DUTCH AIRMEN

Grey River Argus, 26 February 1943, Page 6

DUTCH AIRMEN

RESCUED IN TIMOR SEA. " SYDNEY, Feb. 24. Four members of the crew of a Dutch-manned Mitchell medium bomber which was lost during a raid on Dilli (Portuguese Timor) last Friday have been rescued after spending more than 12 hours in rubber dinghies in the Timor Sea. They are now in hospital, recovering from shock and injuries. Two members oi the crew were killed. When two flights of Mitchells were attacking an armed merchant vessel in Dilli Harbour each flight was attacked by a single Zero. Both Japanese fighters’were shot down. Then, as the bombers were leaving the target a flight of Zeros concentrated on ’ one Mitchell, putting the port engine out of action and killing the pilot. The damaged bomber w.as forced to fall back from its companions and a running fight ensued across many miles of the Timor Sea. When the other bombers returned tn assist their crippled companion the Japanese fighters fled. The plane, however, eventually crashed, killing the nose gunner. The co-pilot, Ensign C. M. Fisscher, smashed the top blister open with his hands and feet, and the four remaining members' of the crew got into a rubber dinghy. Two were badly in-, jured. The dinghy’s position was noted by the other bombers and help was despatched. Food from a reconnaissance plane fell out of reach of the weary men, who had not the strength to retrieve it. A second rubber dinghy was also dropped and two men were transferred to it. The party was rescued the follow ng morning. The airmen are amazed at the tremendous strength displayed by Fisscher in breaking open the top blister, which was constructed of unshatterable plastic glass, braced with metal strips.