AIRMEN IN SEA

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 59, 7 February 1941, Page 5

AIRMEN IN SEA

Ordeal After Bombing Raid _ Y NAPIER MAN TELLS OF RESCUE Sergeant Jack Marshall, Napier, a members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, who in November was reported missing and. later “safe,” having been picked up in the sea on November 23,. told the Associated Press the remarkable adventures he underwent during the period he was missing. lie was rear-gunner of a bomber on his twenty-fifth attack on Berlin. It was successful despite heavy “flak,” which also was severe over Hamburg. Three miles from the coast the starboard engine spluttered and caught fire. . The observer put it out with an extinguisher, but the engine was useless. Soon , the oil feed of the port engine failed. Some of the crew, including Sergeant Marshall, operated a hand pump. Then oil and petrol both ran out. Meanwhile, other members of the crew had jettisoned the ammunition, guns, oxygen, food boxes, and all flying kit except parachutes and harness. The plane hit the sea with a terrific crash and the crew scrambled out of the hatch, Sergeant Marshall last. The others had inflated the dinghy, which was washed away several yards from the aircraft. Sergeant Marshall dived into the sea and reached the dinghy. The second pilot was unable to reach it and disappeared under the waves. A heavy sea smashed the dinghy against the plane, ripping the side, but rhe double skin prevented its bursting. All night long they heard bombers returning from raids, and fruitlessly fired Very cartridges. All paddled desperately till 11.50 a.m., when utter exhaustion forced a cessation. ~ “Then we heard, a most welcome sound, a Wellington’s drone,” Sergeant Marshall said. “We tired a Very pistol, but the plane continued on its course and disappeared. We decided again to attempt to paddle, and were about to begin when we heard another engine. We fired two lights..' They saw us, descended, and circled. It was almost impossible to explain mv feelings and relief. Gratitude, joy-every feeling—ran riot inside me. “The plane circled for three hours, and then another appeared. The first flew off, waving farewell. It was now 3.20 p.m. A fresh wind sprang up. Then a third plane paid a social call, but did not remain long. The sun disappeared about 4.30. Hours later two more planes joined the party over us, and shortly afterward we saw the masts of about a dozen minesweepers. We used the last of our Very lights and also two marine flares to guide the trawlers to us. “Meanwhile the planes were still circling. Soon the dinghy, was bouncing against rope ladders. I tried to climb up, but my legs were too weak. I just remember being hauled aboard.”