Hans Bertram's Flight to Hell
Hans Bertram (pilot), Thom (co-pilot), Adolph Klausmann (mechanic) and von Lagorio
(cameraman) departed in their Junkers W-33D (float configuration) from Cologne, Germany on
their round-the-world flight. On this flight they intended to visit German communities along
their path and to find potential markets for Germany's aviation industry.
Other than a forced landing at Porto Fossone, Italy because of blinding snow and motor
trouble, their flight proceeded as planned until they reached Syria. Over the desert they went
into a sand storm which clogged their carborator forcing them to land. In Cocanada, India to
make the plane lighter co-pilot, Thom left the flight proceeding by rail and boat to meet them
in Batavia, Indonesia. They met but it was further decided that Thom and von Lagorio would
travel separately meeting them in Shanghai, China. Bertram and Klausmann would continue their
flight together. They had their engine overhauled in the Dutch naval aerodrome,
Moro-Krembangan in Soeeabaja, Indonesia. They refueled in Kupang heading for Port Darwin on
the northwest coast of Australia. They flew into a violent storm finding it impossible to
determine wind direction. Finally, with low fuel they were forced to land on the remote
coastline on the northwest of Australia. They had little water and no food. Since there was no
offical record of their flight, no search party was initially organized. They were on their
own after their routine water crossing had become "a flight to hell."
Finally, on June 23, 1932 they were rescued by a search party. They were taken to Perth,
Australia for recuperation. Klausmann returned to Germany by steamer never fully recovering
from his ordeal. Bertram had the plane repaired, removed the floats and for 4 1/2 months flew
around Australia visiting several cities. On April 17, 1933 he returned to Berlin to a
tumultuous welcome. His round-the-world flight would never be completed. He died at 87 in
1993.
Itinerary:
Departed Cologne, Germany 02/29/32
Friedrickshafen, Germany 03/05/32
Lugano, Italy
Porto Fossone, Italy (forced landing) 03/07/32
Venice, Italy 03/08/32
Brindisi, Italy
Athens, Greece 03/11/32
Castellorisso, Greece
Alexandretta, Turkey
Deir-ez Zor, Syria (forced landing) 03/18/32
Baghdad, Iraq
El Khidr, Iraq
Basra, Iraq 03/23/32
Bushire, Iran 03/24/32
Gwadar, Pakistan
Karachi, Pakistan 03/26/32
Bombay, India 03/29/32
Mangalorre, India 03/31/32
Cochin, India
Colombo, Ceylon 04/02/32
Negombo, India
Pondicheri, India
Madras, India 04/08/32
Cocanada, India
Calcutta, India 04/10/32
Akyab, Burma 04/15/32
Rangoon, Burma 04/16/32
Bangkok, Thailand 04/22/32
Victoria Point, Malaya
Penang, Malaya 04/24/32
Singapore 04/28/32
Palembang, Indonesia 05/01/32
Batavia (Djakarta), Indonesia 05/02/32
Soerabaja, Indonesia 05/07/32
Bima, Indonesia 05/12/32
Kupang, Timor 05/14/32
NW Australia coast (forced landing) 05/15/32
