ANTARCTIC RESCUE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30085, 20 March 1963, Page 20

ANTARCTIC RESCUE

Russians Out

Of Storm

(N.ZJ*.A. -Reuter— Copyright) MOSCOW, March 18. The last group of Soviet polar explorers caught five days ago in a fierce hurricane have been flown through the teeth of the storm to the Australian Mawson base. Tass reported today from Mirny, the main Soviet Antarctic base, that the explorers had been trapped at the field base about 140 miles from their Molodezhnaya station.

Sixteen Soviet explorers were completing work at the geological field base at the foot of Mount Riser-Larsen on the Vernadsky Peninsula when the devastating hurricane struck Enderby Land. Winds reaching 125 miles an hour smashed a one-engined plane, tore tents to shreds, and scattered - camp equipment The party saved the second plane, scientific equipment and observation materials Eight evacuated the base in the saved plane and yesterday a twin-engined aircraft left Mirny with a doctor to rescue the eight men remaining at the foot of the mountain.

The plane had to wait a whole day at Mawson station while the hurricane raged round the geological base. The aircraft took off for Vernadsky Peninsula this morning end was forced to circle for 30 minutes before the pilot eould land. Eight explorers were rescued and flown to Mawson.