LOST IN FOG

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1932, Page 6

LOST IN FOG

PLANES’ PREDICAMENT

SAN Diego, November 3

A thrilling drama was played in the air licre when twenty-two (j.S. Navy, aeroplanes were “stranded* aloft” by a sudden fog. Happily it ended without loss of life, though the lov,s of maclimes was serious.

Roiling in from the Pacific, the' fog enve l >ped all Southern California.. The land was blotted out before the pilots realised what had happened, and for liours they , ire led aimlessly,, with their petrol supplies steadily dimishirigv Finally all landed without any fatalities, though five ’planes were smashed- up or burnt ;

• Naval officials quickly broadcast a pica, • and the citizens ranged their lighted motor-cars in huge circles' around the 'landing fields Several ’planes were thus enabled successfully to descend.

At last tlio night mail ’plane from Los Angeles, equipped with a radiotelephone, arrived. It circled the city until- its pilot picked up the three last remaining Navy ’planes. Signalling'them, “Follow me!” with liis cabin lights he led them safely earthward, amid the cheering of thousands of anxious citizens.