The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-04-12
President Cosgrave Is
Last to Wish Germans
GOdspeed on Sea Hop

to be the first to span the Atlantic
Ocean in q westward flight, Capt.
Hermann Koehl, Comandant James
e. Fitzmaurice, and Baron Ehren-
fried Won Huenefeld hoped off
from the BaldonneI airfield for
American in the junkers monoplane
Bremen at 5:3S a. m. today.
Captain Koenl handled the Joy
stick" of the plane at the take-off.
Commander Fitzmaurice. chief of
the Irish Free State airforce, who
was to act as relief pilot. sat next.
to him in the cockpit. Won Huene.
field, who went along as observer,
sat behind them between gas tanks.
While a crowd Of several hum
dred soldiers on the field cheered,
the heavily loaded plane lifted
gracefully from the field after
run of about a half a mile and
headed westward 1t gained alti-
tude steadily and, after few
minutes disappeared from view.
President Cosgrave OF the Irish
Free State shook hands with them
before they entered the plane and
wished them godspocd.
At Dawn. Koehl and his compan.
ions came on the field smiling
broadly and showing little nervous.
ness. Won HuenefeId was happy
a. yOunEster and pointed to the
sun breaking through the clouds,
meanwhile slapping KOehl on the
back.
Plane Is Paraffined
"We will use the northern route"
Captain Koeh1 announced as he,
donned his flying clothes I'VE do
not fear sleet so much now as
weather conditions are perfect and
our plane is completely paraffined.
I think we will get to Mitchell Field
within 80 or 40 hours"
IL they maintain the schedule
they have set for themselves the
fliers should pass Newfoundland
early tomorrow morning and arrive
at Mitchell Field sometime tOmOr.
row afternoon.
KoehI was the first Of the filters
to reach the plane. He tuned 1t up
rapidly and pronounced it perfect.
He carried q German flag when he
took his seat In the cockpit.
F'itZmaurice, carrying an Irish
flag, and Won Huenfeld followed in
order.
Sum Ont In Full Glory
The Bremen was accompanied to
the coast by a small Napier plane
carrying Captain Carol and Lieu.
tenant Russell, Of the Irish Free
State air force.
The. fliers' food supply consisted
Of many sandwiches and strong
coffee and beef tea in thermos
TASKS.
Officials at the field declared that
on no previous flight attempt from
Baldonnel had conditions been more
perfect.
The sun shOne gloriousIy over.
head as the machine disappeared
from view-an omen auguring sue.
cess, T..tchers at the field declared.
There was a moment OF suspense
as the plane was enveIOped i'm a
cloud OF black smoke just before
it took to the air near the end Of
the specially-built runway.
While the planes engine roared
steadily, the Irish tri-coIor broke
out alongside the German flag as
the plane disappeared.
Koehl made his decision to take
the Northern route because Of re.
ports OF bad weather centerinS to
the southwark. He stated that he
expected the plane would average
90 miles an hour on the flight.
Aids Aviation, He Says
Commandant Fitzmaurice was OBJ
viously elated. He made the fol-
lowing statement exclusively to The
international News Service staff
correspondent on the field.
Gas chief of the Irish Free State
air force. am participating in this
flight to further Irish aviation and
aviation in general. Ireland's geo.
graphical position is aII.impOrtant to
the world as far as future aviation
In concerned. hope to be in
America within q few hours and
meet old friends there.
I'VE have a fine machine and
will reach America safely with
decent luck"
London Reports Head Winds
LONDON, April 1.-THE British