Naval Air StationPort Lyautey, Morocco

Bruder, a 1947 NAS Port Lyautey Control Tower Hero

In Late August or early September of 1947 a "White Hat," Navy buddy of mine, Bruder, was on duty in the NAS Port Lyautey's Control Tower when a Navy Mail Plane from England approached from the East to land on the rather short East-West landing strip.

Because of the shortness of the runway, especially with heavy loaded planes, it was necessary for the Pilot to set the plane down as close to the beginning of the runway as possible. Without good visibility or any prior knowledge of the landing strip that approach could be dangerous because the landing strip began very close to the edge of the equally flat and wide Sebou River. Not knowing exactly where the landing strip began could be confusing.

To add to that possible confusion the Sebou river makes a full circle just East of the city of Port Lyautey and returns immediately back to follow West and exactly parallel a few hundred feet/yards North of the incoming river bed. An unaware Pilot could easily believe he had just crossed the incoming river and attempt to set the plane down in that river bed thinking it was the air strip itself. It was an accident waiting to happen. (See picture below of the landing strip.)

On this particular flight's landing Bruder had just cleared the incoming plane to land. Although my 63 year recollection of the details of that landing is not as clear as it should be, what I remember is it was a late in the day with the landing heading into the setting sun. As the plane came gliding in with flaps and wheels down Bruder realized that the Pilot's approach was such that he was going to drop the wheels at the beginning edge of the incoming Sebou River! The Pilot was thinking the river was the beginning of the runway! Bruder immediately began calling out to the Pilot, "PULL UP!! PULL UP!! PULL UP!!

And the Pilot responded with full power just in time to pull back up and prevent his plane from crashing into the river.

After safely landing his plane the Pilot graciously thanked Bruder. He said that the river's reflection was similar to the asphalt runway about 100 yards away…with the setting sun the two images had blended into one. He also said that without Bruder's awareness and shouting call to pull up he would have most certainly crashed.

I thought then, and continue today in 2009, to be so pleased that the Pilot and Captain Dudley gave Bruder the recognition and Commendation he deserved. I thought it was extra special that the Pilot himself came to our Base to personally make the presentation of the deserved honor. (See picture of Bruder receiving his Commendation from the Pilot below.)

I would very much appreciate hearing from Bruder and/or the Pilot, or anyone that might have contact with them.

Jerry Zimmerman - Jerdadzim@cs.com

From Jerry Zimmerman's "Letters to Dolores" Collection:

SEPTEMBER 18th, 1947 - THURSDAY

I have had my first picture published in the United States, in Michigan. I don't know if I told you the story about Bruder, the fellow that saved a plane from crashing into the Sebou River on an attempted landing. I may have sent you a set of pictures from that Inspection when Bruder received his metal from the Captain. The picture that was used was the one where Bruder is shaking hands with Captain Dudley. It was printed right on the front page of their paper. I will send you a copy of it so you can see my first published work. The only thing is that it is by lined "Official Navy Photo". It is very exciting to see a picture of mine in the Newspaper, and the front page no less! A movie tonight, "Stallion Road".