FLIGHT THRILLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 331, 17 April 1928, Page 9

FLIGHT THRILLS

AIRSHIP ITALIA DOWN LANDS IN GERMANY RAN INTO HEAVY STORMS (United P. A. —By Telegraph—Copprigh I j Australian Press Asstn iatio* > Reed. Noon. BERLIN. Monday The airship Italia has landed at Seddm, in Pomerani*. North Ge r many, after a thrilling 30 hours' flight from Milan. General Nobile was tired. but cheerful. He said it was an eventful voyage in most adverse weather, especially over the Carpathian ?nd Silesian mountains. The airmen lost their bearings ox or the latter, but were set right by the Lindenberg Observatory and wireless station. The weather improved at Gleiwitz. after which the journey was uneventful. General Humberto Nobile's first flight in his great Arctic adventure is perhaps as thrilling as any he is likely to make in the Polar regions. At the start of the flight from Milan he was officialy informed that the weather was suitable. He had barely crossed the Alps, when heavy clouds appeared, and freezing head-on gales shook the airship from stem to stem. She ploughed her way through the darkness, in conditions that became steadily worse, until over the Western Carpathians thunderstorm succeeded thunderstorm. HEAVY SNOWSTORMS Severe electric tension disturbed the navigating instruments and wireless equipment. Then the Italia ran into heavy snowstorms. There was considerable confusion aboard as to their exact location. While the Italia was battling through the storm, a fin broke off. and the canvas was tore in several places. The right-hand motor developed trouble, reducing the speed to 30 miles an hour. The airmen had considerable difficulty in landing, owing to the brokeu fin. General Nobile surprised the bystanders by stepping out in a most gorgeous general's uniform, in striking contrast to his travel-stained and oil-begrimed companions.