ONLY FRAGMENTARY NEWS AVAILABLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18442, 18 April 1928, Page 10

ONLY FRAGMENTARY NEWS AVAILABLE.

PRESSMEN UNABLE TO REACH AIRMEN. NEW YORK, April 17. The weather and the isolated position of Greenly Island and the scarcity of means of securing wireless or telegraphic communication with that part of Canada have apparently defeated the much vaunted American efficiency in handling emergency news about the Bremen and its crew. Information about the prospects of their return to civilisation continues to be most fragmentary in character. Interest increases hourly, but efforts to handle the situation seem both spasmodic and ineffective. It is impossible to say from any information here whether repairs can be made to the Bremen at Greenly, or even if the equipment could be brought to Greenly. Owing to the special construction of the Bremen type of aeroplane it is not definitely known w'hat is wanted. It is believed likely that Major Fitzmaurice will continue to Murray Bay, thence to Quebec and on to civilisation. Weather conditions are such that he may be kept for days in the little village of Natashquan, with its little cluster of huts and its fifteen inhabitants. There is no explanation available for Major Fitzmaurice’s anxiety to deliver President Gosgrave’s letter to President Coolidge, without waiting for his companions. A hundred newspaper men as many photographers have been vainly trying to reach Greenly, but as yet no one has been able to transmit direct word from the airmen giving anything like a concise description of their amazing experiences. It may be a week yet, although :t Is hoped that the task- can be accomplished much sooner, before the world can know all it wishes to know concerning the Bremen’s sensational hop.—Australian Press Association. KOEHL’S DARING IN WAR RECALLED. BERLIN, April 17. The newspapers .give prominence to a thrilling episode in Herr Koehl’s wartime career. He was leader of a bombing squadron on the Western front. Single handed he blew up an ammunition dump, but later he was obliged to descend eight miles from Paris, owing to his machine being damaged by antiaircraft gunfire. However he managed to destroy the machine and avoid those hurrying to the scene. For three days he made his way through hostile country, pretending to be an American airman. He was then arrested by a British officer, but escaped by means of a stolen motor-car. —Australian Press Association.