target, engaged with one Me110 G-4 that broke away after 3rd pass, damage to port fuel tank that thankfully self sealed… uneventful return flight
mission 14 - Heavy flak over the Belgian Coast both on the outward flight and on the return, resulting in minimal damage to the airframe but a light would to the tail gunner that will not require other than basic medical attention, however the tail area oxygen was rendered unusable which together with the front centre section heating out required descent to low altitude prior to the bomb run. No fighter contact directly. Bombs on target with 30% accuracy.
Mission 15 - Not attacked by any night fighters on this sortie, spotted a couple of Ju-88s here and there over France but no engagements… however it was clear that AAA capability had been beefed up considerably with Heavy Flak one over occupied territory and particularly around the factory and adjacent airfield.. damage to left aileron and wing over north Paris approaches. Tail section hit after bombing run with guns disabled, serious wound to tail gunner who may well lose a foot as a result, hopefully the surgeons can sort him out but he will certainly not fly again.
Mission 16 - Despite lack of attention from night fighter aircraft, only a few around the approach to and over the target… the main concern was AAA along the route over occupied territory and coastline, the result being a serious wound to the pilot ( shrapnel in the abdomen). Engineer took over flying duties. 10% accuracy off target only but with secondary pilot and first to arrive on the target area unsurprising. On return flight over the French coast heavy flak took out the heat in the nose and gun turret so reduced altitude for the channel crossing. Pilot taken to hospital on arrival with no chance of him being able to return to the crew.
Mission 17 - Avoided some Flak on outward journey but flew into heavy AA and fighter attention on approach to the target… some airframe damage including the starboard wing root. However, more significantly the Mid Upper Gunner was fatally wounded in the upper thorax as shrapnel ricochet around the aircraft… the wound was significant and ruptured arteries and veins in the upper thorax, bleeding out very quickly with no chance of stemming the flow.. Flight Engineer took over duties in the turret. Despite continued attention from night fighters our tail gunner was able to apply enough accurate fire to see off their attention… further AAA on the way out of the target area put paid to the oxygen supply in the nose turret and caused a descent to low altitude for the rest of the way home. Good to get back and deliver Francis home.
Mission 18 - Despite a long flight over occupied territory a clear run until close to the target, Heavy flak on the approach caused some damage that kept the Flight Engineer busy. Evasive action and descent to low level made for a poor bombing run, followed put of the area by 2 night fighters bit they turned their attention to others in the tail end of the line. Picked up another fighter, Ju-88 C-6, west of Paris and took further damage but not enough to be of great concern other than the loss of dinghies prior to making the channel crossing. Good work from the tail gunner destroyed our pursuer and we flew home without further incident. A long way to go for little reward other than reducing the Luftwaffe compliment by a single plane… Every bit helps.
Mission 19 - Straight forward outward journey until approaching the French border… heavy AAA that took out number 1 engine and caused some concern over fire but tanks self sealed, further flak damaged the bomb sight which then hampered accuracy on the bombing run. Attacked on bombing run by a Dornier 217 J-1 but despite some damage to the tail section from his approach concerted fore by the Mid Upper gunner and tail end Charlie caused him to pull away. Bombs speculatively released but all off target. Picked up two night fighters on the way out of the target zone.. again mid upper gunner saw off a Dornier 217 N-2 on the third pass and the nose gunner destroyed an He 219 H-O as he came in from 12 o’clock high…. Return leg was without further incident.. all back safe.
Mission 20 Recalled due to weather crossing the Belgian-Germany border. Despite the disappointment of not being able to further the mission, the narrative held true once more as the recall occurred on the next turn after losing the majority of electronic warfare and navigation equipment due to a failure in the electronic systems (random). Oh well, on to the next set of missions in the new year.
1943/44 Missions: Campaign 2
Mission |
Target |
Result |
11 |
Hagen |
On Target 40% |
12 |
Aulnoye, Fr. |
Off Target 5% |
13 |
Bristillerie, Fr. |
On Target 30% |
14 |
Courtrai, Be. |
On Target 30% |
15 |
Meulan-les-Meureaux, Fr. |
On Target 30% |
16 |
Bergerac, Fr. |
Off Target 10% |
17 |
Brunswick, Ge. |
On Target 75% |
18 |
Ossun, Fr. |
Off Target 0% |
19 |
Metz, Fr. |
Off Target 0% |
20 |
Berlin, GE. |
DNB - Recalled |
1943/44 Credited Kills
Mission No. |
ME 110 F-4 |
ME 110 G-4 |
JU 88 C-6 |
JU 88 G-7 |
DO 217 J-1 |
DO 217 N-2 |
HE 219 A-0 |
FW 190 A-5UZ |
ME 109 G-6U4N |
ME 262 B-1AU1 |
TA 154 A-0 |
DO 217 J-1 (Italy) |
11 |
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12 |
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13 |
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14 |
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15 |
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16 |
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17 |
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18 |
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1 |
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19 |
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1 |
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20 |
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Mission AARs - 1944 Campaign 3
Mission 1 - Minimal damage to Halifax i.e right aileron inoperable. Shot down 2 enemy aircraft over the target.
Mission 2 - Damage to instrumentation and control cables caused bombing run to be off target. Uneventful carriage to the target zone but encountered both heavy flak and several night fighters on both the in and out bombing run…one being equipped with schrage musik weaponry causing a running hit to the length of the fuselage. Tail gunner severely wounded at this time to the neck and bleeding profusely, out of action until tended to… note that tail gunner recovered well, miraculously no artery damage so will be available next mission.. Johnny Hendry now known as ‘Winnie’ (Wind Your Neck In). Bleeding staunched on a straight forward flight to home base.
Mission 3 - Numerous yet unsuccessful attacks from night fighters over the target… none shot down but 3 forced to break off their attack. Halifax took fire in the nose section as the bomb run reached its crucial point therefore causing poor targeting result.
Mission 4 - Mephisto could be renamed ‘Milk Run’ after the recent sorties! No casualties and no damage to the airframe this trip… saw off 3 night fighters, breaking off their attack after missing their shots at us… uneventful flight homeward. Things are sure to get serious very soon, lady luck keep smiling!
Mission 5 - Fortune continues to favour the Mephisto. Despite the briefing and expectation of a really rough ride, all went smoothly until coned by searchlights over Saarbrucken. Me 110 broke off after a single pass causing oxygen loss to the tail section and a forced decent to low altitude. Target zone attention from 2 night fighters on the inbound run, one breaking off quickly but continued harassment from a more experienced pilot that shot up the tail section some more causing the turret hatch to jam trapping the gunner who was lucky to get away with a light wound but took out his frustrations by taking out the Me110. Chased out of the target zone by another 110 that we also were able to terminally damage…. Uneventful flight back home. All's well that ends well.
Mission 7 - The trouble started soon after take off with knowledge that there had been a failure in the hydraulic system rendering the undercarriage inoperable. That would need to be dealt with on return but decision to press on to the target with the payload. Flak over the coast was a portent of things to come. Heavy flak and fighter contact approaching the target causing severe wound to Tail Gunner, smashed pelvis and severe bleeding. Tail turret knocked out . Mid upper turret and nose gun rendered unusable on the approach to the bombing run leaving the aircraft without defence… good bombing run with 42% on target. On the turn around picked up a Ju 110 with experte pilot… attack caused fire in the inner wing tank and crew ordered to bail out.
Mission 1 - Minimal damage to Halifax i.e right aileron inoperable. Shot down 2 enemy aircraft over the target.
Mission 2 - Damage to instrumentation and control cables caused bombing run to be off target. Uneventful carriage to the target zone but encountered both heavy flak and several night fighters on both the in and out bombing run…one being equipped with schrage musik weaponry causing a running hit to the length of the fuselage. Tail gunner severely wounded at this time to the neck and bleeding profusely, out of action until tended to… note that tail gunner recovered well, miraculously no artery damage so will be available next mission.. Johnny Hendry now known as ‘Winnie’ (Wind Your Neck In). Bleeding staunched on a straight forward flight to home base.
Mission 3 - Numerous yet unsuccessful attacks from night fighters over the target… none shot down but 3 forced to break off their attack. Halifax took fire in the nose section as the bomb run reached its crucial point therefore causing poor targeting result.
Mission 4 - Mephisto could be renamed ‘Milk Run’ after the recent sorties! No casualties and no damage to the airframe this trip… saw off 3 night fighters, breaking off their attack after missing their shots at us… uneventful flight homeward. Things are sure to get serious very soon, lady luck keep smiling!
Mission 5 - Fortune continues to favour the Mephisto. Despite the briefing and expectation of a really rough ride, all went smoothly until coned by searchlights over Saarbrucken. Me 110 broke off after a single pass causing oxygen loss to the tail section and a forced decent to low altitude. Target zone attention from 2 night fighters on the inbound run, one breaking off quickly but continued harassment from a more experienced pilot that shot up the tail section some more causing the turret hatch to jam trapping the gunner who was lucky to get away with a light wound but took out his frustrations by taking out the Me110. Chased out of the target zone by another 110 that we also were able to terminally damage…. Uneventful flight back home. All's well that ends well.
Mission 7 - The trouble started soon after take off with knowledge that there had been a failure in the hydraulic system rendering the undercarriage inoperable. That would need to be dealt with on return but decision to press on to the target with the payload. Flak over the coast was a portent of things to come. Heavy flak and fighter contact approaching the target causing severe wound to Tail Gunner, smashed pelvis and severe bleeding. Tail turret knocked out . Mid upper turret and nose gun rendered unusable on the approach to the bombing run leaving the aircraft without defence… good bombing run with 42% on target. On the turn around picked up a Ju 110 with experte pilot… attack caused fire in the inner wing tank and crew ordered to bail out.
1944 Missions: Campaign 3
Mission |
Target |
Result |
1 |
Ghent, Be. |
On Target 40% |
2 |
St. Valery, Fr. |
Off Target 5% |
3 |
Chambly, Fr. |
Off Target 0% |
4 |
Laon, Fr. |
Off Target 0% |
5 |
Karlsruhe, Ge. |
On Target 60% |
6 |
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7 |
Noisy-Le-Sec, Fr. |
On Target 42% |
8 |
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9 |
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10 |
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1944 Credited Kills - Campaign 3
Mission No. |
ME 110 F-4 |
ME 110 G-4 |
JU 88 C-6 |
JU 88 G-7 |
DO 217 J-1 |
DO 217 N-2 |
HE 219 A-0 |
FW 190 A-5UZ |
ME 109 G-6U4N |
ME 262 B-1AU1 |
TA 154 A-0 |
DO 217 J-1 (Italy) |
1 |
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1 |
1 |
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2 |
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3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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1 |
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1 |
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6 |
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7 |
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8 |
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9 |
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10 |
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