WARTIME AIR SEA RESCUE ENGLISH CHANNEL

Описание: During the extensive Home Defence exercises carried out in the
summer of 1938 and 1939, landplanes had to fly over the sea and
special arrangements were made for air sea rescue. The RAF provided
special safety boats and destroyers were made available by the navy.
In addition, coastguards were instructed to keep special watch for any
distress signals. Civil aircraft equipped with radio and flying in the
area of a ditched aircraft could be called upon and asked to search for
missing aircrew.
RAF Bolt Head near Salcombe in South Devon became a key location for a base for air sea rescue aircraft and together with the RAF Rescue Launches based in Salcombe Harbour a very organised and cohesive sevice was able to effect efficient rescue of air crew from the Engish Channel.
The Sea Rescue Organisation put into force in August 1940,
valuable though it had proved in the Battle of Britain, was still found
to be seriously wanting in many respects, as the demands placed on it
increased.
Over the next two years the improved organisation, the increasing
availability of dedicated air sea rescue squadrons, the expansion of the
fleet of more capable RAF and Royal Navy rescue launches, and the
development of survival aids led to more rescues.
Special Thanks to Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork.