Hennington spotted and drove off a twin-engined night-fighter coming up behind us over the North Sea. Then next one got past him though, and put some shells into the bomb bay and starboard wing before we shook him off. I asked Guthrie to check it out &mdash he said the door hinges were smashed. There was no hope of opening them, either hydraulically or manually. I turned us for home.
We were picked up by one more night-fighter on the way back. This one hit the #2 engine before we knew he was there, causing it to run away. Hedstrom was able to shut it down and feather the prop. Jemison claims to have damaged our attacker before it left us.
I wasn't looking forward to landing with a full bomb load, but it obviously went well enough.
Warrant Officer Gregory Hamilton
Pilot, Thelxinoe
February 24, 1944
73 Peckham Damage Points