ATLANTIC FLIGHT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 156, 13 April 1928, Page 5

ATLANTIC FLIGHT

The Bremen passed over Galway at 7.5 a.m., flying strongly, and was last seen at Castielio, 20 miles west of Galway. Visibility was then bad. Baron von Suhnfeld and Mr Fitzmaurice (Chief of the Irish Air Force) are accompanying Koehl.—Australian Press Association.

Mr Fitzmaurice, sending a message before the departure of the Bremen, said that in view of her geographical position in reference to future air transport, it was appropriate that Ireland should be associated with the present flight, discouraging criticism of which could be answered by tho simple statement that every success requires a certain amount of risk. "By the time this is published,” he said, "we will be 100 miles from the Irish coast. God willing, 30 hoars thereafter we shall reach New York and claim the conquest from the west.” NOT YET REPORTED. (Received This Day, 11.20 p.m.) . NEW YORK, April 12. The Bremen had not been reported on Thursday afternoon. It is expected to reach Newfoundland <at midnight and New York at noon on Friday. The wind conditions are believed to be favourable but the temperature was freezing in the vicinity of Newfoundland.—Australian Press Association.

SIGHTED WEST OF IRELAND.

THEN MAKING GOOD PROGRESS

(Received This Day, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, ~April 12. Although a few hours after the departure of the Bremen somewhat alarming weather reports were received from America, the value of the Germans’ information was confirmed by wireless by the Majestic* 500 miles from England, describing perfectly clear sunshine with a negligible wind. In the afternoon a report from Baldonnel ez/ited that the Bremen had been seen 880 miles due west of Ireland, on a dead course for America. The perfect airworthiness of the machine was seen in the fact that, despite five tons dead weight and a slight, headwind, it averaged 95 miles an hour for the first 90 minutes. Although the monoplane occupied most of the long runway of 1800 yards and bumped slightly following the first take-off, it rose rapidly and settled down to a steady speed. : —Australian Press Association.

DOUBTS AS TO SUCCESS. GERMAN (PRESS CRITICISM. (Received This Day, 1 p.m.) LONDON, April 12. Aviation experts; express rather a gloomy view concerning the Bremen’s chances of success.

The majority of the German newspapers maintain their previous attitude, describing the venture as foolhardy. Even if it succeeds, they say,, it is merely a sporting feat of daring. There _ should be no further transAtlantic aviation.

The “ Tages Zeitung” alone extends unreserved praise, and says the aviators’ daring is born of idealistic spirit in contradistinction to the materialistic conception of the age. Mrs Koelil said: “The courage and enterprise of the fliers, is well known. The flight must be a success. The only thing now is to wait and pray. I know my husband will succeed.” Koehl is a Bavarian, aged 40. When informed that he had been dismissed by Lufthansa because he was undertaking a flight, he said: “What does that mean? I will consider the position if I reach the other side. I believe I may manage without my employers. If the outcome is the loss of my job, it will not be the chief of my worries.”

Baron Huenfeld is a member of an old Prussian family, and was formerly intimate with the ex-Crown Prince. — Australian Press Association.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL. TYPICAL GERMAN THOROUGHNESS. (Received This Day, 12 noon.) LONDON, April 12. The departure of the Bremen followed 17 days’ ceaseless watch, careful scanning of weather reports, and minute attention to details as perhaps was not reached iff connection with any west to east trans-Atlantic venture. It was characteristic of German thoroughness throughout, with businesslike final touches, all of which suggest that the adventure had the best possible chance of success. The only criticism was the absence of wireless and a collapsible boat, but the Germans were banking everything on "the machine remaining in the air. Wings were specially stowed with petrol. There were also l>alloonettes for buoyancy. The machine carries 45 hours’ supply of petrol, and it was calculated to reach their destination in 36 hours. As the aviators believed' that all the fatalities on east to west flights were due to snow and ice settling on the wings, snecial arrangements were made for electrically heating the wings.

THE LATEST VENTURE. GERMANS START ON JOURNEY. DEPARTURE FROM IRELAND. (United Press Association—Copyright). LONDON, April 12. Dublin reports state that the German aviator, Koehl, started for America at 5.30 this morning in his monoplane Bremen. The monoplane took off in the presence of the President, Mr W. T. Cosgrave, the German Consul, and 500 spectators. Koehl stated that everything favoured success, the Atlantic weather report being excellent. The ’plane is taking the great North Circle route.