AIR-SEA RESCUES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 271, 15 November 1943, Page 2

AIR-SEA RESCUES

AMERICAN TRIBUTE OVER 100 U.S.J'GOLDFISH" More than 100 American airmen, whose planes have been forced down n the English Channel or in Mediterranean waters, have been rescued by tne men of Britain's Air-sea Rescue service the British Information l C e[-v!ce'reported recently. Of thes£ 40 United States A.A.F. airciew members — four complete Flying Fortress teams-were picked up in the Mediterranean, recently- when thev cracked up during a shuttle run to North African bases after raiding the Reich. According to officers of the rescue service who once thought it impossible for anyone to survive a sea landing by aWessktheAmenoans have learned their ditching dnUto perfection. "Ditching drill is the R A F.'s descriptive term for the pro cess of transferring from plane to dinshv after a crash landing. Rescued Americans - who prove "stoical and good under injuries according to one observer — aie entitled to become members pi tne R A F. Goldfish Club, an organisation, open to those who have been hauled out of a dinghy after crashing. Members carry an elaborate card engraved with designs of vall °"f rescue devices, and may wear the embroidered badge of the goldfish— but under the lapel of the coat, to give the goldfish, for the first time in his life, some privacy. The appreciation by men of tne United States Eighth Air Force for the work of Britain's Air-sea Rescue Service was voiced by BrigadierGeneral F. L. Anderson of the United States Army. Writing to the commanding officer of an air-sea rescue unit, which has so far saved 5y Americans, General Anderson said: — "I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my deep appreciation, as well as the appreciation of the officers and men of my command, of the marvellous service being rendered by your air-sea rescue organisation. On the St. Nazaire raid on June 28 by our heavy bombers the crews of three out of six bombers lost were rescued. I understand that these rescues were in a large measure due to the splendid efforts and co-operation of this organisation. I would appreciate it if you would extend my thanks and good wishes to the officers and men whose contributions have built up so fine an organisation."—Auckland Star and N.A.N.A.