As a mid-upper gunner on Avro Lancaster B111-LM546 of 625 Squadron based at RAF Kelstern, I was part of a crew on our twenty-third operation. With fingers crossed that we would complete our required thirty operations, we took off on the night of 28th July 1944 for our target, which was, in fact, Stuttgart.

Following a few "dog-legs" to avoid known flak batteries, we could see our target approaching and could hear the Master Bomber requesting that we bomb the green TI’s (Target Indicators).

As we approach the target, accurate fire from a Messerschmitt stopped the starboard engine and the undercarriage leg hung down with the tyre on fire. The port engine and wing were set alight with brilliant white flames reaching rearward.

At 01:10 hours, the Skipper, PO Frank Collett, gave the order "Bale Out" from ten thousand feet. Both the rear gunner and I remembered to dive out head first from the rear door to avoid being hit by the tail plane (which is fairly close). The rest of the crew baled out safely.

I landed in a wooded area and immediately attempted to bury my ‘chute…not an easy task! I then walked to a road where after a short time I was arrested by a German policeman.

Following a night in the cells, I was sent to an interrogation centre where I was re-united with the rest of the crew. Later, the NCOs were sent to Stalag Luft III.

The winter months of January-February 1945 found the POWs and our German guards on a forced march across Germany, retreating from the advancing Russian troops.

Eventually liberated by Allied Forces, the crew were flown back to England in May 1945.