COUNT VON LUCKNER’S ADVENTURES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22370, 6 April 1938, Page 3

COUNT VON LUCKNER’S ADVENTURES

FAMOUS RAIDER TO APPEAR AT THEATRE ROYAL

Count Felix von Luckner, the famous wartime raider, will recount some of his adventures in lectures to be given in the Theatre Royal on Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, and Monday night. Count von Luckner, who is on a tour of New Zealand, has been engaged by the J. C. Williamson Picture Corporation and the FullerHay ward Theatre Corporation, Ltd., to make personal appearances in the principal centres. In these lectures he will describe, among other things, his attempt to escape from Ripa Island, in Lyttelton harbour. From the stage he will recount in his own way the sensational story of his war adventures. He will tell of his amazing career as a raider, his adventures on the Seeadler, his capture by the British, and his escape from Motuihi Island, in Auckland. Of the escape from Auckland many and varied have been the stories written, but for the first time Count von Luckner will give the authentic version. not only of the actual escape, but of the months of careful preparation which preceded it. In addition to this thrilling side of the count’s talks, he has a message of peace among the nations of the world. The count, who during the war earned the reputation, of being not only a redoubtable foe but a splendid gentleman and friend, has a dynamic personality. During his stay in Auckland he visited many old friends, and also various places connected with his internment during the war. Count von Luckner received a tremendous ovation when he spoke at Wellington recently. So far from there being any hostile demonstration. I the Count was warmly welcomed, his lecture was punctuated by repeated clapping, and afterwards it was fully half an hour before he was able to leave the Opera House, because of the crov. '; round the doors. _ Among his audience were many uniformed soldiers, sailors, and returned war veterans, who listened raptly while the former enemy described how he evaded the British naval blockade in an antiquated sailing vessel. The lecture contained no word of propaganda. Speaking with great spirit, and with a wealth of gesticulation, he explained that he had fought at Jutland, when the two mightiest navies afloat met in battle on the high seas. Afterwards, when the British Navy was blockading the North Sea, and it was imperative from the German point of view to send out raiders to harass the British trade routes and draw off valuable men-of-war for convoy purposes, he approached the German Admiralty, and offered to slip through the blockade with a sailing vessel. “You will have no chance,” they told him. _ I will have two chances.” he replied; “One, a pitch-black night; the other, a hurricane.” , He obtained a full-rigged ship, fitted her out with absolute secrecy, with a 1000 horse-power engine and accommodation for a great number of prisoners of war. In her bottom he stowed his armaments, and covered everything with a heavy deck cargo of giant baulks of timber, so that she could not be searched below the hatches when at sea. He selected for sailing the longest night’ of «he year, December 21. The box plans for the Count s appearances in Christchurch will open on Thursday.