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5th ERS North Sea rescue mission 20 March 1945

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Leendert
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5th ERS North Sea rescue mission 20 March 1945

On 20 March 1945 an OA-10 (Catalina) of 5th ERS reportedly was sent to pick up an RAF Walrus crew that had run into trouble when trying to rescue a ditched Spitfire pilot off the Dutch coast (The Hague).
The Walrus had to be sunk by Allied fighters (P-47s of 5th ERS?), but the OA-10 was also unable to take off due to damages and a heavy sea. After a long stay in the water, the a/c was towed back to England by motor launches. 
5th ERS station was RAF Halesworth  at that time.
 
Info about the crew and serial of OA-10 involved is welcome, thanks.
 
Regards,
 
Leendert
 
 
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    shooshoobaby
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    Re:5th ERS North Sea rescue mission 20 March 1945 (permalink)
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    Leendert -
    Book Flying Cats has following story as 3/21/45.
    5th ERS Pilot 2LT. Donald Combs , Flying Catalina
    " Team Work 72 " was ordered to rescue a downed
    Walrus Crew. He found them and picked up the 3
    Crewmen. Trying to take off , the Cat was damaged
    and couldn't get Airborne. They were drifting toward
    Enemy Coast so Combs started Taxiing. After 2 Hours
    He stopped and dropped Anchor. The Walrus Crew was
    transferred to another Craft. Combs managed to take
    off and returned to Base.
    This may / may not be the one you want , just thought I'd
    Post it in case it is.
    Mike
     
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    Leendert
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    Re:5th ERS North Sea rescue mission 20 March 1945 (permalink)
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    Mike,
    This must be the case I'm after. I reread the story and the Cat could indeed take off again once towed to calmer seas. Because the a/c was in the water quite long, the date turned from 20 March when the Walrus crew was rescued to 21 March when the OA-10 could get airborne again.
     
    Regards,
     
    Leendert
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    shooshoobaby
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    Re:5th ERS North Sea rescue mission 20 March 1945 (permalink)
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    OK Leendert ,
    Glad I could Help!
    Cheers,
    Mike
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