It was January 17, 1945, when we arrived in Gourock, Scotland. I was traveling with multiple green troops, and we were not sure when this war would end. I did know one thing, though. I knew by the time I had returned it was almost too late to get all of this information back to you. I had only scribbled notes I pieced together in-between mission runs. I was scared I would not make it home to do so. We almost died out there... Welcome to Crew No. 8434, my personal memoir.