Young R.A.F. Man Disappears

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28159, 24 December 1956, Page 11

Young R.A.F. Man Disappears

(Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, December 22.

Whitehall intelligence hiefs today analysed reports on the mysterious disappearance of '•'lying Officer Anthony Maynard Wraight after he had flown to Berlin in a civil airliner on December 3 last.

It is understood that widespread inquiries in Britain ind Germany have been made oy Scotland Yard's special branch—the corps of detectives specialising in political crime. The Air Ministry announced last night that the 22-year-old officer, who haa been absent without leave from his unit since December 6. had been interviewed about his contacts with Soviet representatives in Britain. The officer’s father. Lr F. MWraight. a London wine merchant, said today; “This has been a great shock to Hs- We really know nothing about it.” A well-informed London source said today that the Foreign Office had warned the British Embassy in Moscow

that Wraight might be on his way to the Soviet Union. Officials in London agreed that it would be normal for the British embassy in Moscow to be informed from Whitehall if there were any likelihood of Wraight travelling there The “Daily Express said that the British Embassy in Moscow was warned seven days ago taat an i.A.r. regular officer who had been in contact with Russian representatives in Britain had disappeared. Wraight flew to Berlin by B.E.A. as “Mr Wright,” and vanished. Wraight flew to Berlin by B.E.A as tional aircraft before he was suspended from flying in October for medical reasons. , . , n . In Berlin last night a news blackout surrounded the disappearance. German police withheld the Passenger list of the flight on which Wraight arrived in Berlin. No restrictions had been placed on Wraight’s movements and he could have gone through London Airport as an ordinary passenger. I