The author of Another Kind of Courage takes a deep dive into the World
War II heroics of the pilots and aircrew of the single-engined
amphibian airplanes. This book covers the adventures of 283, 284, 293
and 294 Walrus Squadrons, operating from North Africa, Sicily, Italy
and Sardinia. The pilots, like their counterparts in England, knew of
the dangers of landing on the sea. It was a daunting task attempting
to rescue downed airmen as they had often to operate in bad weather,
and near hostile coasts. Airmen who were bobbing about in dinghies, or
even just in their Mae West life jackets, were difficult to locate.
Rescues from the cold sea needed to be speedy affairs, especially of
those survivors not in dinghies, and the Walrus aircrew were always
aware that time was of the essence. Moreover, rescues near a hostile
shore often resulted in gunfire from German or Italian gunners. Many
Walrus pilots have added personal recollections to the narrative and
so too have some of those airmen who were rescued. As well as RAF and
SAAF airmen, there were numerous USAAF units involved in the air war
over the Mediterranean and Italy, and Norman has been in contact with
several Americans whose lives were saved by these gallant men who flew
the Walrus amphibian single-engined biplane. Men who knew only too
well that to pick up more than two or three airmen generally meant a
hard sea-borne taxi ride back to base, which conditions never
guaranteed. The stories of these rescues give one a sense of sincere
pride in the men who daily risked their lives to save others from a
very hostile environment.
Les mer
Air Sea Rescue by Walrus Squadrons in the Adriatic, Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian Seas 1942–1945
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781909808775
Publisert
2014
Utgiver
Independent Publishers Group (Chicago Review Press)
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter