CHAMBERLAIN REACHES GERMANY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 June 1927, Page 5

CHAMBERLAIN REACHES GERMANY

A FORCED DESCENT

AEROPLANE DAMAGED

(By Electric Telegraph-Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association)

(Received 7lh June, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, 6th June.

Throughout the morning various telegrams gave different names of the spot where Chamberlain first landed. It now appears certain it was Helfda, near Eisleben, where a shortage of petrol compelled his descent at 7.40, after fiyfttg 44 hours, beating Lindbergh’s record. He took aboard a hundred litres of petrol and resumed the flight after 115 minutes’ rest. Apparently he miscalculated the direction and ilew too far south. Then, it is believed, trouble with German fuel forced him to descend eighty miles south-east of Berlin. He landed in a marshy.-;meadow,, and broke the propeller and. buried the ,nose of .the machine and undercarriage in the mm); The aviators were'unhurt, and will be taken to Berlin- by- aeroplane-.to-morrow. . WEATHER CONDITIONS FINE FOR FIRST PART OF JOURNEY SEVERE STORM IN CHANNEL (Reeenved 7th June, 10.25 n.m.) BERLIN, 6th June. Chamberlain, interviewed, said: “We had favourable following winds for 24 hours whilst over the ocean. Over England the weather was also particularly good, the wind coining from the south helping us. The conditions changed dramatically in the Channel, where a great squall buffeted the Columbia badly and heavy rain was encountered, but the machine weathered the storm splendidly. Once beyond the Channel we were confident 'we would attain our goal. Unfortunately at 5.30 the fuel ran out and we decided to land near Helfda. We ate practically nothing on the way and were very hungry and thirsty when we climbed out. But for the oil giving out we could have gone on flying. I tired of course, hut flying becomes' largely mechank-al.”

Levine, Chamberlain s companion, expresses keen disappointment at the mishap, but both were remarkably fit and looking forward to reaching Berlin by air. The propellor cannot be repaired before to-morrow. COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION NEAR (Received 7th June, 12.55 p.m.) NEW YORK, flth June. Two non-stop flights to Europe prove that the commercial transportation of passengers and freight across the Atlantic by air is near, is the opinion of government and aviation officials. With fuel stations at Newfoundland and Ireland, planes will have plenty of room to carry passengers and mail.