“WE ARE DOOMED”!

Grey River Argus, 11 March 1939, Page 7

“WE ARE DOOMED”!

SWISS SOLDIERS

Snowed in on Alps

[Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.)]

BERNE, March 9.

Seventy-six Swiss soldiers, who are short of fuel, are snowed in on the Wildhornut, in the Bernese Alps, at an altitude of 7600 feet.

The commanding Major telephoned that they still have some food. A heavy gale is blowing, and snow is falling, increasing the danger /pf avalanches hourly. It is impossible t 0 send relief, and it is impossible for them to attempt to descend, while.the gale continues. The column which was engulfed by an avalanche on March 3, was taking supplies, but failed to reach the mor ooned troops. (Received March 10, 1.55 p.m.). BERNE, March 10.

Those who are snowed in have semaphored a message stating: “We are doomed! Do not waste lives in trying to reach us.” Despite this fact, the Swiss Army authorities are making a desperate bid to save them.

Trench mortars will be carried up the lower mountain slopes on the backs of mules, and their troops, on skis, will drag them up further. High explosive shells will then be fired against the mountainside in an attempt to dislodge the snow masses, and thus clear a downward path from the hut.

Another patrol of 15 men is reported to be snowed in at the Wildstrubel Hut, which is 9000 feet high, and is known as “The Mouse Trap,” owing to the difficulty in getting out of it during snowstorms. Unless the weather clears, there Is little hope of their being rescued.