AIRMAN’S AGONY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20137, 5 January 1940, Page 9

AIRMAN’S AGONY

FROST-BITTEN LIMBS FLIGHT OVER GERMANY FINGERS MAY BE LOST PLANE’S SAFE RETURN (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 9 a.m. RUGBY, Jan. 3. Details have now been disclosed of' the gallant action of the wireless operator and air gunner of a Royal Air Force bomber engaged on a reconnaissance flight over Germany, who carried out his duties although suffering from frost-bite. He is now in hospital. The weather conditions had forced the aircraft to fly over three miles high. The temperature was so low that the mercury in the thermometer dropped below the minimum reading of 30 degrees below zero. The hands and the feet of the wireless operator became severely frost-bitten, but despite the acute pain he continued to man his gun and to transmit reconnaissance reports by wireless. The aircraft remained above the reconnaissance area for nearly half an hour, and for fully 10 minutes was subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire. The paralysis of his frost-bitten hands made the transmission of signals impossible, but after several attempts he obtained a series of wireless bearings which brought the aircraft safely back to its basfe after a flight of five hours’ duration. On landing the airman reported tire position of two warships, one submarine and one destroyer which he had sighted. He was then rushed to the hospital, where it was feared he would lose the terminal finger joints of his right hand and possibly one finger of his left hand.