N.O.S. Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 Notwithstanding the deadly seriousness of war there was, on occasion, room for some much-needed relief. My father was a pilot with Air Sea Rescue, and towards the end of the war was stationed in northwest Norfolk covering the North Sea for downed American bombers. He dreaded a search for a Liberator as they tended to break up on impact with the sea, and there were rarely any survivors. B17s fared better - the plane (Lockheed Hudson) would drop a large dinghy and guide rescue boats to the crew. Eventually they were issued radio sets with dual frequency, allowing them to hear stricken bomber crew communications directly, and thus saving valuable time. This is one of the very first transmissions they overheard (from a rookie B17 crew returning over the sea towards Cromer) - "Plane 738 to tower, we got a motor out, we got a motor out, what are we gonna do?" "Tower to 738, what's your angels?" (thousands of feet altitude) "55, 55" (pilot mis-read altimeter, should have said '5 point 5') "Tower to 738, standby please" (a minute passes) "Tower to 738, ah, we recommend you cut your other 3 motors and glide home" No further transmission!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 Nice story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryH57 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 From my History of the 405th FG USAAF - 22nd June 1944 After bailing out of his P-47D and coming down in the sea off Point de Barfleur, Lt. Doyle struggled into his dingy to await his rescue. Shortly afterwards he was circled by two Spitfires which dropped smoke flares to guide a British ASR launch to him; one of several that were posted off the coast of Normandy. Once on board the ASR launch, Lt. Doyle was given a tot of rum and went below to sleep but after an hour or so he was woken by a terrific noise. Going on deck, Lt. Doyle found that the Captain was still waiting off Cherbourg in case of other ‘ditched’ pilots and the launch was being shelled by German guns! After one shot landed about 30ft away the Captain shouted “Good shot old Boy” Lt Doyle decided that good British sportsmanship had gone a bit too far! But there was nothing he could do except to grin and bear it until the Captain finally decided to return to port! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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