The WW2 Atlantic Air War: Protecting the 1942 Supply Lines Against German U-Boats

Added: 2026-05-15

[00:00:02]The Atlantic Ocean in 1942 is a cold, unforgiving battleground. The lifelines of the free world depend entirely on thousands of merchant vessels braving these treacherous waters to shield them from the devastating wolf packs of enemy Ubot. The Royal Air Force relies on a machine of immense size and endurance.

[00:00:27]We look back at the relentless, ceaseless vigil of coastal command and operations spanning from the Baltic westward a thousand miles out into the mid-Atlantic. The men who fly these missions know that hours of mind-numbing boredom can vanish in a single terrifying heartbeat.

[00:00:46]We follow the crew of Sunderland T for Tommy. pulled directly from the comfort of a local gathering and thrust into the dark, freezing skies to provide an anti-ubmarine patrol over convoy AL37.

[00:00:59]The danger is constant and unseen. A massive formation of 42 merchant vessels creeps through a suspected submarine zone, relying on the eyes in the sky to deter the enemy.

[00:01:15]The crew must navigate the vast emptiness, counting ships through the long night and dodging elusive focul spotter planes darting through the cloud cover.

[00:01:27]This is a grueling test of human stamina where a single lapse in concentration spells doom for hundreds of sailors below.

[00:01:46]Prepare to immerse yourself in the authentic, grueling reality of the maritime patrol. A testament to the quiet heroes of the air.

[00:02:03]Coastal command of the Royal Air Force ranges from the Arctic Circle to the coast of West Africa and from the Baltic westward a thousand miles out into Mid-Atlantic.

[00:02:17]The constant strikes on enemy shipping and on the UOTS and their bases fire the imagination.

[00:02:24]But behind the drama of attack is the ceaseless patient humrum vigil of patrol over the whole of this vast area.

[00:02:43]In all weathers, winter and summer, this routine work of protecting our convoys and searching out the enemy goes on.

[00:02:51]Day and night, the aircraft and their crew was ready at stations all around our coasts. From the southern tip of Cornwall to such lonely northern outposts as Port Ferry Bay.

[00:03:23]We're riding on the wave and the world is all right up now. Now, from now on, this is no professional show. It's a sort of a party where everybody's sort of going to get in together and sit down and enjoy themselves. And tonight, look, we're we're especially glad there's so many sergeants here. Honestly, if there's one thing we love to see out there at Sergeants, it's the only time they sit down, shut up, and listen.

[00:03:57]Pay attention, please. Pay attention, please. Will the crew of Sunderland keep report to their aircraft immediately?

[00:04:08]The captain and navigator report to the operation room. I will repeat that. Will the crew of Sunderland TV report to their aircraft immediately? The captain and navigator report to the operation room. That is all. Gerald Bon, all the best. And now, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to transport you way over to Covenard. We're going to bring you a slice of Russian bar.

[00:05:03]Oh my god.

[00:05:37]Good evening, sir. Evening Campbell.

[00:05:39]>> I bring flight attendant Beians on.

[00:05:41]>> Yes, do.

[00:05:43]>> Come on.

[00:05:47]>> Hello, Bey boy.

[00:05:48]>> He still doesn't salute when he comes into the operation from Campbell. Does most other things, son.

[00:05:53]>> Good evening, Campbell. Here's the general situation. Group want me to send out anti-ubmarine patrol over convoy AL37, a homewoodbound convoy, which is approaching the suspected Ubot area.

[00:06:07]Gordon has all the details.

[00:06:09]>> Here's your form, Green.

[00:06:11]>> That's the present position of the convoy.

[00:06:13]>> It's 2000 hours, is it, Tom?

[00:06:15]>> That's right. And at 0800 hours tomorrow morning, she changes calls to 145.

[00:06:20]>> I see it.

[00:06:21]>> You'll see it on the map.

[00:06:22]>> Thank you very much, sir.

[00:06:23]>> Call for you, sir.

[00:06:31]>> There's a net forecast. What's the weather like, Sean? It looks fair enough, Johnny.

[00:06:35]>> Here's the rest of your day. Thank you, sir.

[00:06:38]>> Hello, sir.

[00:06:38]>> All right. Nice steady job tonight, Bruce.

[00:06:41]>> All night convoy escort.

[00:06:44]>> I'm afraid so.

[00:06:46]>> Convoy AL 37.

[00:06:49]>> There's the position 2000 hours.

[00:06:52]>> That's where we leave it at 0800 hours in the morning.

[00:06:55]>> Yes.

[00:06:56]>> Yes.

[00:06:56]>> Few birds suspected in the vicinity.

[00:06:58]That's why we're out there.

[00:07:00]>> Is it a large one?

[00:07:01]>> It's fairly large. 42 merchant vessels.

[00:07:04]What time do you be away now, Gamble?

[00:07:06]>> I'll be off the water by half date, sir.

[00:07:08]>> That's fine.

[00:07:09]>> You got all your gen all set, sir? Both crew on board.

[00:07:14]>> Yes, the RT is working change, too.

[00:07:16]>> Tommy calling Sand Piper. Are you receiving me? Are you receiving me? Over to you. Over.

[00:07:25]>> Hello, Tifa Tommy. Hello, Tifa Tommy.

[00:07:28]This is Sand Piper calling T for Tommy.

[00:07:30]Sand Piper calling T for Tommy.

[00:07:32]Receiving you clearly and distinctly strength nine.

[00:07:36]>> Clearly and distinctly strength nine.

[00:07:38]Have you anything for me? Have you anything for me?

[00:07:40]>> Over to you.

[00:07:41]>> Good luck.

[00:07:59]Heat. Heat.

[00:08:55]Hail smiling mourn.

[00:08:58]>> What sort of a day do?

[00:08:59]>> Oh, not too bad, I suppose. But it never does look good to me this time in the morning.

[00:09:06]>> No, not for me, you think? Well, I'm going to have a pipe.

[00:09:09]>> By the way, where's that cat? No, not your kind of a cat, medio fool. I mean Catalina, the one that's leaving T for Tommy. Oh, A for Apple. Oh, she's been up an hour now. She should be about halfway there.

[00:09:23]>> I think Campbell's convoy just about missed those boats by now.

[00:09:27]>> H must have had a pretty boring night.

[00:09:29]>> Yes, I bet they just about brown, huh?

[00:09:56]You count them.

[00:09:57]>> I've counted them the whole bloody night.

[00:10:14]Henry skippers. No sugar. Keep it off the chart. You >> quiet Henry.

[00:10:49]Hello, Ria Gana. You're being relieved for food now.

[00:10:52]>> I'll take over.

[00:10:54]>> Okay, sir.

[00:11:00]Heat up here.

[00:11:58]Hello. Is it aircraft on the star with beams now? Aircraft down beam.

[00:12:09]Got it.

[00:12:11]>> Hello, front gunner.

[00:12:13]>> Can you see him?

[00:12:14]>> Yes, sir. I can see him. Right, we're going for it.

[00:12:50]Hello everyone. It's gone in the cloud now.

[00:12:55]Yeah, >> Jimmy. Yeah, you'd better send a message to base about this fool. Okay. Okay. Is that right?

[00:13:11]Captain calling all positions. Captain calling all positions.

[00:13:16]Keep a good look out for our aircraft.

[00:13:21]It's a Catalina and will be late.

[00:13:33]Get me group please.

[00:13:35]>> Message here from Tifa Tommy. Enemy aircraft shadowing convoy.

[00:13:39]>> Oh, probably spotting for you boats.

[00:13:41]>> We better send it to A for April in case he hasn't picked it up.

[00:13:43]>> Right up.

[00:13:49]>> Hello everybody. Enemy sub suspected in this area. Keep a good look out. Heat.

[00:13:54]Heat.

[00:14:18]Heat. Heat.

[00:14:56]and starboard power station.

[00:15:26]Heat. Heat.

[00:15:32]Heat.

[00:15:46]Heat.

[00:16:12]Good work. Get a message off to base.

[00:16:14]Estimate one hit.

[00:16:47]Hey, um, how much petrol have we What's left?

[00:16:50]>> They're running very low.

[00:16:53]>> Only enough for about 2 and 1/2 hours.

[00:16:55]>> Not so good.

[00:16:56]>> Yeah.

[00:17:03]>> Hello, Skipper. We've only got two left for 2 and 1 half hours. I think we'd better set course for home.

[00:17:12]>> Okay, Jenny. Hang on for about 5 minutes more and then we'll go.

[00:17:22]Hey, Henry. Got some good gen here.

[00:17:32]>> Well, operators intercept this message, sir. Someone's had a busy time. Thank you, Jeremy.

[00:17:38]It's always the way, Sean.

[00:17:42]>> Hello. Captain falling all position.

[00:17:45]Captain falling ball position.

[00:17:49]I thought you'd like to know that our relief has done our hub.

[00:17:55]>> Lucky devils. Just our luck.

[00:17:57]>> What have we been doing all night?

[00:17:59]>> Don't you think we better hover boats, masters, sir?

[00:18:01]>> Anyone got any ideas?

[00:18:03]>> Charlie always gets the wrong idea.

[00:18:06]>> I've got an idea. All right. Just leave it to me.

[00:18:10]>> Okay. Your idea at the moment is to keep a lookout for Catalina.

[00:18:30]There's an aircraft over the starboard.

[00:18:32]I think it's our cat.

[00:18:35]>> Hello all compositions. There's our Catalina on the starboard side.

[00:18:42]That's her. All right. We've had this.

[00:18:44]We better get married now.

[00:19:04]Heat.

[00:19:18]Heat.

[00:19:26]Heat. Heat.

[00:19:49]Headquarters operations room. Controller. One moment please.

[00:20:06]>> Controller coastal speaking.

[00:20:10]All right. Thank you.

[00:20:15]>> Father.

[00:20:16]>> Yes sir.

[00:20:17]>> Air sweeps three and four have returned early. Have them take off the border to me.

[00:20:20]>> Right.

[00:20:23]>> Will you take down sortters three and four, please?

[00:20:34]7:00. I will doubt get my breakfast. I'm feeling that way too. We've had a busy night. Wouldn't be too bad except for that radar.

[00:20:41]>> Good morning. What's all this I heard about a radar?

[00:20:43]>> Oh, boy. Just made it.

[00:20:46]Well, the Navy had a belated report of a possible raider in Bergen the day before yesterday. So, we laid down those searches on the Norwegian coast and also those patrols you see 51 and two between Iceland and Norway in case she tries to break out.

[00:21:01]>> Had there any idea what she is? Well, they think she's a doozled. So far, we've only got her up as a query at Bergen on the board. I suppose that's why you're reinforcing the escort and those two convoys 10 and 11 out there.

[00:21:12]>> Yes. I thought we better be on the safe side just in case. Any boat reports?

[00:21:16]>> Yes, it was very good attack down in the bay. Looked like a kill. Old grand full report in yet?

[00:21:21]>> Yes, the reports are in. They saw a lot of wreckage in there.

[00:21:24]>> Well, there doesn't seem anything else unusual except that long net flight number 12 out in the Atlantic. What's that all about?

[00:21:30]>> That was specially laid on for amry. U It should meet convoy number 15, too.

[00:21:36]And u I've left a note here in the log for you to tell the SSO if they do get a sighting report.

[00:21:42]>> Oh, well that's all right. I think with nothing else, I'll take over. L >> Okay.

[00:21:50]Well, Cher, good watch. Good breakfast to you.

[00:21:55]>> Chew. So long, Jerry. You have breakfast.

[00:22:01]>> Morning, eh?

[00:22:02]>> Morning, BW. Looks like a busy day today. Radio business.

[00:22:07]>> Yes. I wonder if she really is at sea.

[00:22:09]>> Oh, there's my phone. I'll come and see you in a minute. I know. Controller Coastal 9005 Squadron. I lost my assistant. No heading signal about 9005.

[00:22:20]>> No, sir.

[00:22:22]>> No, we've heard nothing different about it yet. You're going to move six of 678 from Antron to Kerry Keel today.

[00:22:30]I see.

[00:22:49]Must be the disselor. Give it a plate.

[00:22:53]>> Plotter.

[00:22:55]>> Yes, sir.

[00:22:56]>> I have an enemy plot for you.

[00:22:58]>> All right, sir.

[00:22:59]>> Catalina N of 470 reports an enemy unit >> bearing 358°.

[00:23:05]I got William, London, Orange 2348.

[00:23:10]>> Course 235°, speed 25 knots.

[00:23:15]>> Time 0700.

[00:23:17]>> Plot it as an enemy naval force.

[00:23:19]>> Right, sir?

[00:23:24]>> You got everything you want?

[00:23:26]>> Fine. That's all right. I'll tell the admiral here and let you know what they want. Right. Thank you.

[00:23:37]Look, 27, I've just had that enemy report in from N of 470.

[00:23:43]Have you ordered a relief aircraft to take over shadowing the radar? A standby Sunland from Port Ferry Bay. Good.

[00:23:55]>> No, thanks. You eat?

[00:23:56]>> Yeah, I'll have some. That's enough.

[00:24:01]>> Well, I'm going to do some work. Bloss, Joe. Can we have something on the radio, Pete? Something nice and soothing, Pete.

[00:24:08]I'm not quite this stuff today.

[00:24:24]Here it is, folks. What the hell you got there? It's the board's new mascot.

[00:24:57]Let's have a look.

[00:25:01]Who is it? Who's the devil thing? Santa Claus? What's this? A pigtail? No, it's to sling him up in the wardrobe. Lucky old Hitler. Let's have a look. Lou.

[00:25:11]Cool. Just what you need. Yeah. Give it to me. Chy Lou, I've lost a shirt. Shut up.

[00:25:24]Skipper's coming aboard, Red. So he is.

[00:25:31]Oi. The Skipper's coming aboard.

[00:25:33]>> Okay. Right. Skip is clean. Love the stuff out. I'll give you a hand with a washing up. A woman's work is never done.

[00:25:49]Morning.

[00:26:13]>> Morning.

[00:26:15]>> What the devil is this? Oh, it's supposed to rescue. Who's just want to sort there? 700 all signed us.

[00:26:22]>> Morning Moon.

[00:26:24]>> Good lord. Pretty fitting end to him, isn't it? Jimmy got the real one here, sir.

[00:26:28]>> Lewis, suppose you made this.

[00:26:30]>> Yes, sir. All right.

[00:26:31]>> Jolly good effort. Jolly good.

[00:26:34]>> Sure, little boy. Give that to Lewis, will you?

[00:26:36]>> Okay. Uh, something's special on the day, sir.

[00:26:39]>> Yes, there is. Now, I want all the crew down in the ward room right away.

[00:26:44]Uh, ask the lads to come down. The Skipper wants everybody in the wardrobe, >> right? Hello out there. Skipper wants you all in the wardrobe.

[00:26:52]>> What? All of us? Yes, everybody.

[00:26:55]Is he Roy? Nothing special on the day.

[00:26:58]>> Hope so. Anyway, your boots.

[00:27:15]Yes.

[00:27:16]Right. There's a German raid route south of Iceland and we're going out to relieve the cat that's found it. It's doing towards our convoys. So, we've got to hang on to it.

[00:27:29]>> Okay.

[00:27:30]We'll get going.

[00:27:35]>> They start up.

[00:27:37]>> Yes, I've got all that, sir. I tell the CNC. I think he's on his way down now.

[00:27:42]>> Yes. Things always happen that way.

[00:27:44]Still, we've got plenty available, I think.

[00:27:47]>> How long will they be changing those boxes?

[00:27:51]>> Well, here is the CNC as I ring it up again later to do. Goodbye, sir.

[00:27:55]>> Morning, Dr. Morning, sir. How are we getting on?

[00:27:58]>> Well, 27 group are sending off a Sunderland to relieve N407 on shadowing.

[00:28:04]The 28th group are sending off a bow strike with torpedoes, followed by Hudson's with bombs.

[00:28:11]>> I see. I think we shall have to move a Buffford squadron from force to Iona in case we get a second chance of a strike on the enemy. He may continue on their southernly course and in that connection uh we shall have to arrange for some sweeps in that area in case the shadowing aircraft loses the enemy in a storm.

[00:28:30]>> Yes, sir.

[00:28:31]>> By the way, when are those strikes going to get off? The bow for ought to be off orbit immediately, sir. And the Hudsons will be about an hour and a half.

[00:28:37]They've got to change their bombs.

[00:29:08]Hi kid. How you doing? Fighting the groove, Mac. What's going on over there?

[00:29:12]Changing bombs. Yeah, looks like a big setup.

[00:29:30]The Dorfs here, and we have two forces in the neighborhood. One to the northeast, which I don't think will catch her, and this one to the southeast. But they're both light forces and the admiral would like coastal command to attack the little dwarf so as to [ __ ] her and allow the heavy ships to have a chance. I see.

[00:29:50]Well, it looks as though the main responsibility is on us now and uh that what we've laid on is only just about enough and we may have to do some more.

[00:30:00]>> Yes.

[00:30:01]>> And I ought to discuss it with the admiral. Would you get on for me?

[00:30:06]This message has come through from Draw.

[00:30:12]>> Thank you.

[00:30:14]Our navigator, I want you to work out sweeps to intercept the Dusselled door >> and across the shadows the whole time and there'll be more later. Does that suit you? All right.

[00:30:26]All right. Well, then our people are already on the move.

[00:30:34]All hatches closed. Are all the hatches closed?

[00:30:38]>> Yes. Okay, pal.

[00:30:39]>> Okay.

[00:30:44]What do you think? Everything all right, Mandy? Okay.

[00:30:49]Okay.

[00:31:01]Heat.

[00:31:14]Heat.

[00:31:33]But I've spoken to the sailors and the situation is as you see it on the board there.

[00:31:40]The Catalina is shadowing.

[00:31:43]The Sunland is going out to relieve her.

[00:31:46]The Buffetts in Iceland with torpedoes are ready to strike to be followed by the Hudsons with bombs. Oh, and you're going to move that um Buffford squadron from force to Iona.

[00:32:00]Well, I don't think there's anything more we can do.

[00:32:04]We must wait and you'll let me know if anything happens.

[00:32:09]>> Thanks so much.

[00:32:29]Look boys, they got a puppets. Heat.

[00:32:30]Heat.

[00:33:16]Yes.

[00:33:16]>> Navigator here. I parted those sweeps.

[00:33:20]Shall I take them up the SASO or do you want to see them first upstairs? Thank you very much.

[00:33:24]>> There you go, son.

[00:33:29]Air Minister Waral here. I've got details of a strike for you. Sorty number 15 from Iceland.

[00:33:39]Taking off 10:15.

[00:33:42]Estimated time of return 1455.

[00:33:45]9 Hudson 1425.

[00:34:11]Heat.

[00:34:34]Heat.

[00:34:37]Heat.

[00:34:54]Heat.

[00:35:16]Heat. Heat.

[00:35:23]Heat. Heat.

[00:35:48]Heat.

[00:36:02]Heat.

[00:36:29]Millie, better get another signal off. Enemy causing speed. Same as before. Okie do.

[00:36:47]this. Okay.

[00:36:56]Send this off, will you?

[00:37:19]Port blister calling captain. Port blister calling captain. Three bulberts coming up on the port quarter, sir.

[00:37:26]>> Okay. Okay.

[00:37:28]Wait. What is it? Bits attacking the old dusty.

[00:37:34]>> Hey Tommy, come and have a look at this.

[00:37:38]>> Where are they?

[00:37:39]>> Down there.

[00:37:45]>> I can't see three from here. Let me know what happens, will you?

[00:37:48]>> Okay.

[00:37:50]They're breaking formation now. Going into line of stern.

[00:37:55]Line right down on the deck. Boy, this is lovely.

[00:38:02]Now they're coming around. They're flying all along the ship's course. Any minute now they'll be turning into attack.

[00:38:09]Hey, how about some pretty guards?

[00:38:15]>> They're turning. They're turning.

[00:38:18]They're going in.

[00:38:34]They'll be dropping that fish any minute now.

[00:38:37]>> Gee, those boys are good.

[00:38:48]>> They're beating it now. Like that's out of hell. One of them's going right over the ship.

[00:39:07]I think the first part's miss.

[00:39:12]Bloody good show.

[00:39:32]Pilot calling blister. Pilot calling blister. We'll go and see if they've bent it.

[00:40:17]Johnny, I'm going around the gun positions.

[00:40:37]You all right?

[00:40:38]>> Yes, I'm all right. Bit cold off. Cold?

[00:40:42]Yes.

[00:40:44]You'll be leaving in about quarter of an hour. Okay.

[00:40:54]The cat the shadowing great has been hit. It's on its way home.

[00:41:07]You all right?

[00:41:10]Okay.

[00:41:19]This is the radest position here, sir.

[00:41:22]And this is our position here.

[00:41:25]It'll take an R10 to reach the rad position.

[00:41:29]>> I see she's doing 30 knots.

[00:41:31]>> How's the speed given in the last signal, sir?

[00:41:33]>> That means that she can get 35 mi in any direction before we reach her last position.

[00:41:40]>> That's right, sir. Well, I suggest when we get there, we do a square search and we'll fly down the river's last door for our first leg.

[00:41:51]>> Right. I think that's our best plan.

[00:41:55]We should be there by about 11:00.

[00:42:09]Heat. Heat.

[00:42:45]Looks as if we've lost the black.

[00:42:47]Trouble is, since Catalina turned for home, she's not being shadowed.

[00:42:51]>> When's the Sunland due out there?

[00:42:53]>> She ought to have made contact an hour ago.

[00:42:56]What I imagine happened is that the Disted course is doing a square search for her.

[00:43:03]>> She finds her again.

[00:43:20]Heat. Heat.

[00:43:28]Heat.

[00:43:45]Heat.

[00:44:16]Good choice, sir. They found her again, >> right? JR, >> what position does he give?

[00:44:21]6105 north, 1410 west. Course 063, speed 12 knots. Bye, Joe. She's done for home.

[00:44:54]We're hot after him. We've got force MX from the southern and we've got another force PR coming down from the no as hard as they can belt. Now if your aircraft can keep him shadowed and knock a bit more off his speed, we've got him.

[00:45:20]Navigator calling captain. Navigator calling captain. We've almost reached the raider's position, sir.

[00:45:27]>> Right. Use the bombs to come on up.

[00:45:53]There she is.

[00:45:56]>> Good. There's the radar. Over beyond.

[00:46:03]>> Rover leader calling vomit. Rover leader >> calling formation. Break away by flight.

[00:46:09]Coming away by flight now.

[00:46:43]Okay.

[00:46:54]>> Rover leader calling a flight. Robo leader calling a flight. Break up.

[00:46:57]Attack individually. Go.

[00:47:14]Heat. Heat.

[00:47:39]They've hit her twice, I think. Two hits stab him.

[00:47:44]Here come the second lot.

[00:47:49]Heat. Heat.

[00:48:22]There's one of our output channels gone in. Henry lock going in.

[00:48:39]Heat up here.

[00:49:24]Gosh, another hit.

[00:49:29]>> I thought that was a near miss off, didn't you, Jeremy?

[00:49:32]>> Yes, sir. A near miss.

[00:49:40]There's one of them going home.

[00:49:56]>> Right. Jamie, we'll go and get this message away now.

[00:50:00]>> Okay. Stop. Right.

[00:50:06]Okay, Sean.

[00:50:26]>> Gosh, I'm hungry. Any grub going? You might get a cover to your round three if you're lucky. Estimated number of hits, two, sir. That's right. Two forward, one near miss.

[00:50:38]>> Three hits, one definitely off.

[00:50:40]>> Are you absolutely certain?

[00:50:42]>> Yes, certain. Definitely three hits.

[00:50:45]>> Oh, she on fire.

[00:50:50]>> Oh, bloody lovely.

[00:50:58]Thank you.

[00:51:01]>> Coco, >> will you plot this on the map, please?

[00:51:13]>> She's had two moldies, one near the stern, which will cut down her speed a good deal. Also, several direct hits with bombs, one of which has started a good fire. Iceland are keeping up the attacks and 27 groups still shadowing.

[00:51:28]I'll pass on any more I get. All right, goodbye.

[00:51:37]OPW, what you want now?

[00:51:40]>> All I want is a little information, please.

[00:51:42]>> Certainly.

[00:51:44]We're always at your service.

[00:51:46]>> We'd like to know the exact details of the damage you've done to the little door.

[00:51:51]Well, that will mean the Sunderland going in right toes.

[00:52:09]Hello all positions. Hello all positions.

[00:52:12]We are now going in a little closer to observe the exact damage. Stand by everyone. Over.

[00:52:24]Jimmy, I want you to go down to the bomb's position and plug into the intercom and pass on any gen to Mr. Brisco. You understand?

[00:52:36]Okay. And press, I want you to get a message paired and take down any information that Jam will pass up and get a message away immediately. Right out.

[00:52:48]>> Jimmy, we're going into cloud. I'll give you warning before we come out.

[00:52:54]Remember, we won't be out for long, so you'll have to get cracking.

[00:52:58]>> Okie do, sir. Right. Off you go.

[00:53:15]Heat. Heat.

[00:53:34]Attention everyone.

[00:53:58]I'm going to throttle back in a moment.

[00:54:02]Come out of this cloud. When we come out, we'll be over the radar. I want everyone to stand by.

[00:54:10]Ready, Sean?

[00:54:14]Ready, Jeremy?

[00:54:15]>> Okay, sir.

[00:54:19]Right. Hell, girl.

[00:54:53]listening badly.

[00:54:55]Reduce speed.

[00:55:04]Fire up under control. Front gun turret damaged.

[00:55:19]I told you he wouldn't be out for long.

[00:55:25]That was pretty close. Did anyone see where it was?

[00:55:30]>> Don't know. Damn close to Port Wing. Can you see it, James?

[00:55:40]>> Have you got everything, Jamie?

[00:55:42]>> Yes, sir. I've got a wizard for you.

[00:55:44]>> Right. Come on out.

[00:55:48]Get this off straight away in plain language.

[00:55:51]Po tongs hit.

[00:56:07]Poor tongue's hit. Get some leak stoppers.

[00:56:10]>> Which one?

[00:56:11]>> Here, I think.

[00:56:16]>> Controller speaking. Get out the smoking everybody. There's petrol about. No smoking anywhere.

[00:56:42]Go down. Go to the midship. Will you tell them to stand by?

[00:56:46]>> Okay, sir.

[00:56:52]Two holes, sir.

[00:56:54]Pretty bad, aren't they? Yes. He told the bottom one first. How long it take?

[00:57:00]He won't be long, sir.

[00:57:10]>> Is it safe to go on transmitting one spark from here? know with all this juice about.

[00:57:15]It's the most important message. We'll have to risk it. Right. Ow. And send returning to base. Port tanks hit and then no more transmission.

[00:58:04]Well, that's just exactly what we want.

[00:58:07]Little door's been knocked about. All right.

[00:58:10]Darn good report by the sound of London.

[00:58:12]>> Look 27 group. Have you sent anything out to escort T 657? Nothing available.

[00:58:19]What about that sun in the Australian squadron? The one that landed at Port Ferry Bay last night. All right, you send that. I'll make it all right.

[00:58:28]Far as we can make out, he must be pretty badly knocked about. We haven't had a jeep out of him since his first distress signal. So, of course, by now he may be down in the brink. Well, in any case, we'll keep a listening watch on his wavelength in case he does get his wireless going. Let's see now. He was here when he was shot up.

[00:58:42]>> Yes, we sent a call to fly. You've got that with the rest of your journey.

[00:58:45]>> Okay, then all we can do is fly out on reciprocal and hope we bump into her.

[00:58:48]>> Yeah.

[00:58:49]>> Got your met report and your recognition signals?

[00:58:52]>> Yes, I saw the met man on the way in.

[00:58:54]Got everything buttoned up, Douggee?

[00:58:55]Yes, got it all. Here and here.

[00:58:57]>> You got all you want?

[00:58:58]>> Yes, sir. I'm all sir.

[00:59:00]>> Right. You better get cracking now.

[00:59:19]They're sending an Aussie boat out to reliever us.

[00:59:22]>> That's grand news.

[00:59:23]>> I hope they get a move on.

[00:59:25]>> I hope so, too.

[00:59:26]>> Yes.

[00:59:27]>> How's the petrol going, Joe? All right, we've got enough in the middle tanks to get us home with.

[00:59:34]How's Pam coping? He's all right. He nearly finished now. Good.

[00:59:55]>> Okay, sir. You can relax now. I've got those swimming sights.

[00:59:58]>> Were they good ones?

[00:59:59]>> Yes. The position line would cut our track. I should be able to get a very good ground speed.

[01:00:04]>> That means you can tell us when we'll get home.

[01:00:06]>> I hope so, sir.

[01:00:08]>> So do I.

[01:00:16]>> Got him. Right.

[01:00:23]>> How is he, Mace? We'll look after him.

[01:00:25]All right.

[01:00:28]What's it like, Roy? It'll be all right.

[01:00:30]Talent hole. That'll get us home. All right. We always get home.

[01:00:35]Sit down, pimp.

[01:00:38]How do you care?

[01:00:41]>> Burning.

[01:00:43]Get some tanner effects in a towel, will you?

[01:00:46]Oh, the sweater.

[01:00:51]I'll soon have you. All right.

[01:01:00]Well, Force MX ought to be in contact with the Dist by now.

[01:01:05]>> We know there are several enemy aircraft active from Trundum. They're probably looking for your force.

[01:01:10]>> Yes, she's close enough home for them to be able to give her air escort, but I see you're dealing with that.

[01:01:16]>> Our bow fighters from Bedrron. They ought to be just about there by now.

[01:01:20]They've been told to give sighting reports as well.

[01:01:22]>> No, that's good.

[01:01:23]>> The thing that's really worrying me is our damaged Sunderland.

[01:01:26]>> She may easily run into her young as 88 or something like that.

[01:01:30]>> Well, she's got a good sting in her tail.

[01:01:46]Any news of T for Tommy?

[01:01:52]>> No, sir.

[01:01:56]>> No news yet. What's our position now?

[01:02:01]>> And the only thing to do is to keep on this course and hope for the best.

[01:02:10]That cup of tea, pan.

[01:02:14]Oh, that's bloody ho.

[01:02:19]>> There's an aircraft on the port side, Johnny.

[01:02:24]>> My god, I got it. 88.

[01:02:26]>> Johnny, quick. Okay, Johnny.

[01:02:29]>> Hell, I'm going to go the front side.

[01:02:31]Stay old boy. Look after yourself.

[01:02:47]Yes, I can see you, sir. Parents calling. Can you hear me?

[01:02:50]>> Okay, Lois, turn it to port. Be quick.

[01:02:54]Yes, I can see him, sir.

[01:03:03]>> Can you see it, John? He's gone straight over the starboard.

[01:03:06]>> Okay, turn it to war. Did >> you get him that time, Monday?

[01:03:30]>> Yeah, I think I got him that time, sir.

[01:03:32]>> Well, he's still flying anyway.

[01:03:37]Hey, another three just in front.

[01:03:41]There are three more dead ahead. They're breaking formation. The lead is coming straight on. Watch the other two, will you miss?

[01:03:53]>> It's up to you, Liz.

[01:04:06]No, you're naked first.

[01:04:07]>> Okay, then.

[01:04:20]What the hell's happened? I hit him that time, sir. There he goes. Right there.

[01:04:26]That's more like it.

[01:04:36]Huie's been hit.

[01:04:38]>> What? Huie's been hit.

[01:04:40]>> All right, sir. I'll take over. Where'd they get you? Any arm?

[01:04:44]>> Yeah.

[01:04:44]>> Come on. Let's get over.

[01:04:48]>> Jimmy, he's been hit off and see if you can give a hand, will you?

[01:04:52]>> Okay, sir.

[01:05:09]This will put me out of action for a bit, Henry.

[01:05:12]>> Yes, a nice spot to leave now. U?

[01:05:15]>> Yes.

[01:05:20]>> Oh, it's okay. It's all right. Testing the guns.

[01:05:22]>> Thank God for that.

[01:05:25]Hello control. Starboard midship's gun.

[01:05:27]Okay, sir.

[01:05:29]>> Okay, Jones, everybody reloaded. Got new magazines on.

[01:05:36]Keep an eye open, everybody. Still three aircraft about, you know.

[01:05:46]Captain the navigator. Captain the navigator. We either missed her or she's down in the drink. Better work out a square search. Let me know soon as you've got the first course ready.

[01:06:03]>> Hold it, navigator. We found them.

[01:06:04]There's a bit of a party on.

[01:06:06]>> Action stations, everybody. Get into all positions.

[01:06:09]>> Action stations. In we go.

[01:06:17]Here come the Aussie boys. They'll help us out.

[01:06:52]Stand by everyone. They're coming in from the port side.

[01:06:56]They're coming into port. Coming on the port side. You'll see them in a minute.

[01:07:00]Israel, >> keep your eyes open. M. Watch. They're on the outside.

[01:07:07]Israel.

[01:07:10]Frankie. Another three. And I'll start with B.

[01:07:20]It's all right. They're both fighters.

[01:07:22]It's all right, John. They're both fighters.

[01:07:24]>> Four fighters coming, Henry. What?

[01:07:29]Ball fighters.

[01:07:30]>> You'll pick them up, Jason. Boy. Lovely.

[01:07:36]>> A lovely grub. Jerry's headed. They're turning. Boy, what a picture.

[01:07:58]Heat. Heat.

[01:08:05]Heat.

[01:08:20]Heat.

[01:08:27]Heat.

[01:08:40]Heat.

[01:09:04]How are you, Huie?

[01:09:05]>> Oh, I'm feeling fine, thank you, sir.

[01:09:08]>> What happened to him, Jamie?

[01:09:09]>> Oh, he stopped one in the arm, sir. I fixed it up. All right. You're all right, Yui, aren't you?

[01:09:14]>> Yes.

[01:09:16]>> Good.

[01:09:16]>> How'd the ball fighters get on, sir? It was terrific, Jerry. They knocked hell out of them. How did they get?

[01:09:22]>> Oh, well, you know our trouble. We couldn't go fast enough to catch them up.

[01:09:26]>> Slow but sure. That's us.

[01:09:33]>> The mag for Katy here. Those two Sunderland should be back here about 1930.

[01:09:38]>> No, that's fine.

[01:09:40]>> Sick call, please. Wasn't put on >> my Hello, please. Look, I'm expecting two.

[01:09:48]>> Is that the marine section >> about 1930?

[01:09:50]>> Will you get the flat bath l?

[01:09:53]>> Thank you.

[01:10:12]Heat. Heat.

[01:10:45]Since this news began, we've received the following communicate. The German raider drizzled off has been sunk.

[01:10:52]Following upon the attack by the Royal Air Force Coastal Command described in our last bulletin, a successful torpedo attack was delivered by Swordfish aircraft of the fleet air. The damage inflicted by these attacks enabled his majesty's ships to come to grips with her and the final engagement lasted only a few minutes. That's the end of the news.

[01:11:11]>> Looks as though the Navy got our message, doesn't it?

[01:11:14]>> Oh. Oh, sorry.

[01:11:15]>> Don't mind me.

[01:11:16]>> That Hudson did get a direct hit on the stern.

[01:11:18]>> Yes. I may have been quite right when he said about three direct hits.

[01:11:21]>> Yeah.

[01:11:23]Good dog. All right, chaps. Don't get up.

[01:11:30]These are your two legs here. Hello, Hillary.

[01:11:34]Nice to know you're not going to be in here too long.

[01:11:36]>> Well, that's good news, sir. I wondered how long you're going to keep me lying down.

[01:11:40]>> Well, here you are. It seems right here.

[01:11:43]>> How are you now, Pam?

[01:11:44]>> Oh, I'm feeling quite all right, sir. I don't see why they brought me in here.

[01:11:47]Well, we must keep you under observation for 24 hours, but you'll have him back in your crew in 3 days time.

[01:11:52]>> Oh, good. And now's my chance of spot leaves, sir.

[01:11:55]>> Leave. Oh, boy. Now you're talking.

[01:11:57]Leave, miss. There's no leave for you.

[01:11:59]As a matter of fact, we're going to West Africa.

[01:12:01]>> West Africa? No, I'll tell.

[01:12:03]>> This week's funny story.

[01:12:06]>> There's nothing funny about it. As a matter of fact, I've brought the signal on. I knew you wouldn't believe me.

[01:12:11]>> West Africa? Too far away. No weekends.

[01:12:14]We can't go there.

[01:12:16]Can't go. We're going Eline. We're going Crackle Dawn on Thursday morning.

[01:12:22]>> Thursday. God.

[01:12:40]Heat. Heat.

[01:13:00]Heat. Heat.

[01:13:32]Every aircraft has a story that deserves to be told. Don't let these legends fade into the past. Like this video and subscribe to our channel and help us keep aviation history alive.