THRILLING ESCAPE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24739, 16 October 1941, Page 7

THRILLING ESCAPE

TWO DUTCH AIRMEN STOLEN NAZI AEROPLANE RUGBY, Oct. 14. The safe landing in Britain by Dutch airmen in a stolen Nazi aeroplane is told by the Netherlands Government Information Bureau. A twin-engined aircraft with German markings dived out of the clouds above Suffolk fields recently and circled, wheels down. Behind it three Hurricanes roared, engines full out. There was a hidden machine-gun post in a corner of the field, and a rattle of quick-firing met the stranger, but it made a safe landing, though with bullet holes in many places: Two men clambered out hastily. They were dressed in greyblue overalls, with helmets, and carried parachute packs. English soldiers were running at them from all .sides with Tommy guns and rifles ready. "Don't shoot, don't shoot," cried both men in English, " we are Dutch." Soon afterwards their Dutch identity was established.

Three hours before their arrival they had left Holland and flown the German aircraft from a Dutch aerodrome under the eyes of the German guards. The men are now serving, one as a pilot officer in the R.A.F. and the other with the Netherlands Government. There was a surprising sequence to this thrilling escape. Within 12 hours of the landing of these men, a Fokker float plane arrived in Britain, piloted by a Dutchman who had never before flown a flying boat, but counting on luck and favourable wind, had managed to bring the stolen German plane across to Britain.