GERMANS DARE ATLANTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 328, 13 April 1928, Page 11

GERMANS DARE ATLANTIC

Bremen Off For America PREPARATION MOST THOROUGH Berlin Experts’ Gloomy View UNDISMAYED by the fate of earlier east-to-west challengers of the Atlantic, the men of the monoplane Bremen have set out from Ireland to attempt conquest where all others have failed. The plane was expected to reach Newfoundland at midnight, and New York at noon to-day. (United P. A.—By Telegraph — Copyright.) (Australian P.A.—United Service)

Reed. Noon. LONDON, Thursday. The two Germans, Herr Koehl (pilot) and Baron Gunther von Huehnefeld, accompanied by Commandant Fitzmaurice, Chief of the Irish Free State Air Force, left the Baldonnel Airdrome in the monoplane Bremen at 5.30 this morning, on their transatlantic flight. The Bremen’s departure followed 17 days of ceaseless watch and careful scanning of weather reports. Such a minute attention to detail has, perhaps, not been reached in any prevj» ous West to East transatlantic venture. The characteristic German thoroughness throughout and businesslike final touches all suggest that the adventure has the best possible chance of success. The only criticism is the absence of wireless and a collapsible boat, but the Germans are banking everything on their machine remaining in the air. The wings are specially stowed with petrol, also there are balloonets for buoyancy. The Bremen carries a 45-hours’ supply of petrol, and the flyers calculate to reach their destination m 36 hours. Believing that all West to East tragedies were due to snow and ice settling on the wings, they have made special arrangements electrically to heat the wings of the plane. In a message prior to the departure of the party. Commandant Fitzmaurice said: “In view of the geographical position of Ireland in reference to future air transport, it is appropriate that she should be associated with the present flight. The discouraging criticism of the effort could be answered by the simple statement that every success requires a certain amount of risk. “By the time this is published we shall be 100 miles from the Irish coast. God willing, 30 hours after that we shall reach New York and claim the conquest of the Atlantic westwards.” The Bremen took off in the presence of the President of the Dail, Mr. W. T. Cosgrave, the. German Consul, and 500 spectators. Herr Koehl said everything favoured their success. The Atlantic weather report was excellent. They would take the great north circle route. The Bremen passed over Galway at 7.5 a.m., flying strongly, and was last seen at Castleho, 20 miles west of Galway. The visibility was then bad.

A large crowd is expected to gather. Major Reynolds, commandant of the field, will take the airmen to his home. The weather reports are variable. Washington and Halifax are unfavourable, and St. John’s, Newfoundland, favourable. The Bremen was not reported by Thursday afternoon. She is expepted to reach Newfoundland at midnight, and New York at noon on Friday- The wind conditions are believed to be favourable. but the temperature is freezing in the vicinity of Newfoundland. GERMAN PRESS CRITICAL “FOOLHARDY VENTURE” MRS. KOEHL CONFIDENT (Australian Press Association) Reed. 2.10 p.m. BERLIN, Tliurs. Aviation experts take rather a gloomy view of the Bremen’s venture. The majority of the German newspapers maintain their former attitude, describing the attempt as foolhardy. Even if it succeeds, it is merely a sporting feat of daring. There should be no further transatlantic aviation. The “Tages Zeitung” alone extends unreserved praise, and says that daring is born of an idealistic spirit, in contradistinction to the materialistic conception of the age. Mrs. Koehl said: “The courage and enterprise of the fliers are well known. The flight must be a success. The only thing now is to wait and pray. I know my husband will succeed.” Herr Koehl is a Bavarian, 40 years of age. When he was informed that the Lufthansa had dismissed him because of his undertaking the flight, he said, “What does that mean? Consider the position. If I reach the other side, I believe I may manage without my employers. If I come down, losing my job won’t be the chief ot my worries.” Baron von Huenfeld is a member of an old Prussian family. He was formerly intimate with the ex-Crown Prince. PERFECTLY AIRWORTHY (Australian Press Association) Reed. 1 p.m. LONDON, Thursday. Although a few hours after the departure there were somewhat alarming weather reports from America, the value of the Germans’ information was confirmed by wireless by the liner Majestic, 500 miles from England, which reported perfectly clear weather and sunshine, with wind negligible. In the afternoon a report from Baldonnel said the Bremen was seen 880 miles due west of Ireland, steering a dead coursd for America. The perfect airworthiness of the machine can be seen from the fact that despite her five tons deadweight and a slight head wind, she averaged 95 miles an hour in the first 90 minutes. Although she needed most of the long runway of 3,800 yards, and bumped slightly following the first take-off, she rose rapidly and settled down to a steady speed.