January 16, 1945 - 'Second Dickie'

From the Operations Record Book:  

26 aircraft 2 reserve aircraft and crews stood by for operations. The crews were briefed and 28 aircraft took off without incident at 17.30 hours to attack the synthetic oil plant at ZEITZ, situated some 20 miles south of Leipzig. "E" (F/Lt Pyke) had a somewhat "dicey do" soon after take off and while climbing over base the port outer engine caught fire; unable to extinguish it or feather the airscrew, F/Lt Pyke proceeded out to sea to jettison his bombs and do it quickly as the fire threatened to get out of hand. However, all went well for the fire went out soon after recrossing the coast and landed safely. The weather was as per forecast and gave no trouble. On arrival at their distant target they found clear weather and good visibility. The bombing was highly concentrated on the centre of the target. 9 major explosions and one really super explosion which belched forth flame and black oily smoke were seen, The crew were really enthusiastic and highly satisfied with their night's work. The defences and night fighters were very active, but all returned safely to base.

---

All new pilots were required to fly a ‘second dickey’ trip with a veteran crew to expose them to operational hazards and the German defences.  Harris completed his second dickie flight as second pilot to W/O Smith during this raid on Zeitz.  Ditson also completed his first live operation on this raid, acting as Mid-Upper Air Gunner for F/O Nye.[1]

Although new pilots did not take his own crew with him on these trips, these trips usually counted towards the pilot’s tour of operations and most pilots continued to fly with their crews until all members of the crew had completed the required thirty trips.[2]  Other times, senior officers such as Flight Lieutenants and Squadron Leaders, who were only permitted to fly once a month, would 'appropriate' a crew for a live operation to restore the balance.[3]

---

[1] Nye and his crew would be killed just two weeks later on February 3rd.  According to 550 Squadron records, 14 aircraft left base to attack a coking plant at Bottrop, north of Essen.  It is believed they were shot down by a night-fighter over the Netherlands.  A memorial to the crew of PD221 has been erected near the crash site in Westerbeek, Netherlands.

[2] Towards the end of the war, the required number of trips was increased to 36, to prevent having to train new pilots in the final months www.lancaster-archive.com

[3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/33/a2281033.shtml