“A GIFT FROM SOVIET”

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6668, 23 July 1928, Page 7

“A GIFT FROM SOVIET”

Citta di Milano Receives Krassin’s Seven Rescued “BACK FROM HOLIDAYS’’ MEN CAN STILL JEST ■' . ' I * United Service, Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m. . r , JONG’S BAY, July 21. A copyright message states that the Krassin anchored after an hour’s difficult manoeuvring. The deck displayed bunting and Red Soviet flags were at the mastheads.- , Captain Romagna boarded and 15 minutes suspense ensued. Then a pinnace sped toward the Citta di Milano, the crew shouting excitedly as it identified the survivors.

Several Sailors Sob. When the name (Bekoumek) tho Czecho-Slovakian scientist, was called hi& sister broke down, sobbing. Several sailors cried like children. Ceccioni, who had been described dead, came stoutly aboard on crutches scorning the sailors’ preferred assistance...' , General Umberto Nobile was on de»k looking very pale. Ho embraced and patted Ceccioni on tho back, then resumed his scat. Viglieri, tall, lean and weary, approached and stood at attention before be shook hands with his leader. Viglieri, then greeted tho crew. Amidst tense silence Bekoumek rushed up with a jovial smile, exclaiming: “Hero I am back from'my holidays.’’ Ho turned to confront his sister as she threw herself sobbing on his breast. Biagi, pale and emaciated,, kissed Nobile without .saying a word. Zappi almost unrecognisably gaunt followed. Then came Professor Tro jaini in Russian clothes and legging* and with airman’s badge.

Krassin Wonderfully Kidd,. The Krassin’s crew was wonderfully kind, clothing and comforting the castaways. They even gave them a fountain pen apiece to write to thoir relatives. ' Mariani whoso foot had to be amputated boarded by motor launch later. Tho Italian cinematographer, grasp-;, iug a heavy camera tripod, unexpectedly fell into the sea and sank thrice before he was rescued, still, gripping the apparatus,- amid hysterical laughter. |S The survivors spent hours in their cabins reading /family letters ‘and hundreds of messages from Italy. ... Salvaged Prom Arctic. , The Krassin landed the ramains of the Italia ’s control cabin, many objects found at the camp including the f ami; ous red tent, the wireless set to which tho survivors owe their lives, and the broken framework of Lundborg’* seaplane, all of which will'be shipped to Italy to preserved, as sacred mementos.