AIRMEN’S ADVENTURES

Taranaki Daily News, 11 February 1928, Page 15

AIRMEN’S ADVENTURES

WATCHING A SHIP SINK. A terrific struggle against the elements in air adventures hardly less dangerous than among the hostile Turkish population on the ground which caused the crew of the big French bi-motor Georges Guynemer to halt their flight to Indo-China was described recently by Colonel Antoinat, chief of the expedition.

"After we left Rome bound for Athens,” lie said, “we ran into such a storm over the Mediterranean that we were blown completely off our course, and we hadn't the slightest idea of our position. We encountered during the storm such incredible weather that one of the pilots fell unconscious from the cold while at the controls.

“In fogs we failed to locate Athens, and, continuing without knowledge of our whereabouts for twenty-six hours, when the gasoline supply was nearing exhausion, landed at Adalia, Turkey. “We were immediately placed under arrest by the Turkish authorities upon the false charge that we had flown over Smyrna. Only the strongest representations by the French Consular officials obtained our release.

“Fearing further difficulties we set out despite a severe storm, which increased in violence to such an extent that we feared our plane would be torn to pieces. While we were flying low above the sea in a hurricane we witnessed the dreadful spectacle of a small steamer which foundered and disappeared under the waves before our eyes while we were powerless to assist the drowning crew.

“A short time afterward one of the stays of the left wing gave way. With the plane thus crippled we somehow managed to fly only a few meters above the spray of the enormous seas for several miles, and succeeded in making a landing at Mersine. “No sooner were we aground, however, than we were surrounded by a howling mob of hostile peasants, who brandished clubs, shouted insults, and even assaulted two of my aviators. They refused to let us have either food or drink.

“I left the crew attempting to guard the plane, succeeded in getting from the field into Mersine, and through the Consul obtained orders from the authorities to send police for our protecttion. When we arrived at the field the mob already had seriously damaged the plane and were preparing to set fire to it.

“My men were nearly dead from fatigue and hunger, but we were obliged to make emergency repairs and take off. Again stormy weather forced us to land at Alexandretta, and next day a storm forced us down at Rajak. It is a miracle the plane survived, such weather as we encountered.”

Colonel Antoinat said repairs would be made immediately, and he expected to continue his flight to the Orient at the first full moon in January.