BACK TO BASE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 39, 15 February 1941, Page 8

BACK TO BASE

CREW OF BOMBER

ADVENTURES IN GREECE

The story-of, how the crew.of an R.A.iT. ' bomber repoßte'd " "missing, feared killed," made their, way back to their base in Greece after an amazing journey was told recently in the Air Ministry' News Service.

The squadron raided one of the Albanian ports,' arid'because of cloud its bombs had . to., be released at a very low altitude. A big ship was hit and damage, to docks caused. Two of the aircraft were hit.by anti-aircraft shells. One, badly damaged, had great difficulty in making its. way back to base. The pilot.reported that his 'companion had. also been hit, one engine being seen to stop, and that it was likely the aircraft had crashed into the sea.

Nothing more was heard for two days and the crew and aircraft were officially, posted as missing. Then three weary ; men, a pilot, observer, and air gunner,; arrived at, the officers' mess of their station in Greece.

"Just as we had .released our bombs we received direct. hits from antiaircraft shells," the squadron leader said in telling their adventures. "One tore a large hope in the port engine cowling, but it continued to function in spite of the fact that oil was pouring out. The other engine was hit and stopped almost immediately.

"The aircraft was holed in many places and there was one enormous rent right through one wing, but the aircraft would • still fly, though the force of the. explosion had thrown it on its back. . . .-

"Not one of us was injured, though, the notebook in our air gunner's pocket: was torn in half by a piece of shrap-: nel. We flew on slowly, unable to; make height on our one engine. The cockpit was full of petrol fumes and I feared we should pass out. We were a sitting bird, all right, but no one came after us. "BELLY LANDING." "We flew for nearly two hours and then spotted a tiny island. We found only one place to attempt a landing—a strip of beach^ about 20 yards wide. I gave the chance of jumping to the crew, but they prefel-red to stand by me. Well, we put the aircraft down safely, although the wheels would not come down and we made a belly landing. "There were more difficulties with which to contend. The observer went forward to some peasants, who immediately rushed away screaming. We put our hands up and yelled: 'Inglese; Inglese.' A look of wonderment spread over one man's face, and he replied, with a definite American accent: 'Are youse guys English?' , "Locals came to the number of about a thousand arid looked extremely dangerous, only being kept back by dur Americanised friend. ' ■ "At last; we. persuaded the villagers of this, tiny island that we were friend-, ly, arid they found.us their only car.■ It did not last long. It was destroyed soon after by a bomb, one of many that fell that day on this entirely defenceless island. We were ;bombed eight times in a single day, the only casualties being civilians. ■ "Later we persuaded the owner of a fishing boat to take us to the mainland. We set off at night, going to sleep on the deck, but cold and hungry. Rough waves continually swept the deck. After 20 hours at sea the weather was so rough that the skipper was forced to put into a port near by, fortunately on the mainland. A GRAND RECEPTION. "Here we had a grand reception.. All of us were carried shoulder high round the village, being kissed by men, women, and children alike. Bouquetsshowered on us; we were given bottles of local wine, and finally led by the Mayor and Corporation to the Town Hall. "I had to make a speech, but as it - was in English I do not imagine much of it got over. The most popular part was when I said 'Mussolini' in grim tones and made a sign. That fairly brought the house down. A car was found for us, and.amid wild cheers and enthusiasm and loaded with gifts we set off across the mountain trail. After a long journey we came to another town, where we were again treated like conquering heroes..

"Eventually, after, walking, travelling by car and by train, we got back here. My crew and I are agreed we would not have missed this grand tour of Greece for anything. It has made us feel that war in this part,of the world is really worth while, and we are instilled with renewed enthusiasm."