FORCED LANDING IN FOREST

Southland Times, Issue 24888, 30 October 1942, Page 6

FORCED LANDING IN FOREST

NATIVES HELP AIRMEN (Special WELLINGTON, October 29. One of the most startling experiences of a Welington member of the Royal Air Force has been related in a letter recently received in New Zealand. With others he was commissioned to take a certain class of plane from the country of its production to another field of war activity. On the way over Africa, flying at between 20,000 and 30,000 feet, he encountered an electrical storm which put his compass and every electrical instrument out of commission. In consequence he had to fly blind for over 5J hours. At last, knowing that he had lost his way to the next aerodrome, and was nearing the end of his petrol supplies, he descended. A rough forest-clad country frowned up menacingly. He at length spotted a clearing in the forest and, taking a chance, went down. As it turned out the ground was fairly even. The plane made a good landing, little material damage was done, and no one was hurt. The airmen had not been long on the ground when black-skinned natives appeared out of the forest, menacing them with spears. By signs the airmen intimated that they came in peace and the natives indicated that there were white men not far away. They brought forward some wild-looking ponies, on which were peculiar wooden saddles. On these animals, over bumpy, wellforested country, they rode for five hours. At last to their surprise they came on a camp of Royal Air Force men, to whom they explained their predicament. In due course, after resting, they and a party of natives repaired to the scene of the forced landing. The natives were put to work to fell trees and make a runway, and, in under four days, they accomplished this heavy task. The plane, after being refuelled, was soon in the air and landed at a well-equipped aerodrome, where the Royal Air Force members were stationed.