2-JULY-43 - MULHEIM SYNTHETIC PLANT - Partially destroyed
Scattered heavy flak along route although flak crossing the main river was not as bad as anticipated. Enemy fighter activity prior to bomb run targetted main body and was handled by our escort. We were unable to drop on primary due to thick cloud bank, Pilot spotted airfield to the right in the clear, so taking his two wingmen with him, attacked WESEL Airfield with a drop aimed at the left side of the field where there appeared to be fighter parking pads, results unknown. We were separated from main body but caught up with them quickly following the flight path home till leaving main body and skirting ROTTERDAM to the South. Enemy fighters were spotted coming head-on, they made one quick half hearted pass, and went on to hit the main body, which was a couple of miles behind us. The rest of the flight was uneventful. Landed with no injuries and minor flak damage to number 2 fuel tank.
RTB approx 1000hrs.

8 JULY 1943 - ANVERS GM PLANT - Tgt totally destroyed - Aircraft lost
Scattered heavy flak along route. Enemy fighter activity prior to bomb run targeted main body, observed one bomber going down. B Flights #2 was hit by #3 and went down. A Flight was unable to drop on primary, continued on to secondary. A late turn caused us to miss dropping on target, so jettisioned bombs. We were separated from main body so B Flight lead joined A Flight and we headed for home. Enemy fighters were spotted comming at us and worked us over good. We lost B Flight lead and #2 and #3 had serious damage. We flew on a ways and ran into Fw-190's who finished all of A Flight off. I had 4 crew killed and 1 wounded when finally shot down. The survivors bailed out and were picked up by a fishing boat and transported back to home.

13 JULY 1943 - ABBEVILLE AIRFIELD
GOOD FORM UP ON THIS ONE. RV WENT WELL AND GOOD GROUP ACROSS THE CHANNEL
FIGHTER ESCORT MISSED THE RV MID-CHANNEL BUT JOINED US AT THE FRENCH COAST. SOME FLAK CROSSING THE COAST AT CAP GRIS NEZ
EN FIGHTERS ENGAGED NEAR TARGET BUT ESCORTS DID THEIR JOB AND KEPT THEM OFF US
BOMBRUN WENT SMOOTHLY ALTHOUGH SPORADIC CLOUD COVER OVER THE TARGET. ALL BOMBS ON TARGET, SQN DID A GREAT JOB ON THIS ONE.
TURN OUT TO COAST WAS OK, CAUGHT SOME FLAK NEAR LE TREPORT BUT MINOR DAMAGE
FIGHTERS APPEARED AGAIN NEAR BOULOGNE HARBOUR BUT ESCORT AGAIN HELPED OUT.
RTB WITHOUT INCIDENT, CREW OK

AIRCRAFT LOST ----------  25 JULY 43 - ROTTERDAM DOCK FACILITIES - 75% destroyed
Excellent form up coming out of Felixstowe.  Bomber formation was much tighter and less strung out than usual with the exception of one flight that got way ahead of the main body.  Unfortunately for them they attracted the bulk of the fighters.
Wolf Pack made an excellent drop on the target, hitting a large factory building on one side of the harbour and continuing with the remaining stick of bombs on the opposite side hitting at least four more industrial buildings.   Flak was extremely heavy and Wolf Pack survived the bomb run only to be hit in #4 engine on the turn out at approx 1330hr.  #4 was emitting thick black smoke and eventually flames were seen indicating a fuel tank fire.  The pilot applied the fire extinguisher numerous times until exhausted, stopped #4 and feathered the prop.  Wolf Pack managed to make it over the Channel before the fire flared up again.  Attempting to put out the fire with a sharp dive the pilot dropped down 2,000ft and it seemed to work but it restarted shortly after.  Before the crew could all bail, #4 exploded taking part of the starboard wing.  Only 3 chutes were seen to open (approx 1340hr).  Coordinates were passed to SAR who apparently were able to pick up those survivors.

'OLD COFFIN' JZ-J 24392
25 JULY 43 - ROTTERDAM DOCK FACILITIES - 75% destroyed
Excellent form up coming out of Felixstowe. Bomber formation was much tighter and less strung out than usual with the exception of one flight that got way ahead of the main body. Unfortunately for them they attracted the bulk of the fighters.
Old Coffin made an excellent drop on the target, hitting a large factory building on one side of the harbour. Flak was extremely heavy and Old Coffin survived the bomb run only taking a couple of minor hits in fuel tanks which sealed up. Old Coffin watched as #1 (Wolf Pack) and #2 both nursed smoking engines back towards home. Wolf Pack finally lost the battle and had to bail when a wing exploded and blew off, unknown how many got out. Coordinates were passed to SAR who were able to pick up the survivors. Old Coffin continued for home but, had a navigation snafu, and ended up landing safely at the wrong base. The crew was transported home, The bomber was serviced, and a ferry crew brought Old Coffin home later that day.

30 JULY 43 - POTEZ AIRCRAFT FACTORY - LAON - Target totally destroyed
Form-up and RV went OK although a little strung out, spacing ended up better overal. Little Friends joined up at the RV. No problems crossing Channel and hit French coast as per flight plan.
Enemy fighters were engaged en route near Arras and the Little Friends kept them busy. The flak over Arras was medium to heavy. The IP and bomb-run was spot-on although cloud cover threatened to obscure the target. Clear patch however over the target at the last minute and bombs away, clouds obscured my view of bomb hit though.
Excellent results reported by recon aircraft after mission (see Recon Photos). Flak was very heavy but got through it. Flak also heavy near Rethel but we turned off just prior and avoided most of it.
As we passed Arras to the north on the way back some 190s showed up and harassed us. We heard at least 3 bombers getting hit but couldn't see them as they were near the back of the main body. Gunners fought off a couple of the 190s and claimed some hits but, did't bring any down. We received very minor damage, a few holes, and no injuries.
Crossed the coast east of Calais as planned, noticed flak over Calais but they were shooting at shadows. Arrived back at Boxstead without incident. Mission duration approx 3 hours. Another good mission for "Old Coffin".

3 AUGUST 43 - TILBURG RAILYARD - Completely destroyed
Form-up and RV went well, and I believe we flew our best formation yet. Due to comms screwup our escort was nowhere to be seen and apparently went ahead to 'clear the way' for us. As it turned out, that worked very well as our formation was not attacked by fighters at all. The flight plan went very well considering there was fairly thick patchy cloud cover at approx 12,000ft (contrary to met report). We hit the coast almost exactly on tgt and the run into the target was nice and long.
Despite some cloud blocking the view the target was visible and bombs were laid right down the old pickle barrel. It was noted that while the railyard was totally obliterated no bombs seemed to have touched any other parts of the manufacturing area. Flak over the target was very heavy but somehow the squadron got through OK. The return flight was uneventful with the odd nuisance flak popping up but not really touching the squadron. The 190's that usually show up on the way home were handled by the P-38's before they could get to us. All squadron planes returned to base and no injuries. A classic sucessful milkrun mission.

22 AUGUST 43 - LILLE FACTORY COMPLEX - Moderate to severe damage to target.
Form-up and RV went well, and I believe we flew our best formation yet. Our escort was right on time and stayed with us. As it turned out, that worked very well as our formation was not attacked by fighters at all while others were. Saw two bombers attacked on the way home, I think one went in the channel. The flight plan went very well though the flak was heavy at times. We did see one bomber hit and go down on the way in. We hit the coast exactly on target and the run into the target was nice and long.
Despite some clouds the target was visible and bombs were laid right down the old pickle barrel. Flak over the target was very heavy but somehow the squadron got through mostly OK, my radio man SSgt. Douglas Parkhouse, took a hit and will be out of action for a few days. The return flight was uneventful for us though there were fighters in the area, they didn't seem interested in us. The odd nuisance flak popped up but, not really touching the squadron. The fighters that usually show up on the way home were handled by the escorts or took no interest in us. All squadron planes returned to base and only minor injuries were reported. All in all an excellent mission.
27 AUGUST 43 - LEIDEN FACTORY COMPLEX (HOLLAND) - SEVERE DAMAGE TO TARGET (75%)
Form-up was a struggle as the Wing was stretched out over the Channel. Our flight of three did fairly well staying in formation though. The group managed to close up over Holland but were still separated by some distance. Some flak as we neared the IP. Took some damage and some fuel leaks to number 1&4 fuel tanks which stopped. 190s engaged us just prior to the target and we lost our #2. Our aircraft took some hits and damage to the cockpit, co-pilot was bloodied and all gun positions except the ball turret had holes in their windows but we managed to keep going, though I lost track of the formation and ended up way off course to the left. I found a city that had a factory complex and dropped on it. I then found the formation and rejoined it and observed their drop. On target and no damage to the convent at all. We cleared the target area and made the turn towards the coast. We paralleled the course as per the flight plan but, flak was reaching out to us and restarted the fuel leaks on numbers 1&4 so I detoured further out over the water. By this time our fuel had been leaking pretty steadily so it was a matter of time as to when we'd run out. We made it to the Haamstede peninsula and turned out towards home. Number 4 had quit leaking but, number 1 was still leaking. We were ahead of the main body but heard at least two aircraft radio that they were ditching. The lead bomber had descended to 10,000ft and I had followed him down. Approximately halfway across the Channel his fuel gave out. He radioed me they were going to bail out instead of trying to ditch with no power. All his crew bailed out successfully and landed in the water within sight of each other. A Coastal Command SAR launch was on patrol and picked them all up within minutes of them landing in the water. We continued on back to base and after a hard landing, the tail section broke off on the second bounce. We all bailed out fine when the plane stopped skidding. 1Lt Carter, the co-pilot took some flying glass to the face but with his goggles and mask on he only suffered some minor cuts and should be fine for the next mission. All things considered, a good mission.

'OLD COFFIN II' JZ-J 42-0166
2 SEPTEMBER 43 - AACHEN ELECTRICAL COMPLEX - TARGET TOTALLY DESTROYED
FORMATION ON THIS ONE WAS MUCH BETTER ALTHOUGH A COUPLE OF GROUPS PULLED AWAY FROM THE MAIN GROUP, THEY PAID FOR IT LATER. FLAK WAS RELATIVELY MINOR UNTIL WE CROSSED THE THE MAASTRICHT-LIEGE RIVER LINE. THERE WAS A THICK FLAK BELT THERE BUT WE MANAGED TO GET THROUGH RELATIVELY UNSCATHED. OUR ESCORT WAS LATE TO THE PARTY AT THE RV BUT WERE THERE IN TIME TO TAKE ON THE FIGHTERS THAT SHOWED UP TO HASSLE US JUST BEFORE THE TARGET. NUMBER 2 WAS HIT FIRST AND FELL OUT OF FORMATION. OUR TURN WAS NEXT. THEY MADE A COUPLE OF PASSES KNOCKING OUT NUMBER 4 ENGINE, RIGHT ELEVATOR, DAMAGED THE AILERONS, MASSIVE FUEL LEAK ON MUMBER 3, BADLY WOULDED S/SGT BEN ARMSTRONG. THE BOMBER WENT INTO A SLOW LEFT SPIN AND I COULD NOT RECOVER IT. I ORDERED A BAILOUT AND ALL GOT OUT THOUGH S/SGT BEN ARMSTRONG DID NOT LIVE THROUGH IT. WE WERE ALL CAPTURED AND SENT TO STALAG LUFT 13 THE TOUGHEST STALAG IN GERMANY I'VE BEEN TOLD. OUR WAR IS OVER I GUESS. 

LOST IN THE CHANNEL RETURNING FROM LEIDEN MISSION - 27 AUG 43 - CREW RECOVERED BY BRITISH SAR

7 SEPTEMBER 43 - BRUXELLES (MELSBROEKE AIRFIELD) - TARGET PARTIALLY DESTROYED
We had good formation assembly over Felixstowe on the turn out to the Channel. The formation stretched a bit but, not as bad as last mission. The lead flight did get ahead of the rest of us though. Fighter escort met us at the RV and were on hand to engage EA when they showed up, unfortunately one did make it through and tore LITTLE KING up bad. With ball and tail turret gunners dead and the pilot wounded and lots of damage to the plane it looked bad. The engineer and radioman did what they could for the pilot but, it looked bad. The engineer took over the pilots seat and helped the co-pilot fly the bomber while the radioman took over the top turret. With the rudder out and elevators and ailerons very slow to respond if at all, they used the trim tabs to fly the plane. We managed to close up with the formation for the turn at the IP. Despite some scattered cloud cover the primary target was clearly visible and LITTLE KING made a good run, but didn't hit anything important. Unfortunately the main bomb drop was very clustered and landed in the middle area of the airfield where there was not much to damage at all. Flak was very heavy over the target. We took a hit to number one fuel tank but it was minor and sealed soon. We were able to keep the formation within visual range for the return trip. The crew did their best but our pilot died on the way back. The flak on the way back at various points was also heavy. We heard at least four of the group sending Maydays. We limped back to base without further issue and came straight in on runway 27 and got her down safely. The head of maintenance took one look and said she is only good for scrap parts now.

30 JULY 43 - POTEZ AIRCRAFT FACTORY - LAON - Target totally destroyed
Form-up and RV went OK although a little strung out. Little Friends joined up at the RV. No issues crossing Channel and hit French coast as per flight plan.
En fighters were engaged en route near Arras and the Little Friends kept them busy. The flak over Arras was medium to heavy. The IP and bomb-run was spot-on although cloud cover threatened to obscure the target. Clear patch however over the target at the last minute and bombs away exactly on factory buildings.
Excellent results (see Recon Photos). Flak was very heavy but got through it. Flak also heavy near Rethel but we turned off just prior and avoided most of it.
As we passed Arras to the north on the way back some 190s showed up and harassed us. We heard at least 3 bombers getting hit but couldn't see them as they were near the back of the main body. Gunners fought off a couple of the 190s and we only received minor damage, no injuries.
Crossed the coast east of Calais as planned, noticed flak over Calais but they were shooting at shadows. Arrived back at Boxstead without incident. Mission duration approx 3 hours. A good first mission for "Grin-N-Bear-It".

3 AUGUST 43 - TILBURG RAILYARD - TILBURG - Target totally destroyed
Form-up and RV went OK as usual. Due to comms screwup our escort was nowhere to be seen and apparently went ahead to 'clear the way' for us. As it turned out, that worked very well as our formation was not attacked by fighters at all. The flight plan went very well considering there was fairly thick patchy cloud cover at approx 12,000ft (contrary to met report). We hit the coast almost exactly on tgt and the run into the target was nice and long.
Despite some cloud blocking the view the target was visible and bombs were laid right down the old pickle barrel. It was noted that while the railyard was totally obliterated no bombs seemed to have touched any other parts of the manufacturing area. Flak over the target was very heavy but somehow the squadron got through OK. The return flight was uneventful with the odd nuisance flak popping up but not really touching the squadron. Happy to say all squadron planes returned to base and no injuries. A very successful mission.

13 AUGUST 43 - SYNTHETIC PLANT - DUSSELDORF --- ALTERNATE ATTACKED (NIJMEGEN AIRCRAFT FACTORY) - VERY POOR RESULTS
No issues with form-up and RV except once again the fighter escort got way ahead of us. While this was not the intent, they did manage to clear the way as the engaged enemy fighters before we arrived. The squadron was not bothered by any enemy fighters at all. Flak was sporadic en route with the expected heavy concentration occuring at the River Maas. We squeezed through an apparent gap in the flak coverage with no damage or injuries.
The flight plan was spot on with the navigation but on the bomb run at Dusseldorf thick cloud cover obscured the target until we were almost on top.
I called an abort on the primary and ordered the squadron to continue to the alternate at Nijmegen. Again, navigation was great but the cloud cover made lining up on the target difficult until we were very close. Bombs dropped but the majority went in the river. The rail bridge was partially destroyed and at least one large factory building was hit. Overall, poor results. The route home was uneventful with a detour south of Rotterdam to avoid the flak. RTB, no issues.

22 AUGUST 43 - LILLE FACTORY COMPLEX - Moderate to severe damage to target
Form-up didn't go as well this time around. The formation was a bit stretched out and the 'extra' bombers we were supposed to get failed to link up at the RV. Our own section however was nice and tight. We discovered that the others got there early and carried on without us. On the plus side it distracted some of the fighters, on the negative side it reduced the bombing impact. Our escort linked up with us as planned and the flight to the target went smoothly with only the odd flak pocket to avoid.
The IP was a decent distance from the target allowing a good bomb-run. Visibility was good and the target was picked up fairly easily. Flak was thick over the target but not that effective.
The bomb drop was smack on the money over the primary target area with good results observed. Direct hits on major factory buildings were confirmed.
There was no evidence however of the other group's bomb run. Our group is convinced they dropped on the wrong target.
The trip back was relatively OK except for some unlucky bombers being hit by flak and intercepted by some fighters. One bomber called in that they were ditching and the Brit SAR folks were notified....no news on whether they were picked up. Grin-n-bear-it made it back unscathed.

27 AUGUST 43 - LEIDEN FACTORY COMPLEX, HOLLAND - SEVERE DAMAGE TO TARGET (75%)
(Delayed report submission due to ditching in Channel on flight back). Form-up was a struggle again as the Wing was stretched out over the Channel. We managed to close up over Holland but were still separated by some distance. Some flak as we neared the IP. Took some damage and a coolant leak which stopped. 190s engaged us just prior to the target and we lost our #2. Our aircraft took some hits and damage to the cockpit but we managed to keep going. Some heavy cloud cover just before the target made me think about a go-around but it was an isolated cloud bank and the target was clear. Bomb drop (at 1316pm) was excellent and right on the money using the main two-stack building from the recon photo as a reference. No damage to the convent at all. We cleared the target area and made the sharp turn towards the coast. We paralleled the course as per the flight plan but flak was reaching out to us so I detoured further out over the water. By this time our fuel had been leaking pretty steadily so it was a matter of time as to when we'd run out. We made it to the Haamstede peninsula and turned out towards home. We were ahead of the main body but heard at least two aircraft radio that they were ditching. Approximately halfway across the Channel our fuel gave out and all engines quit. I'd already descended to 10,000ft and was planning on ditching the aircraft but with no power at all I thought it better for the crew to bail. I activated the bail-out alarm and ordered everybody out. All crew bailed out successfully and we landed in the water within sight of each other. A Coastal Command SAR launch was on patrol along our flight path and I'm happy to say picked us all up within minutes of us plonking in the drink. We got back to base later that night after some 'warming up' with some brandy and cigarettes with the Coastal Command boys. 1Lt Scharping, the co-pilot took some flying glass to the face but with his goggles and mask on he only suffered some minor cuts. All things considered, a good mission.

"GRIN-N-BEAR-IT II" JZ-L SER.NO. 42-97326
2 SEPTEMBER 43 - AACHEN ELECTRICAL COMPLEX - TARGET TOTALLY DESTROYED
Formation on this one was much better although it stretched out a bit near the target. Flak was relatively minor until we crossed the Maastricht-Liege River line. There was a thick flak betl there but we managed to ge through relatively unscathed. Our escort was late to the party at the RV but were there in time to take on the fighters that showed up to hassle us just before the target. OLD COFFIN II got picked on and went down. 9 chutes were seen. The flak over the target was medium to heavy. The bomb run for GRIN-N-BEAR-IT II, in a word, 'sucked'. A cloud bank obscured the target until it was too late to release. I decided to go-around given that i was ahead of the main body anyway. I miss timed the turn back and was still too close. The bombardier couldn't get the crosshairs onto the target so we had to settle for a drop literally right up against the side of the target. Luckily for us the rest of the group plastered the target, obliterating it. We cleared the target and the flack and had an uneventful trip back. I was on my own so linked up with another pair of 17s for the trip back. Minor damage to the cockpit and the nose but no injuries.

"GRIN-N-BEAR-IT II" B17-G JZ-L SER.NO. 42-97335
7 SEPTEMBER 43 - BRUXELLES (MELSBROEKE AIRFIELD) - TARGET PARTIALLY DESTROYED
Good assembly over Felixstowe on the turn out to the Channel. The formation stretched a bit as usual with the lead flight getting ahead of the rest of us. Fighter escort was on station just as we crossed into France and were on hand to engage EA when they showed up. We managed to close up for the turn at the IP. Despite some scattered cloud cover the primary target was clearly visible and GRIN-N-BEAR-IT-II made a good run, destroying a row of parked EA and some buildings. Unfortunately the main bomb drop was very clustered and landed in the middle area of the airfield where there was not much to damage at all. Flak was very heavy over the target. We took a hit to number two with some fuel leaking and the rudder control was pooched. I killed the number two engine and feathered the prop. With only three engines and using ailerons for steering I was eventually overtaken by the main body but was able to keep them within visual for the return trip. The flak on the way back at various points was also heavy. We heard at least four of the group sending Maydays. We limped back to base without further issue and came straight in on runway 27. Tailgunner was slightly wounded but treated and released.

12 SEPTEMBER 43 - KOLN (BUDSWEILERHOF AIRFIELD and MESSERSCHMITT FACTORY) - MINIMAL DAMAGE
"GRIN-N-BEAR-IT-II" LOST ON THIS MISSION, CREW SURVIVED
Form up for this mission was excellent. Station-keeping in the formation was well-done and the main body held together all the way to the target. Unfortunately between flak and EA the squadron was decimated. Despite the good formation and nice crossfire from the gunners, only two aircraft are known to have survived. GRIN-N-BEAR-IT-II was hit by flak and fighters with the flak doing the long-term damage as the fuel began leaking and couldn't be stopped. Fighters or flak tore off the port elevator completely but the aircraft was still flyable. GRIN-N-BEAR-IT-II dropped on the airfield with poor results. She managed to limp all the way back to the Albert Canal in Belgium but the fuel gave out and the crew was forced to bail. Word was received that all the crew got down safely but were captured and are heading to a Luft Stalag nearby.