Jay says that most airmen would agree that all “ops” were memorable - and he believes that he had more than his share of close calls or “shaky doos”, for example:
1) On January 8, 1944 his aircraft (Halifax II) suffered a smashed rear turret when another aircraft rear-ended it during night circuits and bumps at #1656 HCU Lindholme.
2) On first trip (2nd dickie) to Russelheim, the Mid Upper turret on their Lancaster was hit by flak.
3) On second trip (Kiel), they survived fighter attack and severe bad weather but lost Port Inner engine.
4) On October 14, 1944 their aircraft caught fire on take-off on their 13th trip. Pilot Hannah took the fully loaded aircraft off on three engines, reached approximately 300 ft. and ordered crew to bail out. Starboard wing blew off as Jay rolled under the tail-plane. Pilot and BA killed, navigator badly injured.
5) Over Dusseldorf on 15th trip November 2, 1944 their aircraft was coned for six minutes while flying with the Station Commander. Badly shot up.
6) On 25th trip on February 20, 1945 experienced two attacks over Dortmund first by ME410 (claimed damage) and by JU88.
7) On their 26th trip hit by falling incendaries over Duisberg, attacked by JU88 on return(claimed damage).
8) On 34th trip, again hit by falling incendaries, tanks holed.
Jay says: “I hope that this doesn’t sound like too much of a line-shoot! But it is a sample of excerpts from my log book.