MISSING FLASK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 52, 27 February 1945, Page 5

MISSING FLASK

WHAKATANE MAN'S EXPLANATION Meticulous care is taken by the R.A.F. to safeguard every item of equipment down to the tiniest nut and bolt. Endless, though necessary realms of paper are involved should any equipment be lost or go astray, and this never fails to astonish our American allies. The following extract is taken from a recent publication:— 'When Flight-Lieutenant-Pilot Ron Signal of Whakatane, completed his 30 warflights and handed over his before leaving the squadron, each item was carefully checked and double checked against, the original issue documents. When the check of Signal's aircraft was completed it Avas< found that a thermos flask valued at eighteen pence was missing. The equipment officer queried the loss and j asked Signal for an explanation of its otherwise he would lifive to pay. Said Signal : "The last time I saw your crummy flask was when it was disappearing through a shell hole in my kite at 18,000 feet over Stuttgart so if, you want it back that badly—or what is left of it- —I suggest you get in touch with the Jerries!" When Signal was asked now that he was finished ops., where he was to be posted he replied : "I dunno and neither does anyone else.. 1 am just sitting around waiting for the Air Ministry to whistle me up." Three other New Zealanders also "screened" with Signal include one from Hawke's Bay, one from Otago and Pilot Officer Navigator Basil Dodds of Whakatane.'