Herculean Task To Recover Bodies Of Airmen

Chronicle (Levin), 9 December 1948, Page 7

Herculean Task To Recover Bodies Of Airmen

WAIPUKURAU, Dec. 7. There are serious diffieulties - in the way of recovering the bodies of the three airmen killed when the Oxford aircfaft crashed in the heart of the Ruahine Range.s. "The diffieulties seem to be insur niountable, " said n police officer tonight. "llowever, every endeavour is being made. Nothing is being left undone. The operation is contiuuing, but may take longer tliun was expected." The six paelc horses taken up to Howlett's Hut higli on the ranges on Mondav morning arrived exhausted after a terrifie struggle ujj the 2500ft t'ace of Black Range rising almost sheer out of the Tukitulci River. Witli 110 slielter available for the horses, it was feared that they would die of exposure at that altitude. There was uo alternative but to take them back to the foot of the range immediately. •Slipping on the treacherous faces and utterlv exhausted the horses were brought down Black Rango in darkness last night. The horses provided valu able service in taking supplies and equipment to Ilowlett's Hut.

The intense pliysical strain is taking its tolljof members of the parties operating from Thomson 's Mill. Replacements are becoming neeessary and there is serious danger to men operating under exceptionally liazardous con--ditions. Loeal farmers are giving valuable help in the operation, partieularly in liandling the horses. The prineipal cl earing base for operations, Thoinsen 's Mill, has liecome a seene of great activity this week, with police, Arm\ and Air Force units worldng in the area. The clearing of a patli through the tougli , unyielding leatherwood scrub which thickly covers the steep ridges between Howlett's Hut and the scene of the wreek is a major difficulty. A man can become exhausted after forcing his way thro-igh 100 vards of this si.rub, and getting down into the steep raviue . which. encompasses tlie wreckage is a severe test of stamin.n for Ihe very fitlesl.