AIRMAN ON A RAFT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1918, Page 7

AIRMAN ON A RAFT.

THRILLING EXPERIENCES. One of the most thrilling escapades in the annals of the Royal Naval Air Service is that of Flight-Commander Edwin Rowland Moon, D.5.0., of Southampton, who was officially reported early this year to have BEeh killed in action in German East Africa. Later it was ascertained that he had been taken prisoner by the Germans.

It appears that the scene of the adventure was the Rußgi Delta, and the seaplane carrying Commander Bridgeman and Flight-Commander Moon was forced to land owing to magneto failure. Having ascertained that the damage was not repairable, the two officers proceeded to burn the machine in order to get away from an enemy party which might have seen them land.

Moon swam the stream, which was swarming with crocodiles, with a view to finding a boat, but his quest failed, as did a fresh attempt next day. Apart from cocoanuts the officers had had nothing to eat or drink since leaving their station at nightfall.

After much wandering they discovered an empty house, and by removing the window-frame roughly constructed a raft,

By the evening of the third day both officers were completely exhausted, and Bridgman was practicably insensible. In his anxiety Moon failed to stem the tide, and the raft was carried out to- sea. A strong north-westerly wind increased his difficulties.

The raft became partially water-logged nnd Moon had the terrible task of keeping himself afloat on the raft and also supporting Bridgman in his arms to keep his head out of the water. Again and again Bridgman was washed off the raft and was rescued by Moon, but finally he died of exhaustion or exposure. During the fourth afternoon tfie raft was drifted back by the tide, and Moon managed to regain the land. There Moon collapsed, and could onlv point to his mouth to signify he wanted food. He soon recovered and is now quite well.