DESERT AIR TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20239, 26 April 1929, Page 13

DESERT AIR TRAGEDY.

SMITH INVESTIGATES. HITCHCOCK NOT OBSERVED. STILL UNCERTAIN. / INQUIJvY to be held. STATEMENT BY MB. BRUCE. By Trlecrapii -Press Association—Copyright. (Received April '2l, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 24. With reference !o the forced landings of the Southern Cross and tho Kookaburra. the Pjrime Minister, Mr. Brace, has announced that an inquiry will be held. The tribunal has not yet been decided upon, but it will not bo the Air Accident Board. The investigation will bo of -wide scope, and will probably result in recommendations tor aircraft in lino with the law of the sea.

Mr. Brnco also states that instructions have been given to bring the bodies of Lieutenant Anderson and Mr. Hitchcock, if possible, to tho nearest settlement, in order that' they may be iaken wherever their .relatives desire. Amalgamated Wireless. Limited, yesterday received reports from the Southern Cross saying she had left Wyndham at 8 a.m. and landed at Nicholson's Station on the Red River at 1.21 p.m. SquadronLeader Kingsford Smith investigated several fires.

At 3.55 p.m. the monoplane flew over the Kookaburra, which was on. ihe edge of a larce tract of burning country. The crew saw a body under one wing, and had a good look round .for Hitchcock but saw no sign of hjm. They then flew to Newcastle Waters where they landed at 5.4 p.m.

Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, also reported yesterday that the air liner Canberra was on the wing again and had landed at Newcastle Waters in the evening.

Flight-Lieutenant Eaton's pack-horse party left Wave Hill with the object of interring the remains of Lieutenant Keith Anderson and his comrade at the spot where they were forced down. Eaton nroposed to'fly the Kookaburra back to Wave Hill if possible. Other airmen who visited the locality to-day confirm the opinion that the mound near the Kookaburra is a roughly-made grave.

However, in view of the message from the Southern Cross crew that no trace was seen of Hitchcock when they flew over the/stranded aeroplane Air Forco officials are inclined to believe that the mound might have been formed of spoil from a hole wliich the two men dug for water. Several holes were dug, showing the desperate efforts the stranded men made to find water. There are also several wheel tracks on the ground. These indicate that the airmen tried to take-off.

The Southern Cross, the Canberra and fhe Atlanta left Newcastle Waters to-day for the respective homes of their crews who have been released from further search efforts. The Air Force pilots have taken ovei the responsibility for aerial reconnaissance over the Kookaburra, as from to-day. The Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce, says it would bo fitting to erect a memorial near the scene of the tragedy in order to perpetuate/ the sacrifice made by Anderson and Hitchcock.

SEABCHEBS DISPERSE.

SMITH GOING TO SYDNEY. J . CANBERRA MEETS TROUBLE. (Received April 26, 1.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 25. The Amalgamated Wireless reports that the Southern Cross left Alice Springs at "8 a.m.- to-day and landed at 6 p.m. at Booico Downs. She will reach Sydney to-morrow morning. ' The Canberra experienced engine trouble and was delayed, but arrived at Chaiievilie this evening. The pilot Brain and the radio operator Stevens flew from Brisbane to Sydney in the Atlanta and arrived late this evening. I ~

LIVES FOR OTHERS. NOBILITY OF SACRIFICE. LONDON TIMES' TRIBUTE. Times Cable. LONDON, April 23. Commenting on the Kookaburra tragedy the Times says. Anderson and Hitchcock must have suffered more, both bodilv and mentally, than the crew of the Southern Cross. The thing to be remembered of both men is that oi their own tree will thev risked the perils of a flight ,over inhospitable desert regions In which they came to grief. Like Amundsen, Guilbaud and their companions who perished when searching for survivors of the airship Italia, Andcr*on and Hitchcock set out at duty s call on an errand of mercy whence -they came Dot back. Thev lost., their lives in an endeavour to save .others from a like fate. Australia could not wisii for them a more noble epitaph.