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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2018 7:47:38 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 12, 2021 10:05:05 GMT 12
LIFE OR DEATH
FATEFUL DECISION MADE
NEW ZEALAND FLIERS
(United Press Assn —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Oct. 10. 1 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 9
Faced with a decision that possibly meant life or death eight members of the Royal Air Force, captained by Flying Officer M. McGreal, of Auckland, afloat in a dinghy after their Sunderland had crashed in the Atlantic 140 miles off the coast of West Africa, held a high-speed debate and made a choice that finally resulted in their rescue.
It was Flying-Officer McGreal’s thirteenth sortie in West Africa and the thirteenth of the month when they set off on an anti-submarine patrol. Two hours later two engines spluttered and died and they were forced down in a heavy swell. The Sunderland broke its back and filled with water in five seconds. Warrant-Officer S. Wrigley, of Taranaki, and Sergeant D. Jones, of Swansea, Wales, were washed through a hole in the side of the hull.
Pilot-Officer Budd, of Wellington, was trapped inside and half-drowned when part of the fuselage he was in broke in half and he ‘'bobbed up like a chicken in an eggshell,” in the words of another New Zealander in the crew.
Gave Life For Crew
The wireless operator, also of New Zealand, gave his life for the crew. He was sending out “S.O.S.” calls when the plane hit the sea and he was knocked out and drowned. Pilot-Officer Budd and Sergeant Jones were left standing on the tailplane. They were fifty yards from the dinghy when the tail sank. Pilot-Officer Budd was dazed and cut and Sergeant Jones could only just keep him up. The second pilot, of Auckland (unnamed) swam with Flying-Officer McGreal to hold Pilot-Officer Budd, who was found to have a broken wrist. They drifted all night in the dinghy, huddled together for warmth. When dawn broke a shark was circling a few inches from the dinghy. They hit it with the dinghy mast. Then someone threw an oxygen bottle and the shark sheered off.
Twice they saw planes, too far away to signal. Then, without food or water, they were under a pitiless sun. They had been adrift for over twenty hours when they sighted a plane circling eight miles away. They had managed to save a distress signal and smoke float from the wreck, but the air was hazy, and if they used them and they were not seen their last hope would be gone, but if they saved them in hope of a better chance another plane might never come.
Spirits of Men Fall
Flying-Officer McGreal said: “We had a pow-wow. I was sort of chairman. We decided to wait for a better chance. It was pathetic to see the spirits of the chaps fall as the plane faded out of sight. But two hours later we knew that we were right. Another plane appeared and when it was miles away we fired our signals and were seen.”
WAIKATO TIMES, 10 OCTOBER 1944
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seqkiwi
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Post by seqkiwi on Jan 8, 2023 19:05:00 GMT 12
My father Flt Ivan Davis flew Sunderlands with 490 sqd. Dad's log book shows he flew ML863, ML 844, ML 850, ML 869, EJ 169, EJ 139, and EJ 165. None of the photo's show the aircraft displaying a name, but perhaps they did have names for them? Dad passed away in 1980 sadly, but he did keep in touch with several of his sqd over the years, but I have no idea if any of these men are alive now. I know this post is a long time ago, but I do have a 1:72 Sunderland all painted up, and ready for markings. Thank you doubledee for the serials - I will certainly incorporate these. But can anyone map these serials to aircraft identification letters??? Many thanks in advance  |
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Post by Antonio on Jan 8, 2023 20:09:21 GMT 12
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seqkiwi
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Post by seqkiwi on Jan 10, 2023 10:25:05 GMT 12
Awesome Antonio ... thank you very much. I have the Oldmodels sheet, but none of this information. Wonder if they would consider adding it to their sheet! Kindest regards ... |
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Post by planewriting on Jan 11, 2023 16:22:48 GMT 12
Looking at those seven Sunderland serials, I see from my father's logbook (Flt Lt B.E.H. Layne RNZAF) he conducted flights as a test pilot in EJ165 and ML844. Prior to being a test pilot he was attached to 201 Squadron.
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Post by Antonio on Jan 11, 2023 17:20:19 GMT 12
Images from the AFMoNZ:  ML810-W  ML862-Q Manu Moana 2  ML862-Q Manu Moana 2 |
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