An Cosantóir

May 2018

An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.

Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/973701

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An Cosantóir May 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | vEtERAn'S nEWS vEtERAn'S nEWS vEtERAn'S nEWS By AIR CoRPS PRESS oFFICE COL FITZMAURICE AND THE BREMEN FLIGHT REMEMBERED O n the 12th April 1928 a Junkers W33 aircraft named the 'Bre- men' departed Baldonnel Aerodrome bound for North America. On board was the Officer Command- ing the Air Corps Colonel James Fitzmaurice and two German crew- members, Captain Kohl and Baron Von Huenefeld. Some 36 hours later they landed on Greenly Island on the Eastern shores of Canada. This was a truly remarkable achievement given the prevailing winds, the treacherous weather conditions and the multiple previously failed attempts. Colonel Fitzmaurice and the crew of the Bremen were hailed as aviation pioneers and their achievement still stands as one of the greatest chapters in aviation history. Today in Casement Airbase a ceremony was held at the very spot from which the Bremen aircraft departed on its epic voyage. The ceremo- ny included music from the Defence Forces Bands, a tribute from the Artillery Corps and a Guard of Honour. Unfortunately the poor weather did not allow for a fly past. Photos: Sgt Colum Lawlor, Armn Jamie Martin and Armn Emmet Long, 105 Sqn COL JAMES FITZMAURICE REMEMBERED M embers of IUNVA Post 27 Portlaoise are pictured with Lt Col Frank Byrne commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the first transat- lantic aeronautical flight from Europe to North America in Port- laoise on the 12th April 2018. A wreath laying ceremony commemorating the flight by local man Colonel James Fitzmaurice of the Irish Air Corps, took place at the Eitilt monument in Fitzmaurice Place. In attendance were Laois Coun- ty Council, Laois Heritage Soci- ety, the Heritage Council, rep- resentatives of the Irish Air Corps, members of IUNVA Post 27 and Portlaoise CBS, where Col Fitzmaurice attended school. Photos by Martin Rowe

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