Steven K. Dixon 2024
103 Squadron (Halifax) Aircraft Name: Queen of Night
Crew:
Position |
Name |
Rank |
Pilot |
Daniel Hart |
F/SGT |
Nav/Bomb Aimer |
Bert Lincoln |
SGT |
Nose Gunner |
Mike Murdoch |
SGT |
Engineer |
Toby Mynatt |
Flt/SGT |
Wireless/Gunner |
Keith Harlow |
SGT |
Mid-Upper |
Winfield Wolf |
SGT |
Rear Gunner |
Edward North |
SGT |
Previous plane Mephisto lost on Noisy-Le-Sec mission; Orpheus lost on Berneval mission; Perseus lost on Wimereux mission
Mission AARs - 1944/45 Campaign 4
Mission 1 - After a concerning take off (when a collision occurred but thankfully only causing superficial damage to a loaded bomb bay) this was a particularly uneventful mission. No highlight by searchlights over the target and only one encounter with a 110 G-7 that did not spot the Halifax on its line up for the bombing run… once out of the target and adjacent area it was a quiet cruise back to base.
Mission 2 - Only took superficial damage from flak until over the target then lost engine #4 to heavy flak…. One attack from a ju88 G-7 that caused only superficial damage before breaking off, Dornier destroyed in target zone exit.
Mission 3 - Medium AAA approaching the target over enemy territory causing minor damage to wing and flap…. Rear turret malfunction prior to entering enemy airspace but fixed by the time the plane was over target, thankfully no night fighters to that point. Good bombing run and picked up night fighter attention from a JU88 G-7 on exit, heavily strafed but airframe and crew remained intact, bandit departed after 3 passes. Straight forward flight homeward and safe landing.
Mission 4 - Experienced a hydraulic failure over the north sea heading toward the Dutch coast resulting in failure of the mid upper turret mechanisms, attempt to fix the problem failed meaning that the MUT would require manual operation for the rest of the journey. Aircraft recalled over Belgium due to cloud cover deterioration and persistence of mechanical problems returned to base with full bomb load and landed safely.
Mission 5 - Recalled again! (Bad weather). Got as far as approaching the Dutch Coast before recalled.
Mission 6 - Minor damage to airframe over target but night fighter caused serious injury to the mid-upper turret gunner (severed foot) disabling the guns also. In a subsequent pass the nose area took damage knocking out the bomb sight prior to the bombing run resulting in all bombs missing the target. Thankfully the night fighter broke away after the fourth pass and ‘Queenie was able to extricate without further incident.
Mission 7 - Outward flight uneventful until encountering heavy Flak over enemy territory that resulted in the loss of number one engine and a forced reduction in height caused by loss of heating to several sections of the aircraft. Reduced height and airspeed a severe concern. Approaching Mainz coned by searchlights and taking heavy AAA chose to abort mission and jettisoned bomb load…. Aircraft took a flak burst inside the port wing causing it to spiral into ground, al crew considered MIA presumed dead.
Mission AARs - 1944/45 Campaign 4
Mission 1 - After a concerning take off (when a collision occurred but thankfully only causing superficial damage to a loaded bomb bay) this was a particularly uneventful mission. No highlight by searchlights over the target and only one encounter with a 110 G-7 that did not spot the Halifax on its line up for the bombing run… once out of the target and adjacent area it was a quiet cruise back to base.
Mission 2 - Only took superficial damage from flak until over the target then lost engine #4 to heavy flak…. One attack from a ju88 G-7 that caused only superficial damage before breaking off, Dornier destroyed in target zone exit.
Mission 3 - Medium AAA approaching the target over enemy territory causing minor damage to wing and flap…. Rear turret malfunction prior to entering enemy airspace but fixed by the time the plane was over target, thankfully no night fighters to that point. Good bombing run and picked up night fighter attention from a JU88 G-7 on exit, heavily strafed but airframe and crew remained intact, bandit departed after 3 passes. Straight forward flight homeward and safe landing.
Mission 4 - Experienced a hydraulic failure over the north sea heading toward the Dutch coast resulting in failure of the mid upper turret mechanisms, attempt to fix the problem failed meaning that the MUT would require manual operation for the rest of the journey. Aircraft recalled over Belgium due to cloud cover deterioration and persistence of mechanical problems returned to base with full bomb load and landed safely.
Mission 5 - Recalled again! (Bad weather). Got as far as approaching the Dutch Coast before recalled.
Mission 6 - Minor damage to airframe over target but night fighter caused serious injury to the mid-upper turret gunner (severed foot) disabling the guns also. In a subsequent pass the nose area took damage knocking out the bomb sight prior to the bombing run resulting in all bombs missing the target. Thankfully the night fighter broke away after the fourth pass and ‘Queenie was able to extricate without further incident.
Mission 7 - Outward flight uneventful until encountering heavy Flak over enemy territory that resulted in the loss of number one engine and a forced reduction in height caused by loss of heating to several sections of the aircraft. Reduced height and airspeed a severe concern. Approaching Mainz coned by searchlights and taking heavy AAA chose to abort mission and jettisoned bomb load…. Aircraft took a flak burst inside the port wing causing it to spiral into ground, al crew considered MIA presumed dead.
1944/45 Missions: Campaign 4
Mission |
Target |
Result |
1 |
Ludwigshafen |
On 30% |
2 |
Sterkrade |
On 30% |
3 |
Bingen |
On 40% |
4 |
Recalled |
DNB |
5 |
Recalled |
DNB |
6 |
Munster |
Off Target 0% |
7 |
Stettin |
DNB - Shot Down |
1944/45 Credited Kills - Campaign 4
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 |
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