FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 30

FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA

DEATH OF MECHANIC.^ BASRA, July 6. Elliott, Mr Alan Cobhama mechanic, is dead. Mr Cobham is abandoning his flight. SHOT FIRED FROM RIVER BANK. LONDON, July 7. The Daily Chronicle’s aviation correspondent accepts the explanation that Elliott was shot by a rifle bullet by an unseen mvrksman below, and was not the victim of a defect in the engine. The shot penetrated the cabin and struck Elliott while he was attending to the engine. An official of the De Haviland Company expresses the opinion that while the seaplane was flying low following Euphrates someone on the bank took deliberate aim and the roar of the engines prevented Mr Cobham from hearing the shot. The bullet evidently broke the petrol pipe leading to the main tank and gave rise to the rumours that Elliott had been injured b" a broken pipe. He was doubtless unaware that he had been shot and imagined that the pipe had burst. Mr Cobham had no clear idea till he arrived at Basra. QUESTION OF CONTINUATION. LONDON, July 7. The De Haviland Company states that it does not desire the abandonment of the flight, and leaves the final decision to Mr Cobham. The Air Ministry states that it has not received any request to supply Mr Cobham with a mechanic. It would be quicker to obtain one on the spot than send ope from England, but if such a request were made the Air Force commander in Iraq would have to seek approval from London.

COMPANION OF MANY FLIGHTS. LONDON, July 7. No mother cared for her babv with greater solicitude than Elliott watched his engine, says the Evening Standard’s aviation correspondent. Elliott went about his job with a auiet smile. He always kept in the background, und did not think of the perils of the trip, because he and Mr Cobham had great mutual faith in each other, and a great personal bond. No two men had flown such distances together. There is sure to be a deep sadness in Mr Cobham’ heart. Elliott was an uncanny mechanician. He regarded the great roaring engine as something human. He could tell from the sound the slightest variation from the normal, and tracked down the cause nerringly. He was the greatest favourite at Stag Lane, to which he came after a long post-war service with the Instone Air Line. He previously had served with distinction with the Royal Air Force. He was unmarried, and leaves a wido ed mother at Hendon, and one brother. BURIAL IN WAR CEMETERY. BASRA, July 7. Elliott was buried in the Makinah Cemetery where thousands of men who lost their lives in war lie. Members of the Air Force carried the coffin and the Force and civil population were largely represented. Dozens of wreaths covered the coffin. “REAPING WHAT WE HAVE SOWN.” LONDON, July 7. The Daily Herald finds Elliott’s death the subject for a leaderette. ‘‘Why did a wandering Arab in Mesopotamia shoot at Mr Cobham’s aeroplane?” it asks. “A young useful life fell a victim to a stray bullet. Why was it discharged? Because the British in Mesopotamia have taught the Arabs to look upon aeroplanes as death-dealing monsters. They nave been used to bomb villagers who have not paid their taxes or have otherwise objected to British rule. They have spread panic and they inflamed the hatred of the Arab who killed poor young Elliott. He doubtless though that the machine was on its way to carry out death and destruction. We are reaping what we have sown.” PROJECT TO BE CONTINUED. LONDON, July 8 The De Haviland Company is sending an engineer to join Mr Cobham, when the flight will be definitely continued. SEARCHING FOR THE CULPRIT. BASRA, July 8. Mr Cobham joined the flight of the Air Force machines to find the spot from which the fatal bullet was fired. They located the place within a mile. Drastic steps are being taken to find the culprit. Air Force machines fly daily over this spot, and have never been fired on. “We flew low near the spot,” states Mr Cobham, “in an endeavour to draw the Arab’s fire, but without any result.” BASRA, July 9. Mr Cobham states there is still a possibility that an air force pilot can be secured locally. It would take Moore a fortnight to arrive, and Mr Cobham, who is anxious to proceed, considers such a delay unwelcome. SHOOTIN '-OF ELLIOTT. BASRA, July 10. A number of arrests have keen made in the vicinity of Homarlake in connection with the snooting of the mechanic Elliott. GETTING READY FOR ANOTHER , START. BASRA July 11. Mr Cobham says that he hopes to resume h« flight in a few days with a mechanic from Basra, loaned by the Royal Air Force. While waiting the final sanc-

tion from headquarters he is engaged cleaning up bis machine after the duet storms and overhauling the metal floats.