BLOCKADE RUNNER'S END. 10 APRIL 1943, ON BOARD HMS ADVENTURE, IN THE BAY OF BISCAY. ON THE MORNING OF 10 APRIL 1943, THE GERMAN SHIP SILVAPLANA WAS SPOTTED BY ONE OF OUR COASTAL COMMAND AIRCRAFT, AND REPORTED TO HMS ADVENTURE, WHICH WAS RETURNING FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN TO THE UNITED KINGDOM. AFTER A LONG CHASE ADVENTURE CLOSED UP AND SIGNALLED BY SEARCH LIGHT ASKING THE IDENTITY OF THE SHIP. SHE ANSWERED IN A SUSPICIOUS MANNER AND THE ADVENTURE SENT TWO SHELLS CLOSE TO HER BOWS. IMMEDIATELY BOATS WERE LOWERED WITH MEN AS THE SHIP WAS SCUTTLED, BURSTING INTO FLAME AT SEVERAL POINTS . 157 SURVIVORS WERE PICKED UP, INCLUDING OVER 100 GERMAN NAVY. THEY WERE ALL BROUGHT TO A UNITED KINGDOM PORT.

Over two million American servicemen passed through Britain during the Second World War. In 1944, at the height of activity, up to half a million were based there with the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Their job was to man and maintain the vast fleets of aircraft needed to attack German cities and industry.