PARACHUTE STORIES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21245, 16 October 1940, Page 4

PARACHUTE STORIES

ITALIANS PUSHED OUT SPANISH START REVOLUTION (Times Air Mail Service) LONDON, Aug. 20. Mr F. Calhoun, correspondent in Lisbon of the American journal Life, says the Portuguese claim they always invent the best stories concerning world happenings. He gives some specimens: In each Italian parachute airplane there are 20 men, one pilot, one copilot, one radio operator, one mechanic, one parachutist and fifteen men to push him out. In the German parachute airplanes the parachutists are all called smartly to attention when the airplane is over the designated area. The commander shouts "Heil Hitler!” and before the men can reply the bottom of the airplane is pulled out and they fall out.

“ Objection ” The English parachutists are called Ip attention and told the time has come for them to drop out. One of the parachutists raises his hand and says “ Objection.” He is recognised and asks: “Is the House of Commons in agreement on this matter ” A flurry of checking through papers follows and finally it is confirmed that the House of Commons is in agreement. Again the men are ready to jump when another man shouts: “ Objection. Is the House of Lords in agreement on this matter? ” Paper checking follows, during which j time the airplane gets far off its ! course, but at the final word that j the House of Lords is in agreement 1 the parachutists shout “ The King! ” j and leap. Rational French parachutists ordered to leap from their airplane discover at I the last minute that they have no parachutes, and being rational individuals they land the airplane, go to the nearest cafe and sit around all night arguing about the matter. Spanish parachutists ordered to leap promptly refuse and start a revolution. In the midst of their quarrelling the commander accuses them of being afraid to leap. To prove he is wrong the Spaniards thereupon discard their parachutes and jump out of the airplane without them.