Smertenko at Croydon. Defying the British Home Office ban, Professor Smertenko, vice president of the American Committee for a free Palestine, landed at Croydon airport from France is afternoon,, Wednesday. Previously, the British Consulate in Paris, had issued a warning to airlines that Professor Smertenko would be deported immediately if he attempted to land in England. Photo shows, the French Messerschmitt aircraft at Croydon, this afternoon, in which the professor flew from Paris. . 15 January 1947