RUSSIA REJOICES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20280, 14 April 1934, Page 1

RUSSIA REJOICES.

Honours Showered Upon Airmen. RESCUE OF CASTAWAYS. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received April tf, 11.30 a.m.) MOSCOW, April 13 Three aeroplanes rescued the last six of the Cheliuskin’s party, and also the last of the dogs. • The rescue of the last six of the Cheliuskin’s survivors caused general rejoicing in Russia, the rescuers receiving thousands of telegrams of congratulations. The special title of Hero of the Soviet Union is being instituted to mark the occasion and the Order of Lenin is also being conferred on the airmen, together with a bonus equal to one year’s pay. The honour df the Red Star is also being granted to the Cheliuskin castaways. Aeroplanes have accomplished the rescue of 103 persons, who otherwise would now be facing certain death. The Cheliuskin, a Soviet ice-breaker engaged on a scientific mission, was crushed in the ice, and its complement of 103, including some women and children, were forced to camp on the ice whilst awaiting rescue. Bad weather delayed the arrival of the planes until the ice had begun to break up, and consequently a landing was made difficult. The flyers, however, with remarkable daring and resource, brought their machines down on the rough ice repeatedly, and took off the party, in some cases tying them on the wings of their small planes. Yesterday it was reported that only six remained upon the ice.