Disaster Overtakes Two Bombers

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 43, 21 February 1936, Page 7

Disaster Overtakes Two Bombers

THREE KILLED AND THREE MISSING. LONDON, February 19. The Air Force winter exercises opened with disaster when two bombers crashed, one at Sussex Downs near Petersiield, and the other in the channel, less than a mile from Havre. The first ’plane, which was attached to the Tenth Squadron, caught fire immediately it struck the ground at about 1 a.m. The sergeant piloting it was thrown out and staggered to a neighbouring farm, where he collapsed. The other three ocupants were killed. A similar fate overtook the crew of the other bomber, which was forced down in the sea. One man swam ashore, but three are missing. Shipping circles are conducting an intensive search. The ’plane sent.out distress signals owing to a shortage of petrol and directed towards Havre, but it was unable to make the coast. The chief object of the exercises was to test the efficiency of control and intelligence and organisation under ideal winter conditions, but thick moving clouds and gusty winds reaching fifty to sixty miles an hour, presented problems which were not experienced during the summer manoeuvres. Some raider 3 were intercepted while others attained j-tieir objectives successfully and bomb.-.

ed aerodromes and reservoirs in London.

At Le Havre, the well-known local swimmer, Tanguy, saw the 'plane circling and seeking a ianding place when it was forced down. He immediately launched a canoe in high seas and found the pilot, Captain Page. As the canoe was rapidly filling with water, Tanguy was obliged to return - with him to the shore, though he saw two other airmen some distance away. He made three attempts to find them, but each time the canoe filled so rapidly that he was forced to return to shore and empty the water. Finally, the canoe overturned and the rescuers exhausted were forced to give up their attempts. Captain Page stated that h$ lost tis way. in the fog. x,