RAF air-sea rescue
 

Does anyone know of any good literature on the topic of RAF air-sea rescue in the early war years, or have any sort of organisational charts/OrBats (?) showing units - including motor launches - and where they were stationed and areas covered?

TIA

Adam

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

My responsibility for 3 years in MoD was Operations (Escape Systems & Rescue). But that doesn't mean that I know it all!!

How about this for a start? Can you make it legible?

What else do you need?
= Tim

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...4/RAF2/sar.jpg

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Much appreciated, Timothy

Check your PM

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Hi Adam
See if you can find a book by Norman Franks, "Another Kind of Courage" published by Patrick Stephens Ltd in 1994, ISBN 1 82560 441 7. Although not a big book it covers the subject from 1941.Franks wrote a 2nd book , published by Grub Street that covers SAR in the Med and Adriatic later in the war, it is called "Beyond Courage"
Regards
Dick

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Hi Dick

I've not heard of these - although I've got the Souther;and/Canwell book on order though the local library. Are they an academic account or merely anecdotal?

Thanks

Adam

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Hi Adam
Essentially the books are anecdotal but subject to any errors in writing or editing they seem to be factual, but probably wouldn't qualify as "academic"
Regards
Dick

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

This was one that I mentioned to Adam. On Amazon.

= Tim

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Adam -
Book: Flying Cats by Andrew Hendrie
History , Photos RAF Catalinas in All Theaters
Appendix Lists A/C Serial # , Unit , Disposition
of all RAF Catalinas.
Mike

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

There was a book called "Boat In The Blue" covering the exploits of an ASR boat and crew. I forget the author and publisher (c.1983/4 ?) but a search on Abe Books should locate it.

Tim - another interesting facet of your RAF career! Presumably this was postwar?

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Was not "The Sea shall not have Them" about ASR missions?
I read it a long time ago and don't have it any more in my bookcase.

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

There's also 'Shot Down and in the Drink' by Graham Pitchfork which gives general information on organisation and equipment and details of 40 rescues from (I think) reports in the PRO. The Sutherland/Canwell book seems to concentrate on the launches and has little coverage of aircraft involvemnt.
Ross

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Also "Boat in the Blue, The wartime story of an RAF Air Sea Rescue crew and their boats" WD Pereira 1985 ISBN 0 907036, h/b, not released in p/b as far as I know.

An excellent read with lots of anecdotal material, including descriptions of training and insight into the situation faced by the crew of an RAF boat rubbing shoulders with the Royal Navy.

Bruce

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Snap! Pitchfork's book - just mentioned that to Adam. He's a neighbour.

This is part of the contents of the AHB book:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/photo04/sar4.jpg

Andy - yes. '62-'65. Got me around the world as UK rep (world wide) at ICAO meetings.
And just for a bit of colour, here we are, in Beirut, to prove it!! One about to give, one taking.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ar6600x167.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ar7600x372.jpg


= Tim


PS Don't forget the Mountain Rescue Teams.

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Yes it was. Fictional, but obviously based on personal experience. A good read. There was also an RAF AP - don't have a note of the number but it was one of a historical series, including Works - written in the 1950s about ASR during the war. I borrowed a copy many years ago and it had maps showing very approximately where aircraft had crashed or ditched in coastal waters during each year of the war.

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

I should have read Timothy's contribution more carefullyand opened the Photobucket link! That must be the ASR book I recall.

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Hi

What was the title on the AHB book.

Kind regards
Nicolaj

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

So agree about Jon Sutherland's book - not what Adam wanted, I'm sure.

Anyone want a new copy for a small fee??

= Tim

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Thanks for the interest, guys, but as Tim says - Sutherland's book isn't really what I'm after.

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Hi Tim

Thank you for the title:-)

Kind regards
Nicolaj

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

Am I right in thinking that unlike the Germans, the RAF was not well prepared for Air Sea Rescue in the early war years and that ASR in the RAF only got organised in 1941.

I seem to remember reading an account of a nightfighter pilot (named Howard-Williams?) who said that they only got whistles attached to their life jackets after he suggested it - as he had been nearly left to drown by a rescue boat that could not hear his calls for help! I wonder if thats his story and he's sticking to it or if its true!

Re: RAF air-sea rescue
 

We seem to have followed German practice for quite a while?