"PIDGIN" RADIO

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 56, 22 May 1942, Page 5

"PIDGIN" RADIO

CALL TO BRITISH DESTROYERS SAVED FOUR AIRMEN PORTUGUESE SHIP Four words in "pigdin" English,, sent out by' the radio operator of a Portuguese ship who< knew less than, a dozen words of the English language, saved four British airmen: from internment in a neutral country, and perhaps from capture by enemy ships. "Comings here, peoples aboard" was the message intercepted by British destroyers, who boarded the ship in the expectation of finding German or Italian airmen. The rescued airmen were on antisubmarine patrol when their plane developed engine trouble and came down on the sea 300 miles from land. They launched their rubber dinghy but their hands were so cold that they could not get the clipper towork 011 the inflation tube connecting the dinghy with the sinking plane. "Treated Royally" Finally the second pilot took th(* door Oif the plane, to which the tube was attached, off its hinges, and stowed it into the dinghy justt before the plane sank. The Portuguese ship Congo, bound for West Africa, picked up the men, dressed the head wound which one! had received, and in their own words treated them "right royally." In return for this kindness the airmen insisted' on diodng a watch. When on the third day, British destroyers approached within 200 yards the airmen tried to attract their attention without success. I was then that the radio operator sent out his message. The Portuguese captain was greatly distressed at losing his guests, and gave them large boxes of cigarettes as parting presents. I 1 _=