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661
‘There can be no question as to the bravery of these men of the Air Sea Rescue Service who were often working within
sight of the French coast. For myself, I would rather meet a FW 190 head-on in my Spitfire than meet one from a rescue
launch.’
Flight Lieutenant D. R. “Don” Morrison, D.F.C., D.F.M., No 401 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron, who rescued L.A.C. Dargue off
Dieppe - taken from Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork’s Shot Down and in the Drink, R.A.F. and Commonwealth
Aircrews Saved from the Sea 1939-45.
An outstanding Second World War Dieppe raid B.E.M. group of five awarded to Leading Aircraftman A. Dargue, Royal
Air Force, for great gallantry as a Nursing Orderly in high speed launches of Air Sea Rescue
BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (1331108 L.A.C. Albert Dargue, R.A.F.); 1939-45 STAR; ATLANTIC STAR;
DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS 1939-45, good very fine and better (5) £2000-2500
Leading Aircraftman A. Dargue, B.E.M., (second left), with fellow A.S.R. crew
B.E.M. London Gazette 29 December 1942:
‘Leading Aircraftman Dargue was Nursing Orderly on a High Speed Launch during the combined operations on 19 August 1942. In
spite of wounds, he endeavoured to carry out first-aid to the wounded until he was picked up in a seriously wounded condition. The
courage and valuable services rendered by Leading Aircraftman Dargue are typical of the high qualities displayed by the nursing
orderlies, who have carried out hazardous operations in High Speed Launches which play an essential part in Air Sea Rescue.’
Albert Drague was serving in H.S.L. 122 of No. 27 Air Sea Rescue at Dover at the time of operation “Jubilee”.
Of the 14 High Speed launches called out on 19 August 1942, in response to no less than 47 “Mayday” calls, three were lost to enemy
action, among them H.S.L. 122 - five of her crew were killed, including Flying Officer J. R. Hill, four wounded and two taken P.O.W.
Her fate - and that of H.S.L. 123 - is summarised in an official report submitted by Squadron Leader Coates, from which the following
extract has been taken:
‘At about 16.35, four miles S.E. of the position, going north, 123 was attacked by two out of four F.W. 190s that appeared ahead. L.A.C.
Wilkins was wounded and Sergeant Smith slightly wounded. A “Help” signal was sent. The planes did not return and course was
maintained. Shortly afterwards the boat was challenged from the shore and the batteries opened fire, the shells falling astern. At 16.50
four F.W. 190s attacked from the port beam and course was altered towards them and no casualties resulted. A second “Help” signal
was sent. Course was altered to N.W. to try and shake off the planes, which again disappeared, and to contact 122 [with Dargue
aboard] for mutual aid and support ... 122, when sighted, was being bombed by a Heinkel and when closed at 17.15 was found to
have been badly damaged by cannon and machine-gun fire, and with only five men left alive. These were being transferred when six or
eight F.W. 190s appeared and attacked from the port beam, four serious casualties being sustained. A signal “Urgent Help 182
Dungeness 23” was sent. The boats then became separated. In view of the fact that not a single British fighter had provided cover or
was even sighted from the time the English coast was left, and that we had been informed that none could be expected, it was
considered that absolutely no possibility remained of making the 25 miles to our coast against the concerted attacks in operation. The
boat [122] was therefore abandoned at 17.20. Whilst the survivors were in the water both boats were attacked for about half an hour
and set completely on fire ... H.S.L. 177, five to six miles distant, apparently saw smoke and having contacted R.M.L. 513 and two
Spitfires, proceeded and performed a plucky and skilful rescue at about 18.00, the F.W. 190s making off on their approach ... ’
www.dnw.co.uk
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