TROOPS IN PERIL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1939, Page 8

TROOPS IN PERIL

SNOWBOUND IN ALPS DESPERATE RESCUE EFFORT. USE OF HIGH EXPLOSIVES. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. BERNE March 10. Despite the fact that the party of 72 Swiss soldiers snowed in at the Wildhorn Hut, in the Bernese Alps, sent a semaphore message saying, "We are doomed: Do not waste lives trying to reach us,” army authorities are making a desperate bid to save them. Trench mortars will be carried up the lower slopes on the backs of mules and troops on skis will drag them further. High explosive shells will then be fired against the mountainside in an attempt to dislodge the snow masses and thus clear a downward path from the hut. Another patrol of 15 men is also reported to be snowed in at the Wildstrubel Hut (9000 feet), known as the Mouse Trap because of the difficulty in getting out during snowstorms. Unless the weather clears, there is little hope of their being rescued. 'RESCUERS FORCED BACK. (Received This Day, 9:35 am.) BERNE, March 10. Severe weather has forced the rescuers with explosives to return. ONE PARTY RESCUED BOMB THROWERS RELEASE AVALANCHES. GROUP OF MEN SWEPT DOWN 500 FEET. (Received This Day, 1.10 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. “The Times” Berne correspondent says bomb throwers, by releasing avalanches, liberated the Alpine troops snowed up in the Wildstrubel Hut, but a fresh avalanche swept down five hundred feet, five members of the rear, roped together. Rescuers found them, several with ribs broken, and carried them down by sledge to Lenk. where English tourists and the populace greeted them. The seventy men still imprisoned in the Wildhorn Hut, though lacking food, are attempting the descent on March 11, carrying the bodies of four dead comrades.