ACTOR-AIRMAN'S PLIGHT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160639, 4 May 1920, Page 6

ACTOR-AIRMAN'S PLIGHT.

HOW HE BLUFFED THE GERMANS

Colonel Eobert Loiaine, the adtorairman, reached London recently after his adventurous flight from Switzerland, looking bronzed and well. The colonel told the story of his adventures to a Press Association representative. It had been his intention to fly from Sit. Moritz direct to Hounslow, but, losing his way, and running short of petrol, he was compelled to make a descent near vhe garrison town of Marburg, in the heart of Prussia. “After waving a good-bye to Sir Hall Caine at St. Moritz,” said Colonel Loraine, “and piloted by the wellknown Swiss pilot, Comte, we flew to Zurich in an hour and a half, the mountain effect being simply indescribable. At Zurich we filled our petrol tanks, and started for Hounslow, but troubles soon came upon us. A very thick fog came along, and, after flying for nearly six hours, our petrol ran out, and we were compelled to descend. We found ourselves in the garrison town of Marburg, in the heart of Pruasifc.

“Our reception was none too cordial, but as I wanted to get out of the place as quickly as possible, I told the crowd I was Swiss. Our machine, curiously enough, was of German make, but there were little Union Jacks painted on the sides, and these the crowd pointed out. ‘Oh, that is just a little compliment to London, where I am going,’ I told them, and that seemed to satisfy them, and eventually we succeeded in getting some spirit benzine, a low-grade petrol, butt it answered our purpose. Had I told the crowd I was an Englishman. I think they would have wrecked the machine.”

Colonel Loraine added that he would strongly urge everybody in this country in a position to do so to make any kind of a long distance journey by air. “Not only is it 'the pleasantest, most rapid, and agreeable form of travel," said Colonel Loraine, “but if this country does net take advantage of its opportunities now, it will be left absolutely at the mercy of a country like Germany, who can foresee the vital importance --of cultivating and encouraging civil aviation.”