Amazing stories of survival (1 Viewer)

[larso]

I've just finished reading a book about the fighting between Japanese and Australian forces in New Guinea. At the start of this campaign, about 150 captured Australians were massacred at a place called the Tol Plantation. However, one bloke, Billy Cook, who was bayoneted 11 times(!!!) managed to crawl off into the jungle. After a couple of weeks(!!!) of travelling through swamps etc he managed to be rescued and was taken back to Australia. My idea for a thread is this - what other people in history have survived experiences that by any measure should've been the end. They can be like the example above or sheer luck too. Non military is fine as well, so that American who cut off his arm (after breaking it first of course) to escape from the rock that trapped him, would also qualify.

Incidentially, following the war Billy Cook had a job with the Sydney trains. One night he was run over by one and both his legs were cut off. Yet he survived that too!!! and lived another 30 years!!

 

[larso]

As to luck - well the best story I can recall is of the Australian whose bomber was shot down (1943?) but for some reason couldn't get/use his parachute - so rather than crash in flames he lept to his death instead. In a piece of luck defying calculation he hit another parachuting Australian and somehow managed to grab this other guy's leg and keep hold to the ground! The grabbed leg got broken but both survived being POWs. I guess this took place at night too.

 

[Jack]

As to luck - well the best story I can recall is of the Australian whose bomber was shot down (1943?) but for some reason couldn't get/use his parachute - so rather than crash in flames he lept to his death instead. In a piece of luck defying calculation he hit another parachuting Australian and somehow managed to grab this other guy's leg and keep hold to the ground! The grabbed leg got broken but both survived being POWs. I guess this took place at night too.

I seem to recall the story of a coastwatcher who removed his own appendix. Another story of survival was the collector who let his wife think that TS were half the price that he was paying...or did that end poorly...I cannot remember.

 

[TomNT]

I seem to recall the story of a coastwatcher who removed his own appendix. Another story of survival was the collector who let his wife think that TS were half the price that he was paying...or did that end poorly...I cannot remember.

I think the last bit most collectors can relate to (at least the ones with wives which excludes me!) and if you do remember how it ended Jack, then please let us know as i for one am riveted on the outcome! ^&grin

Good thread John and poor old Billy must have had a guardian angel with him all his life.

Tom

 

[larso]

"Another story of survival was the collector who let his wife think that TS were half the price that he was paying...or did that end poorly...I cannot remember."

Stay tuned! She'd be stunned to see that so many here complain about prices.

I also remember now an incident during a Japanese earthquake in the 70s. A guy was lying on a hotel bed when the quake hit and the floor collapsed under him. He fell onto the bed (empty as it turned out) in the room below, his own mattress then fell on top of him, just before the rest of the building collapsed on top of him. He survived in his mattress sandwich.

 

[The Military Workshop]

I seem to recall the story of a coastwatcher who removed his own appendix. Another story of survival was the collector who let his wife think that TS were half the price that he was paying...or did that end poorly...I cannot remember.

For some strange reason my thoughts are with that collector !