RESCUED FROM SEA
SURVIVORS OF WRECKED LIBERATOR
SYDNEY, Nov. 1
Four members of the crew of the Liberator bomber lost in the raid on Pomelaa (Celebes) last Tuesday were found on life rafts hundreds of miles out to sea. They had survived a collision with tree tops, an .hour's running fight with a Zero pack, a crash landing on the water, and two days’ ordeal adrift in rough seas. They are now in an Australian mainland hospital, and are expected to recover. The survivors reported that their Liberator hit the tree tops on a small Celebes island in a low-level bombing attack. One engine was put out of action, and another damaged, then they were attacked by 12 Zeros in a 300mile running fight. They shot' down 10. As the plane was steadily losing altitude they threw their guns and equipment into the sea to reduce the load. Then they were pounced on by two Japanese twin-engined fighters. All but four of the crew were killed. The pilot and co-pilot were seriously wounded, but managed to crash-land their plane on the water. The survivors drifted for two days before being found by a searching Liberator formation.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19431102.2.41
Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 25372, 2 November 1943, Page 3
Word Count
196RESCUED FROM SEA Otago Daily Times, Issue 25372, 2 November 1943, Page 3
Using This Item
Allied Press Ltd is the copyright owner for the Otago Daily Times. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons New Zealand BY-NC-SA licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Allied Press Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Log in