War heroes survived 11 days at sea using pants to catch fish
A FORGOTTEN diary reveals how six British airmen shot down during the Second World War survived 11 days at sea in a tiny dinghy – using underpants to fish and shirts as a sail.
Six hero airmen survived 11 days at sea in a dinghy by using their underpants for a fishing net
The log of how the men endured the ordeal in September 1943 was kept by Flight Officer Eric Hartley.
Their epic story began when they attacked and sank a notorious German U-boat that had destroyed 11 Allied ships.
During an exchange of fire with the submarine at just 50 yards, the Halifax bomber was hit, forcing FO Hartley to ditch the blazing aircraft in the Atlantic 400 miles south-west of Ireland.
Two of the crew were killed but the surviving six men took to the inflatable life raft. During the 11-day ordeal they were capsized by huge waves and kept awake by the freezing cold.
All crew wet and seasick, possibly through swallowing sea water
The had to use their boots to bale out the dinghy, sucked rain-soaked handkerchiefs for water and attempted in vain to supplement their meagre rations of a few chunks of chocolate by catching fish.
The diary entries record: “All crew wet and seasick, possibly through swallowing sea water.
“Two whales blowing at surface 50 yards away... 30 to 40 porpoises passed quite close. Constructed fishing net from bellows handle and underpants, still without any result.”
Flying Officer Eric Hartley kept the log of the daily struggle for survival
After a week without rescue, the men sewed two of their shirts together using copper wire to use as a sail and blow them east towards convoy routes.
Eventually they were spotted by a Plymouth-bound Royal Navy destroyer and saved.
A photo of the moment the weary crew were rescued from the open rubber boat has emerged along with the diary.
Their epic story began when they attacked and sank a notorious German U-boat
The family of the hero pilot has now raised more than £3,000 by selling the Distinguished Flying Cross he was awarded for destroying the U-boat, along with the diary and the photo of the rescue.
Telegrams and letters sent to the pilot’s parents were also included.
The family of the pilot has now raised more than £3,000 by selling the Distinguished Flying Cross
The first messages told them their son was missing and the chances of rescue were slim.
Then to their relief came one reading: “Delighted to inform you your son E L Hartley is safe.”
Simon Nuttall, of Cheshire auctioneers Wright Marshall, said: “It is the most remarkable collection.”