F/O H. Brown -- 419 Squadron
While on operations to Leipzig on February 19/20,1944, Halifax II JP-200 coded VR-G, flown by F/O H. Brown from 419 Squadron was attacked by an FW-190.

While entering the target area at position 52:36N-11:05E, flying at 21,000 feet at a speed of 160 mph at 03:07, they sighted a enemy fighter, identified as an FW-190. Monica gave no warning.

The fighter was first sighted by the mid under gunner passing underneath from the port bow to the starboard quarter and climbing. F/O G. Willard, the rear gunner, sighted the fighter on the starboard quarter at 300 yards. The rear gunner opened fire with a short burst of 75 rounds and the fighter disappeared in the dark quarter at 600 yards and no other contact was made.

Visibility was good, fairly dark with no moon. No searchlights or flak, 7/10ths cloud, 9,000 feet below. There were no visual ground aid or fighter flares. No damage was noted on the fighter or to the Halifax. 

F/O A. Byford -- 419 Squadron
While on operations to Leipzig on February 19/20,1944, Halifax II JP-204 coded VR-E flown by F/O A. Byford of 419 Squadron, was attacked by either a JU-88 or an ME-210.

While entering the target area at 52:08N-12:35E, flying at 22,000 feet, speed of 160 mph at 4:01, they were attacked by an enemy aircraft, identity not sure, either an ME-210or JU-88, but Sgt N. Fraser, the rear gunner inclined to say JU-88. The Monica was not working.

The fighter was first sighted by the rear gunner, starboard down at 1,000 yards, almost dead below, the rear gunner had to stand in his turret to keep it in view. The mid under gunner kept contact and then the fighter came in to attack. The rear gunner gave the combat manoeuver, corkscrew starboard, and both the rear gunner and enemy fighter opened fire at 500 yards. The rear gunner’s burst was a short one of 75 rounds and all guns had stoppages, after the hydraulic motor was hit by a cannon shell. The attack was broken off on the port quarter and the fighter was lost from view. The rear gunner then gave the resume course.

Visibility was good, no moon, searchlights or flak. There was 10/10ths cloud, 7,000 feet below and no visual ground aid. At the time of attack there was approximately six fighter flares, dead astern at 600 yards. No damage was noted to the fighter, although trace appeared to hit the nose. The Halifax sustained damage, turret u/s due to hydraulic motor, port tail plane shot away, fuselage and port wing were holed. During the combat maneuver, the mid under hit his head on the ammo tracks and suffered a minor cut.

P/O G. Scade -- 419 Squadron
While on operations to Leipzig on February 19/20,1944, Halifax II JD-459 coded VR-Q flown by P/O G. Scade of 419 Squadron, was attacked by a JU-88.

While entering the target area, at position 53:08N-07:10E, flying at a height of 18,000 feet, speed of 196 mph at 00:05, they were attacked by an enemy fighter, identified as a JU-88. The Monica was u/s.

The fighter was first sighted by Sgt O. Lee, the rear gunner, on the sky line, port quarter up at 500 yards and commencing his attack.  The rear gunner gave the combat maneuver, corkscrew port and opened fire with a short burst of 50 rounds and on his second burst, three guns packed up, the top left firing 75 rounds.

The JU-88 broke off the attack on the starboard quarter at 300 yards and was lost from the gunner’s view. The rear gunner gave the resume course. All the guns were cleared of stoppages.

Visibility was good. Very dark and no moon. No searchlights or flak. 7/10ths cloud, 6,000 feet below and no visual ground aid. No fighter flares were seen. At the time of attack there was a red T.I marker, supposedly dropped by the pathfinders as a route marker. No damage was noted on the enemy aircraft and no damage was sustained by the Halifax.

F/Sgt H. Foy -- 420 Squadron
While on operations to Leipzig on February 19/20,1944, Halifax III LW-389 coded PT-N flown by F/Sgt H. Foy from 420 Squadron, was attacked by a JU-88.

On the return journey from the target, they encountered a enemy aircraft, identified by Sgt Lee, the rear gunner, as being a JU-88 at position 53:10N-05:10E at 05:36, while flying at 172 mph on a course of 287 degrees at 20,000 feet. Visibility was fair, with no moon and 10/10ths cloud with tops at 6,000 feet with 5/10ths cloud at 20,000 feet.

The enemy aircraft was first sighted by the rear gunner on the starboard quarter up at approximately 400 yards, after Monica gave a warning at 600 yards range. The enemy aircraft approached to 200 yards and broke away on the port quarter up. It then crossed back to the starboard quarter and again attacked, breaking away as in the first attack. 

The final attack was delivered from the starboard quarter with the enemy aircraft closing in to 150 yards before breaking away to the port quarter down. Immediately Monica gave warning and the rear gunner gave the combat manoeuver, cork screw starboard and this continued until the fighter broke away on his last attack and was lost from sight.  There was no searchlight activity in the immediate vicinity before or during the encounter, but heavy flak was being put up on both sides of the track with none directed at the bomber. No visible damage was caused to the JU-88. The rear gunner only opened fire on the last attack, firing 150 rounds from all four guns with out stoppages.

F/O W. Blake -- 428 Squadron
While on operations to Leipzig on February 19/20,1944, Halifax II LW-285 coded NA-Z, flown by F/O W. Blake was attacked multiple times by enemy fighters.

While on the outward flight to the target, at position 53:55N-04:55E, at 01:37, they were attacked by an FW-190, identified by W/O1 J. Houston, the rear gunner. The Halifax was flying at 22,000 feet, course of 117 degrees and at 202 mph. Visibility was fairly good with 10/10ths cloud at approximately 7,000 feet. It was clear above with some fighter flares being dropped in the vicinity. 

The first attack was made at 01.37 by an FW-190 from the port quarter up at 800 yards. It opened fire with cannons and closing in rapidly, fired a couple short burst. As the rear gunner sighted the enemy aircraft, he gave the combat manoeuver, corkscrew port and the enemy’s fire passed above the Halifax, disappearing to starboard. At the time of encounter, some fighter flares were being dropped in the vicinity.

At 02:07 at position 53:15N-06:40E a second attack was made by an unidentified single engined aircraft from the starboard quarter up and at a range of 800 yards, opened fire. Another corkscrew to starboard, lost the attacking aircraft and the rear gunner did not open fire.

A third attack was made at 03:02 at position 52:37N-10:40E by a JU-88 as identified by the rear gunner.  At extreme range this aircraft opened fire with short bursts none of which damaged the Halifax, as the tracer was passing over top. This attack was made from the starboard quarter level and again, the rear gunner did not open fire. The Halifax was now down to 20,000 feet.

A fourth attack was made from the starboard quarter low at 03:30 at position 52:36N-11:45E by an unidentified and unseen aircraft as the Halifax was taking evasive action to avoid predicted flak. The Halifax was hit by flak which damaged the starboard fin and rudder and destroyed the intercom to the mid under gunner and rear turret, also damaging the oxygen supply. When this unidentified aircraft attacked, the rear gunner had to used light signals to the pilot, and before the combat manoeuver to starboard was completed, cannon fire entered the fuselage, approximately half way down opposite the entrance hatch and cut off oxygen supply to the rear turret. The rear gunner was unable to find the enemy aircraft 

A fifth attack was made from the port quarter level at 03:42 at position 52:14N-12:31E by a single engine, unidentified aircraft and at a range of about 600 yards, it opened fire with cannons and machine guns. The rear gunner gave instructions to corkscrew port and opened fire with all four guns working. This unidentified aircraft then broke of the attack to starboard and was no seen again. No damage was done to the Halifax on this attack, but the rear gunner claims that some strikes were seen on the enemy aircraft. 

 A total of 200 rounds were fired by the rear gunner with no stoppages. Good co-operation between the pilot and rear gunner was shown when the intercom was damaged and light signals had to be used, to evade the attacking aircraft.

F/O N. Brown -- 428 Squadron
While on operations to Leipzig on February 19/20,1944, Halifax II JN-967 coded NA-X flown by F/O N. Brown of 428 Squadron, was attacked by a JU-88.

While on the way to the target at position 52:10N-12:37E at 03:23 while flying at a height of 20,000 feet on a course of 128 degrees at 196 mph. The visibility was fair with some haze and 10/10ths at 10,000 feet. The attacking aircraft, identified as a JU-88, opened fire as it approached from the starboard quarter level with cannons. At this time Sgt Hawthorn, the rear gunner, was searching on the port side for an aircraft that had been reported by another member of the crew and did not see the attacking aircraft till it opened fire. The rear gunner then swung his turret to starboard to meet this attack and opened fire with a two second burst, after giving the combat maneuver, corkscrew starboard.  The enemy’s cannon fire passed above the Halifax, and was subsequently lost to view on the port quarter up.

A total of 200 rounds were fired by the rear gunner from all four guns with no stoppages. No claim of damage was made against the JU-88 and none sustained by the Halifax.

F/Lt R. Hunt -- 429 Squadron
While on operations to Leipzig on February 19/20,1944, Halifax V LL-178 coded AL-V flown by F/Lt R. Hunt from 429 Squadron, was attacked by an ME-109.

While on commencement of the bombing run they encountered an enemy aircraft, identified by both gunners as being an ME-109 at position 51:20N-12:22E at 04:05 while flying at 170 mph, on a course of 200 degrees at 21,500 feet. Visibility was good with no moon and 10/10ths cloud below with tops at 6,000 feet.

The enemy aircraft carried no lights and was first sighted by F/Lt Pollard, the rear gunner, on the pot quarter above. The rear gunner immediately ordered the combat maneuver “corkscrew port” and at the same time, Sgt Wilton, the mid upper gunner, sighted the fighter at about 250 yards and opened fire with a short burst. The fighter immediately fell away on the port quarter and was not seen again. The pilot resumed course on the bombing run after having completed one dive. As the Halifax went into the dive, another Halifax passed to starboard and it is thought that the enemy aircraft was about to attack this second Halifax. 

The beams of several searchlights illuminated the sky, and fighter flares were in evidence at the time of encounter. Monica was u/s and there were no signs of imminent attack. The enemy aircraft did not open fire, so the type of armament is not known. The mid upper gunner claims some strikes on the fighter. The mid upper gunner fired 250 rounds with no stoppages.

F/Sgt J. James -- 433 Squadron
While on operations to Leipzig on February 19/20,1944, Halifax III HX-275 coded BM-S flown by F/Sgt J. James from 433 Squadron, was attacked by an ME-109 and an FW-190.

On the way to the target at position 52:17N-13:48E, on a course of 127 degrees at 22,000 feet, speed 150 mph at 03:40 they encountered an enemy aircraft, identified as an ME-109.

The enemy aircraft was first sighted by Sgt J. Bretsch, the rear gunner, on the starboard quarter up, and 350 yards, flying a parallel course. The rear gunner opened fire and instructed the pilot to corkscrew starboard. The enemy aircraft banked away to port. As the pilot of the bomber was climbing to port, the enemy aircraft attacked again from the port quarter at 500 yards. The rear gunner opened fire and the fighter was lost from sight. Three stoppages occurred during this encounter. The rear gunner claims slight damage. The ME-109 did not open fire.

A second attack occurred on the way to the target at position 52:00N-13:49E, speed 150 mph, course 270 degrees at a height of 22,000 at 03:53. 

The enemy aircraft, an FW-190, was first sighted by the rear gunner astern up at 200 yards. The rear gunner instructed the pilot to corkscrew starboard and attempted to fire at the fighter, but all guns were unserviceable. The FW-190 was lost in the initial dive of the corkscrew and did not open fire.

F/Sgt R. Thomas -- 433 Squadron
While on operations to Leipzig on February 19/20,1944, Halifax III HX-287 coded BM-U flown by F/Sgt R. Thomas from 433 Squadron, was attacked by a JU-88.

Just after leaving the target, while flying at 22,000 feet they encountered an enemy aircraft, identified as a JU-88 at position 51:16N-12:23E on a course of 217 degrees, speed 180 mph at 04:10. 

The JU-88 was first sighted by the bomb aimer on the port bow down as it climbed to attack. The enemy aircraft opened fire as the bomb aimer gave warning, and during this short burst scored strikes on the port wing of the bomber. The fighter then broke off underneath and turned in again from the starboard quarter, slightly up at 600 yards. Sgt D. Grant, the rear gunner instructed the pilot to corkscrew starboard as the JU-88 fired a short burst from 400 yards which passed to port of the bomber. The rear gunner fired 150 rounds with two stoppages. No further damage was claimed and the JU-88 broke away to port.

The JU-88 came in again from the port quarter level, but was lost after the initial dive of the corkscrew to port. It seemed like only small caliber armament was use

Pilot F/O D. Evans--434 Squadron
While on operations to Leipzig on February 19/20,1944, Halifax V LK-682 coded WL-R, flown by F/O D. Evans from 434 Squadron was attacked by a single engined enemy aircraft.

At 01:45 hrs, while flying over the sea, just before the concentration point at 19,000 feet outbound to the target, a single engine aircraft went by in the opposite direction with 2 green lights burning on each wing. On sighting the Halifax, it turned round and attacked from the stbd quarter up, opening fire at 350 yards. A cork screw was ordered and Sgt J. Sleigher, the mid upper gunner, fired two long bursts in return, as well, Sgt R. Ballentine, the rear gunner, fired one short burst. There were no stoppages on any guns and tracer was seen to hit the target.

The aircraft broke up and away and did not attack a second time. A couple of minutes later it was seen flying a parallel course on the port side with the green navigation lights still on.

F/Sgt H. Hawley -- 434 Squadron
While on operations to Leipzig on February 19/20,1944, Halifax V LK-703 coded WL-W flown by F/Sgt H. Hawley from 434 Squadron, was attacked by multiple JU-88's. 

On the way to the target they were having difficulty in obtaining height and were flying between 16,000 and 18,000 feet. They were also off track. They were then coned by searchlights over Bremen and were held for ten minutes by forty of them. Heavy flak was encountered all this time and the aircraft was taking violent corkscrew, evasive action. In order to maintain height, five containers of incendiaries were jettisoned.

At this moment a JU-88 appeared about 300 yards away on the port bow up. It dropped a white flare that broke into three white stars, and almost immediately all the searchlights went out. At the same time, another JU-88 came in from the port quarter level. It was seen at about 300 yards away and opened fire at 200 yards. Sgt A. Forsyth, the mid upper gunner, who was the only one able to pick this up, lost it behind the tail unit. Sgt R. Bannister, the rear gunner, did not pick it up as he was still blinded by the searchlights, which at this moment went out. The bomber was doing a violent corkscrew, however the shots from the JU-88 went wide. The other seven containers of incendiaries were now jettisoned and the aircraft turned on a reciprocal and headed for home. 

Fighter flares were dropped all around. One was a red flare, which seemed to break into a sort of carpet and run down in a stream. One was a big red ball that seemed to float, and there were a number of white flares. An unidentified aircraft now appeared with navigation lights on. This approached to about 600 yards on the port beam level and continued these spoof attacks again and again. 

After it fourth or fifth spoof, tracer was seem coming up around the bomber from below. The rear gunner then made out a JU-88 about 400 yards away, 45 degrees down and dead astern. It was firing at the Halifax. The rear gunner opened fire at once and the JU-88 broke off its attack. The fighters now seemed to lose the bomber, which was still corkscrewing, and no further attacks were experienced on the return journey. Monica worked perfectly throughout and was of the greatest assistance during these attacks. There was some 2 dozen bullet holes in the wings and engines, and the port inner gave trouble all the way back to base. There were no casualties among the crew.