Surviving the Bernese Alps: The Incredible 1946 C-53 Dakota Crash and Rescue

In this episode of The Crux True Survival Stories, host Kaycee McIntosh and co-host Julie Henningsen explore the dramatic 1946 crash and subsequent rescue of a C-53 Dakota aircraft in the Bernese Alps. Carrying eight passengers and four crew members, the plane's crash initiated one of the most legendary high-altitude rescue missions in Swiss history. The hosts delve into the challenges faced by the survivors amidst hazardous weather, harsh terrains, and primitive navigation systems. They discuss the swift, innovative rescue operation by the Swiss, which ultimately saved all passengers and set new standards for future Alpine rescues. The episode also touches on the long-lasting impact of this event and the ongoing discoveries being made from glacial movements in the region.

00:00 Introduction and Host Greetings

00:33 The Disappearance of C-53 Dakota

01:04 Challenges of the Bernese Alps

02:47 The Dawn of Post-War Aviation

04:21 The Fateful Flight

08:35 Crash Landing on the Glacier

10:08 Survival and Immediate Aftermath

12:38 Psychological Challenges and First Night

14:36 A Mother's Pride: Role Reversal in Crisis

15:17 Survival Tactics: Radio Signals and Winterization

17:11 Rationing and Radio: The Struggle for Survival

18:34 The Breakthrough: Spotting the Glint of Metal

19:31 Legendary Rescue: Swiss Mountaineers to the Rescue

20:23 Aviation Feats: Glacier Landings and Evacuations

22:07 Legacy of the Ghouli Glacier Rescue

24:53 The Alps' Secrets: Air India Flight 101

26:54 Modern Discoveries: Jewels and Bodies in the Ice

29:00 Conclusion: The Impact of Survival Stories

Email us! [email protected]

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/

Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/

Articles & Primary Sources Used

1. "US military plane that crashed in 1946 will emerge at bottom of Alpine glacier in the coming years"Stars and Stripes - December 10, 2020Author: Karin Zeitvogelhttps://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/us-military-plane-that-crashed-in-1946-will-emerge-at-bottom-of-alpine-glacier-in-the-coming-years-1.654796

2. "Development of a combined empirical index for a 5-day forecast of heavy precipitation over the Bernese Alps"Environmental International - February 2020Authors: Liliane Nguyen, Mario Rohrer, Manfred Schwarb, Markus StoffelDOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105357

3. "Steep rise of the Bernese Alps"University of Bern - March 24, 2017Published in Scientific ReportsDOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00440-0

4. "Teens find famed 1946 plane wreck in Swiss glacier"The History Blog - August 11, 2012http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/18382

5. "Flying in the Alps is That Dangerous"AOPA - March 14, 2021Author: Garrett Fisher

6. "Lost plane wreck and bodies emerge after glacier melts and reveals its secrets"Metro UK - August 10, 2022.

https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/10/lost-plane-wreck-and-bodies-emerge-after-glacier-melts-17157777/

7. "Wreckage Preserved By A Glacier: The Story Of Air India Flight 101"Simple Flying - December 30, 2023 https://simpleflying.com/air-india-flight-101-mont-blanc-crash/

8. "Vintage plane crashes in Swiss Alps, killing 20 on board". Associated Press - August 5, 2018 https://apnews.com/article/europe-ap-top-news-switzerland-international-news-accidents-9f0fb2952d4d4e31902e1d0c899fb977

Books Referenced

- "Twelve Walked Away" (1948) Author: Marguerite Gaylord Tate. Publisher: Harcourt, Brace and Company, New York

Wikipedia Articles Referenced

- Bernese Alps

- 1946 C-53 Skytrooper crash on the Gauli Glacier

- Post-war aviation