Wing Commander Algy Martell looked worried as he opened the Morning Briefing at RAF Uxbridge. He reached for another Players Medium Cut and Flying Officer Morgan thought he detected a tremor in his voice as he spoke to the waiting Lancaster crew. “Stand easy – now look lads the mission today is the Bounty at Cookham again”, the crew groaned; ”I’m sorry but we must get a clear photo of the place or the whole future of Wing Stats is in jeopardy! It’s that serious, now can I rely on you ?” “We’ll do our best Wing” said Morgan, “you know how hard we tried on the last mission but with the atrocious weather and flack over the Chilterns and those junkers coming out of nowhere we had to turn back at Maidenhead” “Yes yes I know that was a tough call but let’s not talk about our losses, just get out there and get those pictures, I’m counting on you getting through” and his voice broke – God war does funny things to a chap, thought Bombardier “Scotty” Hayes. “Chocs away” shouted Second Pilot Potter and the Lancaster peloton rumbled heavily out of Uxbridge heading west and gaining altitude. Almost immediately the weather closed in, with heavy precipitation and zero visibility, the Met report was spot on for a change. Radio operator Cull had brought his little three legged dog Connie along for good luck and he and Rear Gunner “Chocks” Woodward exchanged some banter before the going became tougher. The intercom flew into action as the crew discussed the possibilities of achieving the mission or bailing out - “If we level out after the Thames, Skip we may not make it back” “Hold your nerve man” shouted Potter “We can’t fail Wings a second time” ......... Suddenly there was the dreadful sound of engine failure, “You can’t hold her on this course at these revs” screamed Cull – his derailleur had completely sheared off and only by a combined crew effort was the chain shortened and repaired – F/O Morgan took an executive decision : “OK I’m aborting this mission, we’ll wheel south at Beaconsfield”. There was consternation on the intercom “We’ll all be labelled “Lack of Moral Fibre””. “Don’t worry lads I’ll square it with Wing Co Martell, we’ll have to go again next month” ....