Steven K. Dixon 2021
Squadron: 103 Aircraft Name: Yorkshire Rose
Crew:
Position |
Name |
Rank |
Pilot |
Paul Morgan |
PO |
Navigator |
Roy Wilson |
F/SGT |
Bomb Aimer |
Joseph May |
SGT |
Engineer |
Steven Gaskill |
SGT |
Wireless/Gunner |
Craig ‘Balmy’ Summers |
SGT |
Mid-Upper |
Francis Duckham |
SGT |
Tail |
Francis ‘Frankie’ Jennings |
SGT |
Missions:
Mission Number/Date |
Target |
Result |
11 |
Lubeck |
On Target 40% |
12 |
Osnabruck |
Off target 10% |
13 |
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14 |
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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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1 |
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12 |
1 |
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13 |
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14 |
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Mission AAR
Mission 11 - Number 3 engine out, malfunction north of Friesian Islands. Descent to low level flight and slowed causing extra night fighter attention and flak... took evasive action and some damage prior to bombing run off course and had to go around... more time in target area causing more damage but secured a good run with 40% on target. Lost tail gunner on way back over Germany, Dornier subsequently shot down... rest of journey home relatively uneventful.
Mission 12 - Despite awful weather conditions the Yorkshire Rose’ left the ground and climbed steadily to cruising altitude. Below, the North Sea is completely obscured by thick cloud. No indication that the mission is to be called back despite very poor visibility so far and forecast for the Osnabruck area.
On encroaching the Dutch coastal area we get some AAA from the batteries on Texel island, but not close enough to cause any concern. Immediately we are under fire from a night fighter, not able to identify the 110 f-4 until he passes over into the darkness, another buzz-by missing us again with machine gun fire. Coming down at us again from 10.30 high both our mid upper and nose turrets are able to get off a reasonable round of defensive fire causing some noticeable damage to the enemy fuselage and wing but not enough to put him off, as again he comes at us this time from our 6, level and closing fast. A long burst from the mid turret and his right wing shears off completely causing him to spiral down in flame through the cloud base.
Over the target zone the aircraft is lit up by a searchlight briefly and surrounded by Flak bursts but no damage is taken as a steady straight course is kept for the bombing run. Bombs gone but who knows where! No observation is possible due to the thick cloud and navigation is approximate rather than absolutely pin point. If the bombing was 10% accurate it would be a marvel.
Another accompaniment from the Luftwaffe on our turn for home but resulting in only superficial damage to our mid fuselage, onward and homeward.
An uneventful transition across the water raises the spirits as we anticipate getting home from a cakewalk of a mission. We begin our decent and can smell the bacon butties and taste the mugs of sweet ‘Rosie Lee’ waiting for us.
Through the cloud and driving rain until we hit the airfield with a hell of a bump, the Halifax pitches forward at full speed ploughing into the ground. The plane is completely destroyed with most of the nose end obliterated.... our bomb aimer, Joe May and Wireless Operator ‘Balmy’ Summers are killed outright and P/O Morgan severely injured. It is unlikely that he will be able to fly again. For the rest of us, well, we live to fly again.
The elation of a milk run mission turned to devastation by the bloody English weather!
Mission 11 - Number 3 engine out, malfunction north of Friesian Islands. Descent to low level flight and slowed causing extra night fighter attention and flak... took evasive action and some damage prior to bombing run off course and had to go around... more time in target area causing more damage but secured a good run with 40% on target. Lost tail gunner on way back over Germany, Dornier subsequently shot down... rest of journey home relatively uneventful.
Mission 12 - Despite awful weather conditions the Yorkshire Rose’ left the ground and climbed steadily to cruising altitude. Below, the North Sea is completely obscured by thick cloud. No indication that the mission is to be called back despite very poor visibility so far and forecast for the Osnabruck area.
On encroaching the Dutch coastal area we get some AAA from the batteries on Texel island, but not close enough to cause any concern. Immediately we are under fire from a night fighter, not able to identify the 110 f-4 until he passes over into the darkness, another buzz-by missing us again with machine gun fire. Coming down at us again from 10.30 high both our mid upper and nose turrets are able to get off a reasonable round of defensive fire causing some noticeable damage to the enemy fuselage and wing but not enough to put him off, as again he comes at us this time from our 6, level and closing fast. A long burst from the mid turret and his right wing shears off completely causing him to spiral down in flame through the cloud base.
Over the target zone the aircraft is lit up by a searchlight briefly and surrounded by Flak bursts but no damage is taken as a steady straight course is kept for the bombing run. Bombs gone but who knows where! No observation is possible due to the thick cloud and navigation is approximate rather than absolutely pin point. If the bombing was 10% accurate it would be a marvel.
Another accompaniment from the Luftwaffe on our turn for home but resulting in only superficial damage to our mid fuselage, onward and homeward.
An uneventful transition across the water raises the spirits as we anticipate getting home from a cakewalk of a mission. We begin our decent and can smell the bacon butties and taste the mugs of sweet ‘Rosie Lee’ waiting for us.
Through the cloud and driving rain until we hit the airfield with a hell of a bump, the Halifax pitches forward at full speed ploughing into the ground. The plane is completely destroyed with most of the nose end obliterated.... our bomb aimer, Joe May and Wireless Operator ‘Balmy’ Summers are killed outright and P/O Morgan severely injured. It is unlikely that he will be able to fly again. For the rest of us, well, we live to fly again.
The elation of a milk run mission turned to devastation by the bloody English weather!
