SOLDIERS LOST

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21367, 11 March 1941, Page 2

SOLDIERS LOST

RUAPEHU ADVENTURE FOUND NEXT DAY (By Telegraph.—press Association) WANGANUI, Monday Two soldiers from Waiouru camp who were reported missing on Mount Ruapehu last night were found late today safe and well by a search party in rough country of the upper reaches of the Whakapapa-iti Gorge, on the western slopes of the mountain. Caught in mist on Ruapehu last evening after separating from a party rivates Eric Louis Russell, of Wellington, and Eric Mervyn Carlsen, of Masterton, lost their way in the bush and strayed down the Whakapapaiti Gorge. A companion, Private Barry Charles Ritzema, of Silverstream, left the other two on the Waikato Glacier on Ruapehu and found his way down safely on to the desert road, where he was picked up about 11 o’clock last night by a passing lorry and taken to Rangipo Prison camp. About 70 men from Waiouru military camp visited the Chateau yesterday and the majority began to climb Ruapehu. Russell, Carlsen and Ritzema were not missed until preparations were being made at 10 p.m. for the return trip by bus to Waiouru. Guides Johnston and Forbes were sent up the mountain in an endeavour to locate the missing men, but a thick mist hampered the search and they returned to the Chateau at two o’clock this morning. Further search parties went out today. One group found the missing men about five o’clock this afternoon and returned to the Chateau. It is expected that the remainder of the searchers will spend tonight on the mountain and return to the Chateau tomorrow morning. They are well prepared for any emergency.