Enemy attacks began over the Netherlands. A FW-190 got past our escorts and made a head-on pass, damaging our port rudder.
Our escorts did a better job over Germany, and flak was ineffectual, but Vallente still wasn't able to keep us on target.
Returning over the Netherlands, a huge wave of enemy fighters overwhelmed our escorts. Four FW-190's attacked us, knocking out our #1 engine. But we gave better than we got, with Xenakis taking on one diving from directly above and setting it on fire, and one diving from astern being sent spinning by Rhodes, shedding control surfaces. So the trip wasn't completely wasted.
F/Lt Thomas Raines
Pilot, Stardust
December 22, 1944
35 Peckham Damage Points