AFGHAN ROYALTY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1928, Page 1

AFGHAN ROYALTY

air force display. TRIP IN SUBMARINE. RUGBY, March 18. The King and Queen of Afghanistan witnessed a stirring display of military aviation at Hendon Aerodrome yesterday morning. Over 100 machines with picked pilots took part. King Amanullah, with Sir Francis Humphreys, British Minister at Kabul at iiis side interpreting, was greatly impressed. His .Majesty wore the uniform of the Royal Afghan Air Force, with gold closed swords below gold wings on bis breast. Queen S<'nriya sat beside Humphreys, who interpreted for her, and Lady Maud Home, wife of the Air Minister. Sir Samuel Home. Air Marsl.a! Sir Hugh Treiu hard and Air Marshal Sir John Snlmond were with the Royal party. The item which pleased King Vniauulluh more than anything else was a thrillig display of aerobatic* by two daring young pilots. Gray and Barlow. With perfect grace and rhythm they went through a series of sky-spinning upwards, which is one of the most difficult, aerobatic feats, and falling disMsl.v to a low altitude, whence they swooped up again over King Amanullah’s head. A flight of great bombers rose with a roar and climbed to a dizzy, height and then dropped almost perpendicularly to within about 50 feet of the ground and loosed their slnoke bombs on a dummy camp, which quickly burst into flames and was reduced to ashes. The King was much impressed by the fact, that every single bomb hit its mark. King Amanullah will create a precedent to-morrow, when he makes a 20 miles cruise in the .submarine 1.22, which for a considerable part of the time will travel under water. He Will experience the thrill of torpeding a British battleship and will be the only monarch who lias ever made a submarine trip under what will be very largely service conditions. Among the escorting vessels will be the minesweeper Arlcsford, from the deck of which Queen Souriya will watch the progress of L 22. in order that she may better follow the manoevres of the submarine, it will submerge only to a depth of about 25 feet so that its periscope will be visible above the surface of tile sea. L 22. which is commanded by Lieu-tenant-Commander Stephens, is one of the finest of her class. She is 238 feet long and carries a crew of 40. Her armament consists of a quick-firing gun and four torpedo tubes. Rear-Admiral H. F.. Grace Rear-Ad-miral of submarines, will be present in order to explain to King Amanullah the various manoeuvres.

When L 22 leaves harliour she will fly the Afghan standard and royal salutes will be fired. King Amanullah will acknowledge the salutes from his position in the conning tower, where he will remain until the submarine reaches Stokes Bay, when he will descend in to the interior ol the boat- in preparation for its .submersion. Then will come the most exciting incident. King Amanullah will be conducted to tlie bows of L 22, where her torpedo tubes are situated. Into one of these a I wenty-ono inch torpedo with a dummy head wil be loaded and the King will fire at) the battleship Ross, the whole practice beig carried out as in actual warfare.

AFGHAN KING ON SUBMARINE. LONDON, March 19. King Amanullah following a visit to i-I.M.S. Victory and H..M.K. Tiger journeyed from Portsmouth in submaiine L 22 and fired two dummy torpedoes. It had been arranged that the submarine should not be submerged below the periscope, but King Amanullah twice requested that it should he completely submerged and eventually in compliance with his wishes the order was cancelled and L 22 submerged for half an hour. The Queen, who was in an accompanying sloop, and unaware of the arrangement, gave a gasp of dismay, hut was quickly reassured.