SEA RESCUE
AFTER CRASH OF BOMBER NEW ZEALAND AIRMAN'S ADVENTURE. ONE COMRADE DROWNED. •By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. January 29. .Sergeant -lack Marshall, .Napier, a meniber of the Royal New Zealand Air F’orre. who in .November was reporied missing and later
"safe." having been picked up in the sea on November -h told lhe Associated Press the remarkable adventures he underwent during the period he was missing.
He was rear-gunner of a bomber on his twenty-fifth attack on Berlin. It was successful despite heavy "flak." which also was severe over Hamburg.
Three miles from the coast the starboard engine spluttered and caught fire. The observer put it out with an extinguisher. but the engine was useless. Soon the oil feed of the post engine failed. Some of the crew, including Sergeant Marshall, operated a hand pump. Then oil and petrol both ran out.
Meanwhile, other members of the crew had jettisoned the ammunition, guns, oxygen, food boxes, and all flying kit except parachutes and harness. The plane hit the sea with a terrific crash, and the crew scrambled out of the hatch. Sergeant Marshall last. The others had inflated the dinghy, which, was washed away several yards from the aircraft. Sergeant Marshall dived into the sea and reached the dinghy. The second pilot was unable to reach it and disappeared under the waves. A heavy sea smashed the dinghy against the plane, ripping the side, but the double skin prevented its bursting. All night long they heard bombers returning from raids, and fruitlessly fired Verey cartridges. All paddled desperately till 11.50 a.m.. when utter exhaustion forced a cessation.
"Then we heard a most welcome sound, a Wellington’s drone." Sergeant Marshall said. "We fired a Vercy pistol, but the plane continued on its course and disappeared. We decided again to attempt to paddle, and were about to begin when we heard another engine. We fired two lights. They saw us, descended and circled, It was almost impossible to explain my feelings and relief. Gratitude, joy—every feeling—ran riot inside me. "The plane circled for three hours, and then another appeared. The first flew off, waving farewell. It was nowj 3.20 p.m. A fresh wind sprang up.{ Then a third plane paid a social call, but did not remain long. The sun disappeared about 4.30. Hours later two more planes joined the party over us, and shortly afterward we saw the masts of about a dozen mine-sweepers. We used the last of our Vercy lights and also two marine flares to guide the trawlers to us.
"Meanwhile the planes were still circling. Soon the dinghy was bouncing against rope ladders. I tried to climb up, but my* legs were too weak. I just remember being hauled aboard."
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 January 1941, Page 5
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453SEA RESCUE Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 January 1941, Page 5
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