Rear-Gunner Sgt. Johnny Foster by the rear turret of his Halifax shortley after shooting down a JU88 night-fighter in early May 1944 (Wright crew had 2 claims).

Crew 81 - F/O W. Wright (Pilot)

Enemy JU-88 Destroyed

Appendix “A”

COMBAT REPORT PRO FORMA

1. Date: 27/28 April 1944. Target: Montzen. Sqdn: 434. A/C Letter: WL-M

2. A/C Type & Mark: Halifax V. Serial No: LL-167

3. What Special Equipment (i.e. BOOZER I, BOOZER III, AURAL MONICA, VISUAL MONICA, FISHPOND A.T. IV, A.I.-V, A.G.L.T.) was carried? Say whether serviceable, u/s, or not used at the time of combat: Visual. Unserviceable.

Was operator TRAINED/UNTRAINED: N/A.

4. Time: 0125. Height: 15,000 ft. Heading: 139 Magnetic.

5. Position: Latitude: 5100N. / Longitude: 0525E. Outward.

6. Weather (Cloud; Moon and position in relation to Bomber; Visibility, etc: Clear. Visibility good.

7. Searchlights, Flares, Flak, etc … prior to or during attack: None

8. What was the first warning? VISUAL/FIRE FROM UNSEEN AIRCRAFT/SPECIAL EQUIPMENT. (Say which equipment if more than one): Fire from unseen aircraft.

9. What was the immediate action taken? Corkscrew Starboard.

10. If the first warning was not special equipment, did it warn later? No.

11. First Visual. Range: None. Starboard/Astern/Down.

How long after first warning? N/A

12. Which member of the crew obtained first visual? Rear Gunner.

13. E/A. Type: JU. No: 88. Formation: 1 aircraft.

14. Did E/A carry lights? None.

15. Direction of Attack or Approach; Starboard Quarter Below.

16. Direction of Breakaway: Port Quarter Below. Range: 300 yards.

17. What combat maneuver taken? Corkscrew Starboard. Range: N/A.

18. Did fighter fire? Yes. Opening Range: 400 yards. Closing Range: 300 Yards.

19. Rear Gunner. Rounds: 400 Opening Range: 350 yards Stoppages: None

20. M/U Gunner. Rounds: None Opening Range … Stoppages …

21. Under Gunner. Rounds: N/A Opening Range … Stoppages …

22. Front Gunner. Rounds: N/A Opening Range … Stoppages …

23. Who opened fire first? FIGHTER

24. Were you able to clear the stoppages? N/A

25. Damage to Bomber: Lower Starboard Half Rudder shot away. Cannon hole in fin.

26. Casualties to Crew: Nil.

27. Damage to Fighter: Claimed as destroyed.

28. Rear Gunner: Sgt. Foster, J. (R.192284), 9 B&G (A.G.S.), 19 O.T.U., 1664 H.C.U.

Mid-Upper: P/O Bray, D. (160616), 1 Pembray (A.G.S), 19 O.T.U., 1664 H.C.U.

29. Where trained? As Above.

30. Bomber off track/on track/returning early when combat occurred? On Track.

31. Loss of Height during encounter: 1,500 feet.

32. Was under-gun position manned? None.

33. Which crew position was searching away from the attack, or in the dark part of the sky? Type of second enemy aircraft seen: Searching Port side.

34. Mechanical defects or damage previously sustained affecting combat? None.

In the case of attacks (i.e. cases in which the enemy aircraft opened fire) and of other combats involving claims of enemy aircraft destroyed – a narrative giving the proper time sequence of all events must be added. It should include all features of general interest not covered by the above questionnaire.

The Junkers 88 which made its attack was not noticed by either gunner at first. As tracer was seen by the rear gunner, Sgt. Foster, he gave the order to corkscrew to starboard at which time he opened up on the enemy aircraft. Hits were observed and the enemy aircraft disappeared under the bomber and was on fire, no more was see of the aircraft.

(C.C. SHERRING) F/Lt.

Gunnery leader,

No.434 Squadron (R.C.A.F.)