AIR DISASTER

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21191, 14 August 1940, Page 8

AIR DISASTER

TEN PEOPLE DEAD STATESMEN AND SOLDIERS ALL BURNED TO DEATH (Ur.TCoo Press Assn.—Eloc. Tel. Copyright) CANBERRA, August 13 Three Federal Ministers, two high Army officers and five others were killed near Canberra today in an appalling air disaster. All the 10 people in the aeroplane were burned to death, as the fierce flames drove off the rescuers. The victims were:— The Hon. G. A. Street, Minister of the Army. The Hon. J. V. Fairbairn, Minister of Air. The Hon. Sir Henry Gullett, Vice-President of the Executive Council. Lieutenant-General Sir Brudenell White, Chief of the Australian General Staff. Lieutenant - Colonel Francis Thornthwaite, of Army Headquarters. Mr R. E. Elford, private secretary to Mr Fairbairn. Flight-Lieutenant R. Hitchcock. Pilot-Officer R. Wiesner. Corporal J. Palmer, wireless operator. Aircraftsman C. Crosdale. The aeroplane, which had flown from Melbourne to Canberra, was seen to circle the Canberra aerodrome and then rise again. It dipped suddenly and went into a spin behind

a hill. Then an explosion was heard and a great sheet of flame shot into the air, followed by a dense cloud of smoke. An emergency squad from the Canberra Royal Australian Air Force squadron left for the scene. It had to cross rough country for a mile, and when it arrived the aeroplane was burning fiercely. It was impossible to approach within 50 yards. When the flames died down it could be seen that the entire under-car-riage, wings, and structural supports of the aeroplane had been ripped away. The charred bodies could be seen in the wreckage. They were not recognisable when withdrawn. Went Into a Spin Flying conditions were ideal when the accident occurred at Canberra today. The machine seemed to be functioning perfectly as it circled the aerodrome. It was at an altitude of about 400 ft. when it went into a spin and was almost vertical when it disappeared from view behind the hill. The turn-away from the aerodrome which preceded the crash has mysti-

fled those who saw it, as it appeared to be completely unnecessary. Two other Ministers, Mr G. McLeay, Minister of Trade and Customs, and Mr A. Fadden, Minister without portfolio, had been invited to travel in the aeroplane, but had declined. Consternation was created in Canberra when the news of the deaths of the three Ministers and their com-' panions was confirmed. The Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, said it was a great national calamity, the significance of which it was not yet possible fully to realise. Men of Intense Loyalty It was a most grievous personal loss, Mr Menzies said. Each man was doing important war service. Each of his Cabinet colleagues was a man of character and intense loyalty. The Prime Minister added that Lieutenant-General Sir Brudenell

White was Australia’s most gifted soldier. He was full of wisdom and experience. In order to prevent premature announcements reaching the wives and relatives of those killed, the Government, through the censorship, withheld for some time permission for the news to be published.