THE KOOKABURRA TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 185, 3 May 1929, Page 9

THE KOOKABURRA TRAGEDY

DISCOVERY OF BODIES OF ANDERSON AND HITCHCOCK DEATH DUE TO THIRST ’ GOVERNMENT ORDERS BURIAL AT WAVE HILL * The land party discovered the bodies of Anderson and Hitchcock; the latter’s under the wing of the aeroplane and the former’s about 400 yards away. Notes written on the rudder of the Kookaburra stated that the airmen had not sufficient strength to get the aeroplane away, owing to debility caused by thirst. The bodies were buried on the spot, but it is announced that the Government has decided that they shall be given suitable burial, and an overland party is being sent from Darwin with two caskets, and the bodies will be exhumed and taken to Wave Hill. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

Sydney, May 2. After two days of silence on the part of the land search party, details of the tragic discoveries made at the site of the stranded Kookaburra have been received in a brief message from Wave Hill by the secretary of the Air Board. The body of the man under the ’plane was that of Hitchcock, not Anderson, as previously reported. Anderson’s body was found by a black tracker four hundred yards from the Kookaburra. Lieutenant Eaton reported that the bodies were in such a condition that it was impossible for the party to take them back to Wave Hill. Owing to shortage of water the land party was unable to remain any longer at the spot, and was forced to return to Wave Hill after the bodies had been buried. The report further stated that the engine of the ’plane was in good order. On the rudder of the machine the party found written notes of the unfortunate men’s experiences with a statement that, owing to the debility caused by thirst, they had not sufficient strength to get the ’plane away. Lieutenant Eaton’s message to the Air Board was to the effect that his party reached the Kookaburra on April 29. Hitchcock’s body was found under the wing. The probable date of his death was April 12 or 13. The party buried the body of Hitchcock (he same afternoon. After an hour and a half’s search Anderson’s body was found and buried. The forced landing of the Kookaburra was due to cylinder trouble. A runway was cleared, but no take-off was attempted until April 11, owing to increased debility due to thirst, flies, and dust. Leaving Alice Springs, Anderson followed the telegraph line for a hundred miles, but owing to cross winds and an inaccurate compass he had to steer by the sun on account of the featureless desert. t)iary Written on Rudder. A short, rough diary containing this information was written on the fabric of the rudder, dated April 10. Apparently Hitchcock died first, and Anderson left the machine with an air cushion and two bottles of petrol to seek water, but he had proceeded only half a mile in a circular course before death. A small hole was dug beside the machine for water, and the alcohol from the compass had been drunk. Two packets of biscuits still remained in the 'plane, which had been damaged during the landing, the under-carriage being strained and the fuselage and three-ply on the side split. The fabric of the 'plane was torn and one tire

was flat. Approximately twenty gallons of petrol remained, and the oil sump was full. Lieutenant Eaton adds that he removed the piece of fabric with the diary on it. The nearest water from Anderson’s plane is a small mud pool, fast drying up, forty-five miles to the north-west. The first attempt of the land party to reach the 'plane on April 27 was unsuccessful owing to their inability to locate it. The horses went without water for forty-five hours. “The country covered is very bad, but a spec!-, ally-equipped party with two one-ton trucks could possibly get through to Anderson by following our tracks,” Lieutenant Eaton concludes. “The wreaths dropped from the air earlier were placed on the graves.” BODIES TO BE TAKEN TO WAVE HILL PARTY SENT FROM DARWIN WITH CASKETS (Rec. May 2, 8.5 p.m.) Sydney, May 2. The Prime Minister announced that the Government intended to adhere to its original intention of bringing the bodies of Anderson and Hitchcock back to civilisation. An overland party is being sent from. Darwin, with two caskets, borne by camels, to the scene. The bodies will be exhumed, and taken to Wave Hill, where they will be given suitable burial. Headstones also will be erected. It is further intended to erect a memorial at Alice Springs aerodrome, whence the gallant fellows took off in the final stage of their ill-fated flight. Four Air Force 'planes are remaining at their bases with the object of co-operating with the overland party. AIRMEN HAD REPAIRED ENGINE (Rec. May 2, 8.5 p.m.) Sydney, May 2. Commodore Williams, Chief of the Air Force, said a tragic aspect of the matter was that after Anderson and Hitchcock had repaired the engine they apparently were overtaken by thirst before they could get the 'plane again into the air. The Government had already spent £20,000 on the search operations.