DIFFICULT RESCUE

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 20, 24 July 1945, Page 5

DIFFICULT RESCUE

CRASH IN GANGES DELTA

(R.NZ.A.F. Official News Service.)

CALCUTTA, July 19

Hacking their way through mangrove swamps, the crew of an R.A.F. air-sea rescue Catalina flying-boat worked for hours to rescue the crew of a Liberator bomber, which had crashed among the dreaded swamp islands known as the Sunderbupnds, forming the Ganges Delta With mud sucking the shoes from" their feet, the Catalina men struggled through monsoon flood waters to reach the bomber. Though the wreck was only 500 yards from the water's edge, the rescuers found their way through the dark, tenacious mangroves only by following whistles which answered their shouts. Among the rescued crew was Flight Sergeant T. W. Wallis, an air gunner, of Wellington. The captain and tail gunner were injured and unable to move, but the rest of the crew were only cut and bruised. The injured were carried to shore, a journey so difficult, because of waist-deep mud and mangroves, that the party had to rest every few yards. When clear of their jungle difficulties the men were still not safe. The .dinghy carrying them to the Catalina was caught in a violent ebb-tide current and swept past the flying-boat out to sea.. The Catalina hastily started up, taxied in pursuit, and finally picked the men up. She landed at her base with the party 25£ hours after taking off on the search.