Roald Amundsen and Umberto Nobile
 Roald Amundsen )) Airship "Norge"  Umberto Nobile)) The Latham crew |
Roald Amundsen was born in Borge, Norway, in 1872. He attained a world-wide reputation as one of the greatest polar explorers of his time and lived a life full of adventure. Driven by a strong ego, a persistent curiosity and a particular propensity for excitement, he turned into reality what others only dreamt about. It was his restless and ambitious personality that drove Amundsen to some of the most remote places on earth: He was the first to cross the Northwest Passage, he won the famous race to the South Pole against Robert F. Scott, and he was a leading member of the crew that accomplished the pioneer flight in an airship across the North Pole. His achievements were celebrated around the world, and his deeds helped strengthen Norwegian pride and self confidence at the beginning of the 20th century. The whole country grieved when word spread in June 1928, that the nation’s hero had disappeared on a mission to save his former comrade and later rival, the Italian general Umberto Nobile.
Born in 1885, Umberto Nobile was also a renowned aeronautical engineer. He developed and promoted the semi rigid airships, and he also designed the airship Norge. With the Norge, Nobile and Amundsen, together with the American industrialist Lincoln Ellsworth, departed on a mission that would originate a conflict with tragic consequences. It was the first really confirmed flight over the North Pole and the Arctic Ocean. In 1926, the spectacular trip made headlines around the world. But it was overshadowed by a bitter fight that followed it, since a dispute arose between Nobile and Amundsen as both claimed credit for leading the expedition. The argument ended with a mutual animosity. Mussolini, then Italy’s self-appointed “head of government”, was eager to restore his country’s pride. In 1928, Nobile was sent back to the Pole; this time on an airship unequivocally called Italia. The Italia however, crashed dramatically, killing several members of the crew. Nobile was lucky and survived, but together with others he was trapped on the ice. Despite their ongoing conflict, Amundsen decided to join the rescue mission that was initiated in the wake of the crash. The French government provided the Norwegian polar hero with an aircraft, the prestigious Latham 47. This twin-engine flying boat was designed and built by Société Latham & Cié for the French Navy. It was constructed to demonstrate aeronautical supremacy. The French government did not hesitate to offer it to renowned Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen. Six men were on board Latham 47. The French crew members were led by Captain René Guilbaud, an experienced pilot in the French Naval Air Force and World War I hero. The French were well qualified for the task, although they lacked training in Arctic operations. But Amundsen’s participation along with that of navy pilot Leif Ragnar Dietrichson seemed to compensate for the French aviators’ lack of experience. Yet for some mysterious reason, before the flight, the French aviators confessed they felt a sense of doom about the mission and that they were afraid they would not return. Unfortunately, their presentiment was fulfilled. On June 18th, 1928 Amundsen and the French team members left for the rescue of the Italia crew. At about 4 p.m. they took off from Tromsø, Norway. None of the transmissions mentioned technical difficulties, which implied that the flight was progressing as planned. However, the transmission did reveal difficulties with the radio. In the late 1920s, this was quite common. It is assumed that the accident took place somewhere in the area around Bear Island. Between 6.45 and 6.55 p.m., the last radio call was sent from Latham 47 and from that point on the connection fell silent forever. Umberto Nobile and most of his men, on the other hand, were eventually saved. Nobile died in 1978 at the age of 93. What happened that day in June 1928 that caused Amundsen and his companions never to return? Was it the weather or a technical problem on board? Or was it in the end human error? The expedition was only given two days to prepare. Whatever it was, the answer will not be satisfied until the Latham 47 aircraft is found. |
