The unsung heroes of the aircraft carrier battles in the pacific theater are without a doubt the deck crewmen. Working tirelessly to repair and prepare the airplanes so that the next strike is able to lift off they also displayed the utmost heroism when a damaged airplane crash landed on the deck.
In this amazing color video, you will see planes badly damaged in combat smashing onto the flight deck. Before the planes have come to a complete stop the deck crew has already climbed on the wreck in an effort to save the pilot. Frequently the pilot is wounded or simply too exhausted from hours of flying to and from the battle, intense combat that he is unable to climb out of the cockpit. When the plane burst into fire, not uncommon, it does not stop the crew, they will risk their lives and do what they can to get the pilot out.
Frequently the pilot is wounded or simply too exhausted from hours of flying to and from the battle, with intense combat in the middle, that he is unable to climb out of the cockpit. When the plane burst into fire, not an uncommon circumstance, it does not stop the crew, they will risk their lives and do what they can to get the pilot out.
Not shown on this video but it deserves a mention, whenever the carrier is damaged in battle it is the deck crew that is in the line of fire and are the ones who will begin firefighting and, again, rescue attempts.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=5eiLA4EPuz0