PLANE AND CREW RESCUED

Southland Times, Issue 24837, 1 September 1942, Page 4

PLANE AND CREW RESCUED

New Zealand Ship In South Pacific (P.A.) AUCKLAND, August 31. A message of congratulation to the officers and men of a New Zealand ship serving south of the Solomons from the commander of the South Pacific area, Vice-Admiral Robert L. Ghormley, U.S.N., was received after the rescue of a crew of an amphibian plane after it had been forced down at sea through lack of petrol. The New Zealand ship picked up the plane’s crew several hundred miles from land and succeeded in towing the plane back to port. Vice-Admiral Ghormley’s message paid tribute to the fact that the ship had effected her rescue in spite of the known presence of enemy submarines, also to the feat of towing the aircraft back to port. He expressed his commendation and congratulations to the commander of the ship, his officers and men for the successful accomplishment of a hazardous task, requiring skilful seamanship. The rescue took place under difficult conditions, rough weather making the towing operation hazardous in the extreme. However, the plane was brought safely back, was refuelled and was flying again the same day. Her crew had been down for two days and a-half and were actually in their rubber dinghies when picked up. ,