(EXTRACT) : 20th July to Leipzig. . . . in the top turret was Gilbert Bradley and his diary comments give a graphic commentary of events. "We were hit on the IP by Me109s and Fw190s. We had six attacks of about 50-75 each," he noted. "They hit the low squadron which I was in. After the third attack there was only two of us left and we were both shot out of formation. On the third attack we got two 20mm hits in No.2 fuel tank which shook the whole ship. It was burning very badly and I thought it was going to explode."

.... Gilbert's diary continued, "I shot down one Me109 and set another on fire. Ernie (Mock, tail gunner) shot down two which exploded in mid air. Bossert (ball turret) shot an Fw190 and the pilot bailed out." When they finally arrived back over Bassingbourn those on the ground were surprised to see them for they had been reported as lost in action. Gilbert concluded his diary entry for that day, "I guess I am a cat . . . I am living my third life!"