Date
Location
Force
Aircraft
From-To
Crew
05-03-1943
Oporto
RAF 95 Sqn
Short Sunderland MkIII W6065
Pembroke (GB) → Gibraltar
Air Marechal Sir Harold Edward Whittingham GB
F/Lt Daniel Michael M'Carthy GB
Sgt Stanley Edward Hoare GB
Sgt Douglas George Truman GB
F/ Sgt Sydney Arthur Shaw GB
F/ Sgt Harry David Meagher Canada
F/O James Sinclair GB
Sgt Reginald Arnott GB
F/ Sgt Richard Albert Knott GB
F/ Sgt Roy Laurence Cheeseman GB
F/O Simon Rowan GB
F/Lt Gordon Young GB
They took off from Pembroke around 23.00 hours of the 4th March, 1943.
Because of engine trouble they had ditch in the sea near Oporto around 5.10 in the morning and they were able to keep the plane floating until 7.10 hours in the morning when they were rescued by three rowing boats that transfer them to two bigger fishing vessels.
From there they boarded the pilot ship that took them to port of Leixões, and an hotel from where they called the Embassy. On the evening they were sent to a concentration camp of political prisoners and finnaly on the next day they were escorted to Lisbon by the British air attaché.
They left Portugal on a Clipper flight from BOAC, on the 8th March.
M’Carthy was a passenger and belonged to the 153 Squadron.
On board also as passenger was Marechal of the Air Whittingham, director of the health services from the RAF.
Two French men, not identified, where also on board refered as passengers.
Resources:
* “Aviões da Cruz de Cristo” – Mário Cannongia Lopes
* Evade & Escape Report - National Archives - London Kew
