BYRD EXPEDITION

Southland Times, Issue 22293, 7 April 1934, Page 5

BYRD EXPEDITION

REPORT ON PROGRESS DIFFICULT CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED AERIAL EXPLORATION (United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) New York, April 5. Commander Gjertsen returned from New Zealand to-day bringing the first personal information of Rear-Admiral Byrd’s headquarters here and of the progress of the expedition prior to his departure with the Jacob Ruppert from Little America. He described the difficulties experienced in unloading supplies at the ice barrier and aerial explorations that proved that an area of some 200,000 square miles between King Edward VII Land and Graham’s Land was an ice-covered ocean. He said that when he saw Rear-Admiral Byrd on February 6 the latter was in splendid physical condition. “It is just as well,” said Commander Gjertsen, “because seven months’ isolation in a small hut at the advanced base calls for great physical resistance as well as undaunted courage which the admiral possesses.” Commander Gjertsen is proceeding home to Norway for a vacation and is returning to Little America in the autumn to evacuate the expedition.