GERMAN AIRMAN

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1932, Page 6

GERMAN AIRMAN

OUTLINES TERRIBLE TRIAL. INTERESTING BROADCAST TALK. WELLINGTON, July 19. All New Zealand and Australia had the, opportunity last night of hearing the voice of Captain Hans Bertram, the German airman, who, with his companion Klaus,emann, ..was, forced down in the wilds of North-western Australia in May and endured terrible hardships before being , rescued. Captain Bertram, broadcasting in' Western Australia, was relayed through all the nation 1 broadcasting network of Australia. In Christchurch reception was marred by heavy bursts of, .static, which- together with Capt.in Bertram’s accent made the remarks difficult to follow.

“I never thought it would be possible to live for seven days without water,” said Captain Bertram, “and I had never thought i’t would he possible. to go without food for forty days, but I know now that it is possible^’ 1 The first food that the airmen; got was .some fish from the native ■who'first found , them. Flies and mosquitoes made life miserable and attacked their eyes. ,//&/

“It is not a nice plate to live,” said Captain Bertram,- “at/least,, 1 know of some better places.

Captain Bertram told of. the joy .lie felt when he saw the native who found them. “When you have been alone so long with no one but a companion who is not all right, you are very happy to see anybody,” he said, in answer to a question as to whether he felt any fear when the native appeared.

Captain Bertram was asked bv the announcer whether he thought that the Astra linn aboriginal was the lowest type of native to be found in the world. “I have a very different opinion.from that,” lie said, and added that' he would always regard the aborigines as his friends. Captain Bertram concluded nmd laughter by declaring that he now felt himself "to be a “dinkum , Aussie.” “Good evening, every!tody,” "he said, “and my heartfelt thanks to you all from the highest Government official to the lowest native boy.”

The announcer, before the relay terminated-, stated that 'there bad been a remarkable scene at the aerodrome that morning whom Captain Bertram arrived by ’plane. Although rain was falling in* torrents thousands of people rushed ; the field <--nd gave Bertram a welcome which compar'd iwi'thi that given' the Southern 1 Cro«s in Sydney some years ago after the trans-Pacific flight.