Battle of Britain

[Danmark]

Were there any methods used by both sides to rescue downed pilots that bailled out over the English Channel. I read some where that the Germans placed small crafts in the channel, on the surface they looked like a square raft with a hatch in the middle of it, inside the thing looked like a bunk section of a U-Boat.
Does anyone have anything?

[walker1914]

The germans used seaplanes painted with red cross colours to pick up their downed pilots, after the British found out about this, the orders were sent out to shot them down, which caused some controversy at the time

The British rescue arrangements were found to be very inadequate during the battle, they wern't expecting to be fighting in the summer of 1940 over the channel, sometimes it was more luck than judgement that piots were picked up, it was only after the battle that things picked up, and there was more resource's allocated to rescuing downed pilots

[BeppoSapone]

Originally posted by walker1914@May 21 2004, 08:33 AM
The germans used seaplanes painted with red cross colours to pick up their downed pilots, after the British found out about this, the orders were sent out to shot them down, which caused some controversy at the time

The British rescue arrangements were found to be very inadequate during the battle, they wern't expecting to be fighting in the summer of 1940 over the channel, sometimes it was more luck than judgement that piots were picked up, it was only after the battle that things picked up, and there was more resource's allocated to rescuing downed pilots

The RAF used small boats to pick up fliers downed at sea. These "RAF Air Sea Rescue" launches were fighting craft, and were prepared to "mix it" with the Germans in order to to rescue aircrew.

I have a picture of a relative, who served on one of these boats, manning some sort of machine gun. I am not sure when this rescue service was established, but my relative was in it from c1942.

[BeppoSapone]

Originally posted by BeppoSapone@May 22 2004, 12:38 AM


I have a picture of a relative, who served on one of these boats, manning some sort of machine gun. I am not sure when this rescue service was established, but my relative was in it from c1942.

My last post got me thinking, so I did a "Google" search and came up with this history of RAF Air Sea Rescue:

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/sar601.html

[Sgt Pilot Bernard Henson RAFVR]

Originally posted by walker1914@May 21 2004, 01:33 PM
The germans used seaplanes painted with red cross colours to pick up their downed pilots, after the British found out about this, the orders were sent out to shot them down, which caused some controversy at the time

There is an Excellent Photo of one of these German Rescue Craft forced down by the RAF during the BoB & subsequently captured;in I believe one of Chaz Bowyers splendid BoB Books

[Ali Hollington]

I believe the RAF had a "club" for pilots shot down over the channel and saved, IIRC it was the Water Rats or similiar.
Ali

[BeppoSapone]

Originally posted by Ali Hollington@May 25 2004, 04:19 AM
I believe the RAF had a "club" for pilots shot down over the channel and saved, IIRC it was the Water Rats or similiar.
Ali

The "Goldfish Club" I think. And wasn't there also a "Caterpiller Club" for those whse lives had been saved by parachute?

[Brownag]

Originally posted by Danmark@May 21 2004, 12:51 AM
I read some where that the Germans placed small crafts in the channel, on the surface they looked like a square raft with a hatch in the middle of it, inside the thing looked like a bunk section of a U-Boat.

I saw an illustration of this craft a few years ago. I can't remember where. I wasn't sure if they were actually used or not since I haven't seen any photos. It was like a big oil drum with a conning tower. Inside was bunks and blankets and food. etc.
I'll try and remember where I saw it.

Cheers

Adam

[Sgt Pilot Bernard Henson RAFVR]

Originally posted by BeppoSapone+May 25 2004, 09:55 AM-->

The "Goldfish Club" I think. And wasn't there also a "Caterpiller Club" for those whose lives had been saved by parachute? [/b]

The Caterpillar Club was indeed for those who used "Silk"! the badge was a Gold Caterpillar worn above Medal Ribbons
The Goldfish Club was for those who had come "Down in the Drink" a small woven{Unofficial} Badge was worn,a Goldfish with I think Bars below to denote the number of times you'd got wet!

[Sgt Pilot Bernard Henson RAFVR]

Originally posted by Ali Hollington@May 25 2004, 09:19 AM
I believe the RAF had a "club" for pilots shot down over the channel and saved, IIRC it was the Water Rats or similiar.
Ali

The Grand Order of Water Rats is a Show Biz Charity for supporting Artists who are on Hard Times,see above for name of RAF "Club"