ESCAPE FROM DEATH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 204, 29 July 1932, Page 8

ESCAPE FROM DEATH

BRITISH AIRMAN’S EXPERIENCE. Flying-Officer J. M. Wells, of Perth, attached to No. 55 bomber squadron, stationed at Hinaidi, has returned to England for special medical treatment, after a lucky escape from death at the hands of Barzani tribesmen. Flying-Officer Wells was piloting a Wapiti biplane, accompanied by a wireless operaator, on a roconnaissanco flight 250 miles north of Bagdad. He was flying level with the mountain tops near Shirwan Mazin, at about 800 ft, when tho engine failed. He came down on the first available clearing. The machine overturned, pinning Flying-Officer Wells beneath it, breaking bis right shoulder, and pulling the arm out of its socket. His companion, who was not injured, dragged him from the wreckage. The Barzanis opened rifle fire on them, but the airmen crawled to the shelter of rocks. They were captured, and taken to a cave in the mountains. Tho tribal doctor treated Fly-ing-Officer Wells’ shoulder by primitive but effective methods. They waited for 10 days, while the nearest political agent negotiated for tho airmen’s release with the powerful sheik Ahmed.