MISSING AIRMEN

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1932, Page 6

MISSING AIRMEN

FROM JUNKERS PLANE. TRACKS FOUND BY BLACKS. (Australian Press Association.) PERTH, June 13. Information lias been received here from the Drys'dale Mission, in Northwest Australia, that the tracks of*two white men were discovered by native messengers attached to the Mission one hundred miles north-west ot HVyndham. The tracks^r e ’ believed to be those of the crew of the missing German Jlinkers seaplane, namely, Hans Bartrom and his companion, who were not reported after their departure from Koepang for Darwin last month. A cigarette case, on which the initials “5.8.” and (German writing had been scratched with, a nail, also a handkerchief,- were discovered. The tracks were lost on some rocky ridges. A West Australian Airways aeroplane, now located at Wyndham, and a local ground party, have begun a search of the whole of the north-west territory. Native runners carried a letter from Father Cubero to the Wyndham police. The message on the cigarette case has not yet been translated. Father Cubero’s letter said: “I gauge th© time when the articles were dropped to be May 26. Natives have been instructed to ‘search for two men. The possibility of tile airmen surviving is in their favour. Th© country is very rough and mountainous, but there is plenty •of fresh water,..fish and game.”