BRITAIN TO CLAIM ON RUSSIA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22616, 20 April 1948, Page 5

BRITAIN TO CLAIM ON RUSSIA

COMPENSATION FOR AIR CRASH

SOVIET PLANE CAUSED COLLISION

FINDING OF BRITISH COMMISSION

(N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Coryrigrtt.)

(11 a.m.) LONDON, April 19. The British court of inquiry into the collision between a British air liner and a Soviet fighter over Berlin on April 5 reported that there was no evidence to show that it was anything but an accident.

The report exonerated the air liner pilot of all blame. The cause of the accident was the Soviet fighter’s action, which disregarded the accepted rules of flying and particularly the quadripartite flying rules for Berlin. It said that the Soviet fighter, after performing aerobatics, dived from a considerable height, made a steep climbing turn and collided head-on with the airliner. An examination of the wreckage of the Soviet fighter showed that it was not preparing to land. The airliner was outside the two-mile circuit of the Soviet aerodrome at Dalgow when the collision occurred. “Won’t Indulge in Threats” In the House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Ernest Bevin, said that, in view of the court's finding Britain would claim compensation from Russia. Asked whether jet fighters would escort British airliners if there was furinterference, Mr. Bevin said: “I am going to assume that the Soviet is going to be sensible. Therefore, I won’t indulge in threats.” The British authorities in Berlin have sent a copy of the court's report on the crash to the deputy Soviet Commander, Lieutenant-General Dratvin. The court's letter to General Dratvin added that if the Russians wanted further clarification of the evidence Air Commodore Waite, the head of the inquiry commission, would meet them. Soviet guards at the MarienbornHelmstedt frontier post turned back three British lorries carrying personal luggage and office files from Berlin to the British zone because their papers were alleged to be not in order. R.A.F. planes will fly the luggage from Berlin. The equipment in one of the lorries belonged to the exit and entry branch of the Control Commission, part of which is being moved to the British zone.

The British spokesman denied reports of a great speed-up in the transfer of certain Control Commission branches from Berlin.