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Old 2nd May 2016, 22:38
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SirPeterHardingsLovechild
 
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RAF - 84 Squadron


Japanese forces overran the Sqn in Java and all were taken prisoner except a small party including the CO and 11 aircrew

http://www.84squadron.co.uk/html/history.html

...finally from Java, where at Tilatjap they were finally overrun. All were taken prisoner, except for a small party consisting of the CO and 11 aircrew, who escaped in a 28-foot ship's lifeboat named HMRAFS 'Scorpion'. This crew sailed from Java to Australia in 44 days, living largely on 960 cans of American beer found in the boat.


There's more to be told on this story, I'll see if I can dig it out. If anyone has access to newspaper archives, maybe through their library, search for "Escape from Java"
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