It was a quiet flight until we were well out over the North Sea where Danforth, Clarke's replacement in the tail, spotted a Me-110 coming up behind us. We played hide-and-seek for a while before we got away.
The next 110 found us as we approached Magdeburg. Cain's navigation instruments were smashed and Daily was hit before Danforth saw it coming. Daily, fortunately, wasn't too bad off, and was able to stay at his post in the mid-upper turret. This 110 hit us again before I managed to shake him off, but no more serious damage was taken.
The city's searchlights caught us, so we attracted some flak, but the damage was insignificant and Dahlgren was able to keep us on target.
Without navigation instruments, it was going to be a long trip back. Right after leaving the target area, Danforth spotted another 110, and shot it down before it could line up on us. Yet another 110 chased us around the sky, until Dahlgren was able to get a good shot off as it passed in front of us. That's his fourth! Danforth soon spotted another. This time Daily, despite his wound, took it down. Four for him as well!
Things were quiet again for a long time, and I thought we were home free when the window next to me shattered. The port rudder stopped responding, and Alcyone shuddered from hits in the wing. We got away eventually, but the starboard gear wouldn't come down when it was time to land. The wheels-up landing, not to mention the entire mission, could have gone a lot worse.
Pilot Officer Kenneth Cahill
Pilot, Alcyone
October 27, 1943
159 Peckham Damage Points (79 in the air, 80 more upon landing)