Shipping search, north of Crete.
1942-October-11 Maryland AH280 was hit by enemy flak as it circled a convoy while sending out signals for a striking force to home in on. They ditched off the southwest corner of Crete. Escaping the sinking aircraft the crew of four drifted in a two 1-man dinghies for eighteen hours before being picked up by a Dornier flying boat from the 7th Seenotstaffel. A Bristol Beaufighter flying out of Malta had directed the German flying boat to the rafts. In 2000, Hickson was contacted by the German pilot that saved them and many details of the rescue were exchanged.
The following crew members also failed to return: