RESCUE OF AIRMEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 123, 24 April 1936, Page 9

RESCUE OF AIRMEN.

* PARTY ON THE WAY.

AIACHINE BADLY DAAIAGED

SYDNEY, April 23. A rescue party in a motor-track left early this .morning to bring back the crew of the Air Force survey 'plane which crashed and had been missing in the Northern Territory since Monday week. It is expected that the truck will reach the men before dark, and members of the party expect to be back at Newcastle Waters by lunch to-morrow. The rescue party is conveying a large quantity of provisions, but no alcoUohc stimulants because “the Newcastle Waters Hotel has run dry,” due largely to festivities marking the discovery of the airmen. The latter, at 8 a.m. to-day, received further food and water supplies parachuted from Air Force ’planes which revisited the scene of the crasii. The Air Board has sent a message of congratulation to the Air Force personnel ipon the successful result of the search, and tlie board’s thanks have similarly been conveyed to two civil pilots who participated ill the task.

One of the pilots who flew over Flight-Lieutenant Hely’s. crashed plane to-day reports that the machine lies canted on a small cleared patch. Apparently when it made a forced landing it struck anthills and a tree s)tump. The undercarriage hnu collapsed and both lower v ings and the tail were smashed. The crew had camped under a tarpaulin which they erected under the fuselage. A largo patch of ashes 100 yards from the machine suggested that the men had kept a fire going, in fact, one was still burning. Although tlie machine came down about 85 miles in, a direct line from Newcastle W aters, the total distance by bush is 130 miles. A number of aborigines volunteered to help in clearing the track for the ground party at a point where it is difficult for a motor vehicle to traverse. SUCCESSFUL JOURNEY. Received April 24, 10.45 a.m. SYDNEY, April 24. Guided by an aeroplane, the rescue party reached the stranded fliers .last night. It has started back to Newcastle Waters.