Otto Herold Whilst Making Adjustments - photo by Nigel A. JAMES
Destination Unknown
It was the 21st of December 1975; it was going to be a wonderful Christmas. The snow, combined with the smells of roasting chestnuts and Glühweine, had put Vienna in a super Advent mood, and, with only 3 more days to go, the city was revving up for its last minute holiday rush! And then it happened. An event so serious, that, as Austria struggled to come to grips with the enormity of the situation, the rest of the world looked hopelessly on! The notorious terrorist, Carlos, with a band of Palestinian and German accomplices had taken over the OPEC council of minister’s meeting and were holding OPEC staff and 11 oil ministers hostage; and, one of them was the most powerful of all, Sheik Yamane of Saudi Arabia! A blood bath, it seemed, was about unfold!
With 4 already dead, the Austrian government was not about to, nor could it, take any chances, so, bearing in mind the importance of life, all of the terrorist’s demands, including a message read at 2 hourly intervals on the radio, and a plane to take them to freedom were agreed. But of course, a plane needs a crew!
Otto Herold was a young co-pilot with Austrian Airlines at the time, and, when the call for volunteers came he needed just a quick thirty minutes! If he were to be needed, he would be the one for the cock-pit! And so it was, on the morning of the 22nd December, 1975, Otto Herold and captain Manfred Pollak were ready and waiting in their fully fuelled Austrian Airline’s DC9, and ready to go to “destination unknown”.
The passengers, both terrorists and hostages, boarded, and all went off very well. The two pilots experienced no real problems, but, there is, however, one small thing that still sticks out in Otto Herold’s mind. Because there were no hostesses on board, Otto volunteered to serve the passengers with coffee. This was no problem, and, all on board were thankful for the refreshment; that is to say, all except one! One of the hostages, an oil minister, rudely rejected the offer of coffee, and whilst pushing the coffee angrily away, demanded a tea! Unfortunately, he, too, had to make do with coffee. The crux, however, came when Otto went to collect the dirty cups. One of the terrorists, a Palestinian, stopped him, and, instead, forced the now “non too happy” complaining and demanding minister to clear up the dirties! There were no more passenger complaints for the rest of the flight!
The trip came to an end in Algiers where the last of the hostages were released. Carlos and his gang then disappeared, and Otto and Captain Herold were then flown back to a sad and very much shocked Vienna. And Christmas?
That year it was different. It was more an occasion of relief mixed with sorrow. People had been killed, and Austria, a small central European peace loving country, had been wounded. “Why us” was everyone’s question.
And Captain Pollok and Otto Herold? Volunteering for what they did was a very brave act, and both were subsequently decorated for their courage. Of course, both continued flying and Otto Herold was promoted to captain. But, captains can never stop flying!
Now, happily in retirement, Otto Herold is still very much behind the controls, and his fleet of model planes is impressive. However, no models can replace the Viscounts, the DC 9s or the airbuses which he once flew, but, flying is flying and the take-offs and landings, just like life, are still just as exciting as then!
Nj.
Markus Tripolt
Short
Blooming Beauty
There's an
artist in Vienna who is making quite a stir with his work. His name
is Markus Tripolt and he's a Fasadler. And his work not only adds
colour and fun to colourless buildings, it is also makes memories as
well, for it is the unusual that hardens like concrete in minds!
And, what
Markus is doing goes back a very long way; in fact, more than 25
years. Markus was a decorator, and he was good. But then he
discovered his feelings for what now has become his main-stay in
life. And that which he does can only be compared to the beauty of
flowers. Both are temporary. And his latest work, the colouring of
a derelict service station in Hietzing, a district of Vienna, is a
perfect example of the short livedness of most of his work. The
service station is about to be demolished, meaning, his work will
never grow old, in fact, it will never see more than four or five
weeks!
But,
Markus's work is social as well. All of his projects involve young
unemployed people. And, what he does is amazing. He not only
provides young people with a valuable insight into art, he gives them
much needed hands on experience as well. Each project involves art
tuition and discussion; meaning a new insight into a world, that was,
in most cases, not fully understood and appreciated. And, just as
importantly, a new view of becoming a craftsman or woman. Two new
directions in one! But, neighbourhoods, too, have feelings.
Markus's
projects are guaranteed to awaken the slumbering feelings of all
those nearby. Whilst commercial colour in the form of uninteresting
supermarkets is accepted without question, art in the form of painted
about to be demolished buildings is often considered as suspect. Art
is something else! But, in the case of the service station in
Hietzing, opinions are remarkably positive.
But, of
course. Markus needs funds for his work! He has completed a limited
edition of plates to help in this direction. For Euro 400, you, too,
can help with the providing of direction for unemployed youngsters.
Please see Markus's web-site for details.
But, if you
do wish to see the service station in Hietzing, and you are in
Vienna, please hurry, it has but a short time to live. It is next to
the VHS – Hietzing. And, if you do take the trouble, this island of
spectacular colour will stay put in your mind for ever!
Go, see and
enjoy!
