Shot down and in the drink : RAF and Commonwealth aircrews saved from the sea, 1940-1945
Pitchfork, Graham2005
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This is the first full history of RAF Air Sea Rescue during the Second World War. Using extensive research into official records held at The National Archives, Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork describes the formation and development of Air Sea Rescue as it evolved to adapt to wartime events. He examines how aircrews were trained to act in crash scenarios, the survival equipment they used, and the different methods of possible rescue - by RAF or Royal Navy launches, by airborne lifeboats, or by aircraft such as the Lysander or specialist amphibious and flying boats. The second half of the book focuses on the three main operational areas, particularly north-west Europe, but the Mediterranean area and the Far East are also covered. First-hand accounts of rescue and survival are included throughout these chapters. Many of these accounts are published for the first time - the result of new archival research or interviews with surviving members of the aptly named Goldfish Club. Useful maps, diagrams and many previously unpublished official and private photographs are reproduced throughout.
Main title:
Shot down and in the drink : RAF and Commonwealth aircrews saved from the sea, 1940-1945 / Graham Pitchfork ; foreword by John Cruikshank.
Author:
Imprint:
Kew : National Archives, 2005.
Collation:
xii, 276 pages : illustrations, maps, portraits ; 24 cm.
Notes:
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents:
Part One The Air Sea Rescue Organization: Background - Early wartime organization - Aircrew training - Survival equipment - Location aids -- Part Two Northwest Europe: Rescue craft - The first three years - Battle of the Atlantic - The bomber offensive - Return to Europe -- Part Three Mediterranean and West Africa: The early years - Invasion of Sicily and Italy - The Italian and Balkans campaign - West Africa -- Part Four India and the Far East: Air Sea Rescue organization - Rescues
ISBN:
9781903365878 (hardback)
Local class:
940.544
Language:
English
Subject:
BRN:
74759
More Information:
| Location | Collection | Call number | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penrith | Nonfiction | 940.544 SHO | Available |