NAVAL OPERATIONS.

Auckland Star, Issue 111, 13 May 1935, Page 7

NAVAL OPERATIONS.

Fatal Accidents Mar American Manoeuvres. SECRET MOVES OP AIR ARMADA (Received 2 p.m.) HONOLULU, May 12. Two fatal accidents have marred the naval operations in Hawaiian waters. Lieutenant Matliias Wyatt was drowned when an aeroplane lie was piloting crashed in the ocean after taking off from the deck of the Saratoga. Richard Cliadwich, a gunner's mate, was killed, and three sailors were injured when the destroyers Hieard and Lea crashed during a night patrol against a mythical submarine attack.

Admiral Reeves announced to-day that the naval air squadron had safely reached its destination and was executing its missions, but the identity of the destination and other details have been withheld.

An earlier message stated that the air armada of 48 'planes, which left Honolulu on Thursday for Midway Island, continues its operations behind a veil of censorship and radio silence. Its whereabouts are still unknown.

Navy officials state, however, that not all the 'planes would fly to Midway. Censorship at the island is.admitted in Washington. It is said that Admiral Joseph Reeves, commanding the fleet, undoubtedly sent a vessel to the island to regulate dispatches from the cable office there.

Observers conclude that the 'planes came down for the night either at the French Frigate Shoals or the Pearl and Hermes Reef. Some of the 153 ships of the fleet are known to be in that vicinity, with surface vessels near. The aircraft could have alighted easily in tho coral-encircled waters and have obtained fuel and service from the warships before continuing their operations.

ARAB REGRETS. Gesture of Respect Over Bodies Of Slain British Flyers. TRAGEDY IN EUPHRATES AREA (Received 2 p.m.) BAGDAD, May 12. A party of Arab horsemen unexpectedly brought the bodies of PilotOfficer Newman and Aircraftsman Hawkins, who were sl\ot down in a R.A.F. 'plane by tribesmen in the Euphrates area, who recently revolted, to a railway Station near Bagdad.

The Arabs fired their rifles in the air, a traditional Arab salute, and then decamped. The authorities interpret this action as a gesture of respect for the dead, and also as an indication that the destrubtion of the aeroplane was unpremeditated but the work of irresponsible sharpshooters.

The airmen's remains had been reverently treated and were conveyed a considerable distance. They will be buried in the Air Force cemetery with full military honours.

JUBILEE AIR MAIL.

New Zealand Stamps for King's

Collection

THIS WEEK'S FLIGHT.

SYDNEY, May 12

On tlio Silver Jubilee air mail flight to New Zealand and back Sir Charles Kingsford Smith will carry letters addressed to the King at Buckingham Palace.

v The stamps on the envelopes will include the special Australian jubilee stamp, depicting His Majesty mounted on a charger. They will lie postmarked in Australia and New Zealand for, as is well known, His Majesty is a keen philatelist.

Flying-Officer B. Shiel will be co-pilot with Captain Taylor in the Faith in Australia on the flight to New Zealand.