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Immediate Sorties 8. Flying Hours 53.35. Pilot. Air2/8467. On 19th May 1942, Sergeant Batchelder was captain of one the aircraft detailed to attack Mannheim. Just after crossing the Dutch coast at a height of 12,500 feet and on course to Givet, accurate light flak was encountered and the undercarriage, accumulator and hydraulic system was damaged. The target was sighted at approximately 01.35 hours and attacked at 01.49 hours, height 16,000 feet. Returning by the same route and near Brussels the inboard engine cut through No.1 tank running it dry. The Flight Engineer switched on No.2 tank and discovered the cable on No.2 tank (Port) had been severed and the port engine failed to re-start. The captain feathered the airscrew and trimmed the aircraft to fly on three engines, height 14,000 feet. The Dutch coast was crossed at 03.58 hours and the rear gunner reported an arrow formation of lights and one searchlight on the ground pointing on the course of the aircraft.. The captain started weaving at 04.05 hours at 12,000 feet. The rear gunner reported an Me. 110 about 90 yards astern. The Me.110 and the gunners, mid upper and rear, opened fire simultaneously. The captain took evasive action to port and the enemy's tracer passed to starboard. The enemy aircraft passed beneath and made a second attack from port quarter while the captain made a diving turn to starboard. During this, the Halifax was considerably shot about. The evasive action was taken down to 2,500 feet, when the aircraft was trimmed. The fighter was last seen diving past at 3,000 feet. Both gunners claimed to have scored hits and believed the fighter destroyed. The English coast was crossed north of Lowestoft at a height of 1,200 feet at 04.40 hours, the aircraft homing on Horsham St. Faith. The captain, when he thought he was near the aerodrome, called Darky and received no reply. He again called Darky and used Mayday as the aircraft was short on petrol and barely maintaing height. He recieved an answer from Horsham St. Faith and the aerodrome lights were switched on. The wheels were dropped and, when landing, the captain discovered that he could not hold the aircraft up with the control column as the elevators were almost jammed. He used the elevator trimming tabs and the aircraft landed safely. Sergeant Batchelder has completed 8 operational sorties, 5 as second pilot and 3 as captain. I consider this pilot showed exceptional airmanship in bringing his aircraft and crew safely to base. I consider that owing to Sergeant Batchelder's fine piloting, he was mainly instrumental in bring his aircraft and crew safely to base and I strongly recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal. 24th May, 1942. Remarks by Station Commander Sergeant Batchelder's fine display of courage, determination and exceptional airmanship enabled him to bomb his target and bring his aircraft back home to base in a very badly damaged condition, thereby saving the lives of his crew. I very strongly recommend him for the immedaite award of the Distinguished Medal LG 16.6.42 PM Sent
