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 03 FEBRUARY 1945 - First
Lieutenant Robert
Rohlfing, pilot of
"Playmate Four Two", departed Morotai at 0825
for Wassile Bay. He sighted a survivor at 0855, landed and effected the rescue of Wing
Commander Geoffrey Atherton, RAAF,
(photo 1)
(photo
2) P-40 pilot at 0900. At 0905, shore guns dropped mortar shells
near the rescue ship without effect. Lieutenant Rohlfing took off at 0910 and arrived at
Morotai at 1030.
Wing Commander Atherton stated that
while on a strafing mission along the coast of Wassile Bay, his ship was so severely
damaged by small arms fire that he was forced to ditch his plane just off the target. He
was unhurt and in excellent condition.
This rescue was credited with being the fastest water
rescue by an aircraft at the time. [photo
1] [photo 2]
RESCUED
P-40 PILOT:
Wing Commander Geoffrey Atherton, RAAF
AIRCRAFT
TYPE:
OA-10A*
USAAF SERNO:
44-33879
(CV-330)**
CALLSIGN:
"Playmate Four
Two"
CREW:
(Pilot)
1Lt Bob Rohlfing, (Co-pilot) 1Lt Denzil L. Kathman
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*
Aircraft produced at Canadian Vickers Ldt, Cartierville, Quebec, Canada
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