Luftwaffe Luftwaffe Survival Buoys

[Hauptmann]

Hi all,

Something came up tonight I haven't thought of for a while. When I was much younger I used to get World War II history magazines whenever I could. Sadly I only have a few. But I believe in one of those or a similar magazine there was a very good article on Luftwaffe survival buoys. I've looked high and low and so far I can't find my copy of this. It may be in storage and if so there's no telling when I'll be able to lay my hands on it.

These were set out in the English Channel so that pilots and aircrew that were shot down (German or otherwise) could get to them in their life rafts or by swimming if close enough and inside they'd find all the basic survival gear they'd need to stay alive till rescued... bunks, blankets, dry clothing, water, food, flashlights, equipment to make repairs on the buoy if needed, pumps, etc. Both sides tended to check them so they'd either be rescued or captured depending on who was in them and who found them. From what I understand the Germans felt these should have had the same protection as Red Cross facilities but the British would often shoot at them figuring that if the airmen survived what was the point in shooting them down in the first place. Not making any judgements here... it's just what I read in several articles. But basically that's one reason that they finally stopped putting them out there.

Here's a site I found with a few pictures... but basically what I'm looking for is a picture or series of pictures that I remember from that magazine showing a cutaway (similar to the one on this site) but labeled as to what was stored where inside. It may also have been in color... I just can't remember for sure. Hoping perhaps one of our members may have this and would be kind enough to post it or perhaps a scan of the complete article as I feel it would be of interest to all our members interested in the Luftwaffe:

http://www.luftarchiv.de/index.htm?/gerat/rettung.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dirk_bruin_vl...57602180011317/

Thanks!

Dan

[Paul R]

Dan,

That is a very interesting article(on the Luftarchiv). They do look like submarine conning towers!

[Jesse]

That might have been part of the reason the RAF was shooting them up? A sub-conning tower would have probably been a very sought after target. Who knows...........

I also remember seeing a cut away of these with a lengthy article somewhere in a book. Will keep my eyes open.

[PeterL]

A thread on another forum on the subject, unfortunately turned in to something else by a bitter person. You have an very interesting first hand input as well.

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.p...highlight=buoys

I hope you don't have to be a membert to view the tread, but if you need to be, I think it is well worh joining and learn other aspects of our hobby.

Regards

Peter

Edited February 1, 2009 by PeterL

[nesredep]

Hi all,

Something came up tonight I haven't thought of for a while. When I was much younger I used to get World War II history magazines whenever I could. Sadly I only have a few. But I believe in one of those or a similar magazine there was a very good article on Luftwaffe survival buoys. I've looked high and low and so far I can't find my copy of this. It may be in storage and if so there's no telling when I'll be able to lay my hands on it.

These were set out in the English Channel so that pilots and aircrew that were shot down (German or otherwise) could get to them in their life rafts or by swimming if close enough and inside they'd find all the basic survival gear they'd need to stay alive till rescued... bunks, blankets, dry clothing, water, food, flashlights, equipment to make repairs on the buoy if needed, pumps, etc. Both sides tended to check them so they'd either be rescued or captured depending on who was in them and who found them. From what I understand the Germans felt these should have had the same protection as Red Cross facilities but the British would often shoot at them figuring that if the airmen survived what was the point in shooting them down in the first place. Not making any judgements here... it's just what I read in several articles. But basically that's one reason that they finally stopped putting them out there.

Here's a site I found with a few pictures... but basically what I'm looking for is a picture or series of pictures that I remember from that magazine showing a cutaway (similar to the one on this site) but labeled as to what was stored where inside. It may also have been in color... I just can't remember for sure. Hoping perhaps one of our members may have this and would be kind enough to post it or perhaps a scan of the complete article as I feel it would be of interest to all our members interested in the Luftwaffe:

http://www.luftarchiv.de/index.htm?/gerat/rettung.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dirk_bruin_vl...57602180011317/

Thanks!

Dan

Hello!

Very interesting.Thanks for posting.

All the best

Nesredep

[Rich]

There is an illustrated article on them, and RAF equivalents, in a c.1940 publication called Britain's Wonderful Fighting Forces (Think that's the title but I don't have a copy to hand.)

[Hauptmann]

I finally found it. I was incorrect... it was actually in the book Great Battles Of World War II by John MacDonald on page 28 on the Battle Of Britain:

It's a truly neat craft... a shame none are left (at least that I know of). Sure would be a neat mock up project for a high end collector or a museum.

Dan :cheers:

[Hauptmann]

[Hauptmann]

[Hauptmann]

Check out a movie called "One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing", a British film from 1942 as it includes one of these German rescue buoy's.

Dan

[Jesse]

Check out a movie called "One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing", a British film from 1942 as it includes one of these German rescue buoy's.

Dan

Thanks Dan. Good to see this thread still going, these were interesting.

Heres's a "YOUTUBE" link for the whole moive. Merry Christmas Guys - Jesse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBueIQSltMI