We used B.58 today at Woensbruck to mount an attack on the Battle Group Chill which had solidified its defensive perimeter at the coast just northwest of Antwerp. We bombed up with the usual 1000 lbs of bombs and had some problems with intruders around the airfield. We moved away from the area at very low altitude until about 15 miles away and then proceeded to climb to around 15,000 ft. We quickly noticed that a USAAF Spitfire had attached itself to us as an escort. We were not expecting that. Over the bombline we did experience some light FLAK but nothing serious. Sqn Ldr Merfort gave the commands to put us into line astern and then the whole flight expertly rolled to starboard to execute our trademark steep diving attack. I suspected one or two of the Flight's bombs had short delays set as I saw a number of explosions in front of me before I arrived at release height. After a normal release routine, and I believe that I put those bombs right onto the middle of the target, I egressed out very low at tree top height heading south with a view to RV over the small town about 10 miles away. I heard on the R/T that P/O Cook was having trouble with both a 262 and a 109, I heard him shout that he was engaging and then the radio went quiet. The next moment I heard him call on the R/T that he had lost his tail and that he was going in. I broke hard to port and looked for him, he was perhaps over the water when he went in but could not see any evidence of either Gunny or any E/A. I recovered to my original bearing and after RVing with Red Three we later RV'd with both Red One and Red Two. Once the OC organised us into formation we returned smartly back to Woesnbruck. On landing my a/c was struck in the rear by Red Two somewhat forcibly and both a/c are seriously damaged. The Engineering Officer was having something serious to say to Red Two whilst I was being taken care of by the Intelligence Officer. I experienced some severe pain in my neck and whiplash was suspected. F/Lt 'Madov' Emblin |
