It left a massive hole in the mainplane, the metal skin bent up into the airstream. The pair managed to limp back, where Guye made a challenging, but successful landing.
Harold did not escape danger. On his first operation Harold was apprehensive. He had been allocated a Spitfire, usually flown by the Station Commander Harry Broadhurst.
Because of his status he used his initials - HB – on his aircraft. It did not escape Harold’s attention that these were his initials also. After a lengthy fight, he turned for home. Crossing the French coast, the needle kept banging on empty.