JULY 1 1TH. - SELSEY, SUSSEX. At 6.25 P.M. the coastguard saw a British aeroplane brought down by the enemy off Selsey Bill. A strong S.W. breeze was blowing, but there was only a slight sea. The motor life-boat Canadian Pacific was launched at 6.30 P.M. and at about 7 P.M. she found a British airman in the sea some three and a half miles S.W. of Selsey Bill. He had been in the sea for three-quarters of an hour and was exhausted, but unhurt. On returning with the rescued man at 7.55 P.M. the lifeboat learned that a German aeroplane had crashed five miles south of Owers Lightvessel.

She went out again at 8.10 P.M. and reached the position about 9.10 P.M., but saw nothing except, a large patch of oil. She returned to her station at 10.30 P.M.

A letter of thanks was received by the coxswain from the rescued airman, who is a squadron leader. He said : " When you arrived I had given up hope. I doubt if I could have lasted more than a few minutes.

Your skill in finding me in that rough sea seems a miracle to me. You and your fellows in the Life-boat Service are doing a magnificent job.” A few days later the airman won the D.F.C. - Rewards, £11 3s.

and £8 15s..