With Gibson and the first wave airborne, McCarthy in the ‘spare’ finally got underway at 22:01 hrs he was 33 minutes behind schedule. The rest of the second wave began approaching the Dutch coast just before 23:00 hrs. Munro began to take flak, he was unfortunate enough to run into either the luckiest or best shot in the German air defence network. A shell passed through the cockpit floor, missed his foot and went out through the top of the canopy, taking out the compass on the way. A second round went through the radio bay taking out the intercom. A third hit the rear of the plane putting the rear turret out of action. Munro realised they would be useless without the ability to communicate amongst themselves and other aircraft and reluctantly turned for home. Landing back at Scampton at 00:36 hrs. Geoff Rice, seeing the flak ahead tried to get lower to the sea, too late he realised he’d over done it and hauled back on the yoke, skimming the sea the Upkeep mine was ripped from it’s mount and smashed the rear bomb bay fairing. As the plane climbed a large volume of water was scooped up and flooded down the fuselage and out around and through the rear turret almost drowning tail gunner Sgt Steve Burns. With their mine gone they also turned for home, touching down 11 minutes after Munro. Vern Byers was hit hard by flak as he passed over the island of Texel, the plane caught fire and then exploded, crashing into the sea at 22:57 hrs,with no survivors. Norm Barlow made it across the sea and crossed the Dutch coast avoiding the flak. He then turned South to follow railway lines that led towards Germany and their target the Sorpe Dam. At 23:50 hrs he apparently flew into an electricity pylon, the aircrafts fuel tanks exploded and the aircraft crashed with no survivors. The Upkeep mine rolled clear of the burning wreckage, it’s self destruct fuse had not been armed after take off and the Germans got Britains latest secret weapon to exam over breakfast. One of those killed in Barlows plane was rear gunner Sgt Jack Liddel, the youngest flyer on the mission at only 17yrs old. Wave 2 was now down to one plane, ED825 / AJ - T the 'spare', McCarthy, with an uneventful sea crossing behind him had made up 10 minutes of his lost time. Avoiding the flak around Texel his front and rear gunners took pot shots at probing searchlights, their aircraft was hit but nothing serious. McCarthy now turned South to follow the railway, they gained a bit of altitude as they passed a fire blazing in a field below. Sgt Ron Batson in the front turret then spotted a train chugging through the night and fired a few rounds in it’s direction. The flak battery in transit were not pleased at having their slumber disturbed and opened up ‘big time’ fortunately in their drowsy state the fire was general and un co-ordinated. One round did pass through the starboard wheel well however puncturing the tyre, McCarthy ordered “ no more pot shots” and pressed on to the target.Reaching the Sorpe at 00:15 hrs he was surprised to see no evidence of any attack, as he was unaware of the fate of the other aircraft. After a brief look McCarthy made his first ‘run’, bomb aimer George Johnson was not happy with the line and aborted the drop. Nine runs later, Johnson was becoming unpopular but finally satisfied with the line he released the mine, without the spot light altimeter he estimated their height at about 30 feet. The mine landed just off centre and a huge explosion sent water high into the air. No breach was seen and after circling for a few minutes they turned for home. Landing back at Scampton at 03:23 hrs, the only thing they could report was minor damage to the crest of the dam. With Gibson and the first wave approaching the Dutch coast……….. I'm away for a few days so we'll pick this up Wednesday or Thurs........just kidding !, see you tomorrow :-)