Left Volkel with Flt Lt Merfort and we headed northwest towards Gorinchem across the bomb line at around 5000 ft. A little FLAK was observed again but no e/a sighted. After about 10 minutes of patrolling back and forth around the front line area my a/c was hit by low level flak and I received shrapnel wounds in my chest and leg. Not wounded seriously but the a/c was severely peppered on both wings and engine which started spewing forth a mixture of oil and coolant. I immediately took up a course for base and reduced rpm and boost to give the engine more time to at least get me clear of the front line area. Flt Lt Merfort provided cover above and after a little while the engine stopped and I put the a/c down in a snow covered field, between Gorinchem and Tilborg. Starboard wing broke off. A/c can be recovered and is probably a Cat B damaged. A couple of soldiers out on patrol were in the field and they assisted me out of the cockpit and rendered me excellent first aid to stop the bleeding. Taken back to their HQ and then onto Volkel base hospital. F/Lt 'Madov' Emblin |
