ITALIA’S POLAR FLIGHT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 190, 14 May 1928, Page 9

ITALIA’S POLAR FLIGHT

A SERIOUS REVERSE ALPINISTS LEAVE EXPEDITION CONVINCED VENTURE TOO HAZARDOUS General Nobile has met with a serious reverse in his North Pole, expedition, six Italian Alpine Chasseurs! who were to have been dropped at the Pole for a short survey, having left the expedition, being convinced that the venture is over haz- • ardous.

(United Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Service.) London, May 11.

A message from. King’s Bay, Spitzbergen, says that General Nobile met his first serious reverse when six Italian Alpine Chasseurs who, according to the general plans, were to be dropped at the North Pole for a short survey, left the expedition. Experience of conditions amid the Polar ice wastes of Spitzbergen convinced them that the venture was over-hazardous. (Rev. May 13, 5.5 p.m.)

Copenhagen, May 12.

One of the Italia’s gondolas was badly bumped when landing. Repairs to the motor will occupy three days. Meanwhile bad weather is approaching.

GETTING AHEAD OF RUSSIAN EXPEDITION (Australian Press Association.) Spitzbergen, May 11. It is revealed that General Nobile’s early start for Nicholas Land, from which he returned, was due to information that a Russian expedition was on route thither. The start was accompanied with considerable difficulties. Three hundred men worked all night long transferring stores, gas containers, and instruments to the airship. WILKINS GOING TO OSLO FUTURE PLANS (“Times” Cables.) London, May 11. Captain Wilkins cables from Svalbard that he flew from Green Harbour and arrived at Advern Bay, fifteen miles away, where he placed the aeroplane aboard the Hobby. He expects to ship it from the most convenient port to America. Wilkins and Eielson expect to arrive by train at Oslo on May 24, when they will be the guests of the Norwegialn Aero Clubs and Geographical Society. Thence they will visit Lars Christensen, the Consul at Sandefjord, to discuss the Antarctic plans. When they are completed they will fly to Berlin, where they will be the guests of the Aeronautic Society, the American Ambassador, the American Club, and the Foreign Press Club. They will visit Antwerp at the request of the Belgian Geographical Society. and proceed to London, where they will address the Aeronautical Society and discuss the Antarctic plans with the Polar Research Society. (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. May 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 12.

Wilkins and Eielson have left King’s Bay for Oslo. Wilkins, will lecture in London in June. He will also discuss plans for the Antarctic expedition.

TO RESCUE THE BREMEN AMERICAN ’PLANES BEING SENT TO GREENLY (Australian I J ress Association.) (Rec. May 13, 5.5 p.m.) , Washington. May 11. The War Department has ordered two amphibian ’planes to proceed to Greenlv in an effort to get the Bremen to the United States before the spring thaw makes the ice and ground too soft to take-off. The Bremen will be flown to the United States by the Junkers’ pilot Melchoir, who will be dropped on Greenly by parachute. The German Embassy has obtained permission from Canada and Newfoundland. THE BENTLEYS REACH CROYDON (Australian Press Assn—United Service.) Paris, May 11. Captain and Mrs. Bentley have arrived at Le Bourget on their honeymoon air tour by light aeroplane from Cape Town. (Rec. May 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 12. Captain find Mrs. Bentley have arrived at Croydon.

AIR FORCE MACHINE CRASHES TWO MEN KILLED (Australian Press Assn. —United Service., (Rec. May 13, H. 15 p.m.) London, May 12. Stalling prior to landing at Farnborough aerodrome, an Air Force machine crashed among adjoining houses, struck a bay window, smashing the brickwork. The wing tore a hole in the roof and rebounded into the front garden of the next house, missing by inches a woman and child clipping a hedge, over which the machine passed. A gardener also bad a narrow escape. The machine was smashed to pieces. Aircraftsman Bolton was killed outright, a telegraphist. Carter, soon died in hospital, ami the pilot. Captain Ellison, of the Royal Marines, is seiiouslj injured.

MAILS PICKED UP BY AIRSHIP

(United Service.) New York, May 11

A 200-foot non-rigid army airship late to-day settled on a United States Shipping Board steamer find in three minutes picked up sacks of mail, again taking io the air. and carrying them back to Lakehurst hangar. The steamer in the meantime continued on her course without, halting. The chairman of the Shipping Board, Mr, O'Connor,

believes that we will soon be exchanging passengers in the same way. ROCKET AEROPLANE SECOND DEMONSTRATION TO BE MADE London, May 11. A second remarkable demonstration by the Opel Company of the rocket aeroplane has been fixed for May 17. when the aeroplane, piloted by Anton Raab, will shoot off at a speed of thirty-five miles an hour from the Frankfurt aerodrome. Soon after the start the speed will be increased to 250 miles an hour. During the flight Raab hopes to take a record of meteorological conditions at a height of 32,500 feet, as it is proposed to run a trans-Atlantic air service at this height by means of rocket ’planes. After that Raab will descend to earth by means of a parachute, while an automatically opening parachute will be affixed to the aeroplane to assist its return to earth. The pilot will be enclosed in a small cage at the top of a long barrel-shaped rocket ’plane.