FAREWELL MESSAGES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 85, 13 April 1929, Page 9

FAREWELL MESSAGES

CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS

"We will make our objective," said Squadron-Leador .Kingsford Smith, a. few minutes before the monoplane took off. That was (just a fortnight ago, and since then the whole world ha,s been on tenter-hook's, for the-airmen failed to reach it. This was Wyndham, from where the flight .to England was to commence. From Wyndham,] the reaching of, which ,was calculated to. present no serious obstacles, the flight was to be to Singapore, a "hop" of 2000 miles, and thence to England in stages via India and Bagdad. That was the programme, arid that tho airmen were

confident, of success can -be gleaned ,from their- farewell messages, given just before leaving Richmond. •■• ■'■• ■ The messages were as'follows':—: Squadron-Leader "■ Kingsford . Smith.— "We have'only a matter >of two or three minutes now before we take off, so I . have not much time to make any kind of-a ■speech .to, you, and it is'not; my intention, anyway. It.is fine to see so many of you good folk here to speed, us on our way, and when we arc sitting up in the;sun it,'.will be something for xis to. think about. In a moment the' Southern Cross will be but. a speck to ,you, aiid we shall, be on our way to the 'Old Country.' If the 'bus' behaves as she did on'our last flights then I have no doubt about our making our objective. We will win through, and, I hope, achieve something which will contribute towards the linking up of the Empire by'air communication, and

incidentally do something for Australia. Cheerio, all r of you, and many: thanks for the wonderful send-off."

Plight-Lieutenant :Ulin.—"My -partner, Kingsford Smith,' has -told you of our .hopes and our prospects, and I can only tell, you that for the .'future "glory and success of this great country of ours I do sincerely hope, that the good wishes showered on our little party will come to fruition by' a successful landing in that little island—the motherland—l2,ooo miles away,' thereby strengthening the bonds of, friendship and bringing nearer the time -when it will be days only, and-not weeks, that divide us from the hub of the world. The Southern Cross is in splendid condition, and we look forward to a successful journey^' . "■'..■ -'„■',■■■ Lieutenant Litchfield.—"Given good visibility and a wee bit of luck, the Southern Cross. is good enough to lap the world." .-.'■. :

.. Lieutenant M'Williams.—"My chance of telling you of our hopes and prospects will begin when I start tapping the keys, so, till then, all the best." :