Imperial Valley press., 1928-11-01
Germany Gives
Zeppelin Greeting;
Continued From Page y


to risk landing until everything
was favorable for bringing down
| the huge ship safely. When officials
at the field announced that the
Graf Zeppelin probably would not
attempt a landing until 7 o o'clock,
the spectators brought out flasks Of
coffee, beer and sausage and sat
down for hurried breakfast.
Approximately 5000 persons were
at the airport.
At 5:20 Il. m, the order went out
to the ground crew TO prepare for
/ n landing. Police strung ropes around
thc field to hold back the crowd
and the space in front Of the micro
phone was cleared away.
Forty minutes later the dirigiblc
rc-apprargd over Fricdrichshafcn,
and the throng grew restless when
1t again became apparent that
Eckcncr was not going to attempt
II landing Immediately There had
been no news from the commander
since the Zeppelin arrived, and of
flcials at the field could only sur
mise what Eckcncr intended to do.
One hundred and fifty troops
were ordered from a nearby garrison
to help the police maintain order.
Crowd Orderly
Then Eckcncr began u series of
mancuVcrs. Twice he approached the
field, came low and then headed
away again, unwilling to risk a
landing in the mist that covered
the field. The lack of wind was
handicapping the crew of the dirig-
iblc, for the Graf Zeppelin settled
to earth easier when bucking a
breeze.
The crowd shouted its disappoint-
mcnt as the airship asccndcd again
and headed away without attempt
ing landing.
Then at 6:&1 clock, Eckencr
again pilotcd the ship toward the
hangar. This time he meant busi
rcss, and Immediately began jockey
ing for landing position. The
ground crew of 200 drew closer,
and airport officials placed the red
and white landing signals on the
field
DcSpit" its intense excitement,
the crowd began shouting for beer
and salt herring.
Just then Eckencr found his Ship
in position for which he had been
fighting for almost three hours.
Quickly the motors were throttled
doWn and the nose of the Graf Yep
p"iin settled TO earth as the ground
crew grabbed at its lines. Then the
cabin Of the ship came down easily
and tire ground crew started the
dlrig!ble into the hangar along rails
that had been laid fer that purpose.
Hundreds Of spectators logged
along beside the Graf Zeppelin, toss
ing flowers at the crew. In the cen
ter of the wild confusion valiant
band held its place and alternately
played Deutschland Ubcr Allies >
?rd "The Star Spangled Banner. ="
"lloch, hoch; shouted the
crowd as the Zeppelin was pushed
into the hangar.
Consul Makes Speech
At $40 a. m. the passengers de-
sccrded from the cabin, followed by
: larcnce Torhur", the American
youth who slowed away and peeled
potatoes to earn his passage. A loud
burst of cheering greeted the crew
when they marched cut in their blue
caps and leather jackets, faces
5'aming. Most passengers and mem
hers Of the crew carried small par
cells, apparently souvenirs from the
United States.
American Consul John f. Kchl
made Il brief speech in which he
SAID the flight was an epochal event
hcralding the establishment of bet
ter relations between the United
states and Germany.
Meanwhile, as cameras clicked and
the wives of the crew embraced
their husbands, Eckencr fingered in
the cabin of the dirigiblc making
sure that everything was in good
order before taking a much-nceded
lcSt, Mrs, Eckcner entered the cabin
and greeted her husband but the
commander insisted ON putting his
ship in order before leaving.
Mrs. Eckcner was followed into
the cabin by group of German of
ticials and dignitaries, who greeted
the passengers and congratulated
Eckcnor. Passport officials evident
~ had been ordered to expedite the
inspection of baggage, for there was
no repetition of the delay that oc-
CURED when the Graf Zeppelin land
cd ct Lakchurst.