APRIL 20TH. - APPLEDORE, AND ILFRACOMBE, DEVON. At about 1 P.M.

a message was received at Appledore from the Croyde coastguard that an aeroplane had crashed in the sea on the south side of Morte Bay, and at 1.10 P.M. the Appledore motor life-boat Violet Armstrong was launched. A fresh S.W. wind was blowing, with a moderate sea. The life-boat went to a point off Woolacombe, N.W. of Morte Point, and, directed by a look-out man on Baggy Point, found and rescued four airmen in a dinghy. All four were injured, one seriously. The lifeboat took them to Ilfracombe, where they were placed in the charge of an R.A.F. doctor.

The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 6.15 P.M.

News that an aeroplane had come down in the sea was received at Ilfracombe, a few minutes before 1 o’clock, from a resident at Woolacombe, and from the Ilfracombe coastguard at 1.10. At 1.15 the motor life-boat Rosabella was launched. She met very heavy breaking seas off Morte Point, and a strong headwind and tide. The coxswain was thrown against an after bollard by a heavy sea and he and one of the crew were slightly hurt. On reaching Woolacombe Bay the life-boat saw the Appledore boat rescuing the airmen, and as her help was not needed she returned to her station, arriving at 3.40 P.M. - Rewards : Appledore, £5 6s. ; Ilfracombe, £6 11s. 6d.