MISSION REPORT: 03 February 1945

MISSION REPORT - RESCUES - 01
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03 FEBRUARY 1945
First Lieutenant Robert Rohlfing, pilot of "Playmate Four Two", departed Morotai at 0825 for Wassile Bay. He sighted a survivor at 0855, landed and effected the rescue of Wing Commander Geoffrey Atherton, RAAF, (photo 1) (photo 2) P-40 pilot at 0900. At 0905, shore guns dropped mortar shells near the rescue ship without effect. Lieutenant Rohlfing took off at 0910 and arrived at Morotai at 1030. Wing Commander Atherton stated that while on a strafing mission along the coast of Wassile Bay, his ship was so severely damaged by small arms fire that he was forced to ditch his plane just off the target. He was unhurt and in excellent condition.

This rescue was credited with being the fastest water rescue by an aircraft at the time. [photo 1] [photo 2]

RESCUED P-40 PILOT: 75 Squadron, RAAF - Wing Commander Geoffrey Atherton

AIRCRAFT TYPE: OA-10A*
USAAF SERNO: 44-33879 (CV-330)**
CALLSIGN: "Playmate 42"
CREW: (Pilot) 1st Lt. Bob Rohlfing, (Co-pilot) 1st Lt. Denzil L. Kathman

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The narrative of these rescues was compiled and published in April 1946 from logbooks of pilots, notes, letters, and other
information by secretary Marina G. de Guzman in Pampanga, Philippines.

* Aircraft produced at Canadian Vickers Ldt, Cartierville, Quebec, Canada
** Canadian Vickers contract number that was unique to each aircraft produced by at the Cartierville, Quebec plan
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