THE SAVIOUR OF CEYLON
In April 1942, a Catalina flying boat from a Canadian radar-equipped
squadron spotted a "black speck on the horizon". Further investigation
revealed that it was a Japanese invasion force sailing towards Ceylon
(now Sri Lanka). Japanese Zero fighter planes destroyed the Catalina flying
boat, but not before it had transmitted a warning that saved Ceylon, and
perhaps even India, from surprise attack. The pilot, Squadron Leader Len
Birchall of St. Catharines, Ontario, was christened "The Saviour of Ceylon"
by Sir Winston Churchill |
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