ROYAL AIR FORCE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 217, 9 June 1943, Page 4

ROYAL AIR FORCE

New Zealander’s Tribute To Efficiency

BOMBING RAIDS ON ENEMY A high opinion of the efficiency of the Royal Air Force was expressed by Group Captain E. G. Olson, D. 5.0., RJN.Z.A.F., who has recently returned to New Zealand for duty after a period of service in the United Kingdom. “The bombing offensive (being carried out against the Germans and Italians nt present is the result of a long period of planning, production effort, training and organization,” he said. “The effect ,of these raids, which are both terrifying and devastating, on the war industries and morale of the enemy is not doublet! b.y anyone who has taken part in them. When one is shaken at 7060 feet by the explosion of an 8000-pound bomb one can just imagine what is happening down below.” Group Captain Olson took part in the devastating raid on Lubeck last year as second pilot to Wing Commander T. O. Freeman, D. 5.0., D.F.C. and Bar. “This was a heavy attack,” he said, “and the whole target area was pounded almost beyond recognition. Nevertheless, the weight of bombs dropped was not large compared with recent raids on other German cities, and it is not hard to imagine the enormous destruction which those attacks have caused. ■ * “Generally speaking, our operational aircraft are better than those of the enemy, and I am convinced that our standards of training are without equal. There is, however, no tendency to become complacent, and the Royal Air Force is constantly seeking higher standards and better results.” New Zealand Bomber Squadron. For six months Group Captain Olson was commanding officer of the New Zealand Bomber Squadron. “They are doing a grand job of work,” he said, “and are rated highly. It was a privilege to work with them, and the magnificent tradition they established,' right from the outbreak of war, has done much to bring the nayie of New Zealand to the fore. One could not wish to meet a more cheerful, enthusiastic and capable team.” After leaving the New Zealand Bomber Squadron, Group Captain ONon was appointed commander of a Royal Air Force station, where the squadrons were equipped with Stirling heavy bombers. ‘This station, included in its personnel representatives from almost all parts of the Empire,” he said. “There were New Zealanders. Canadians, Australians, men from various parts of the United Kingdom and other Dominions and colonies.” Group Captain Olson said that comparatively few of the New Zealanders serving in the United Kingdom were grouped in individual units. He explained that even in the New .Zealand squadrons there was a proportion of Royal Air Force personnel, and the ground crews were almost entirely composed of men of the United' Kingdom. “This arrangement suits everybody,.and gives much wider opportunity for advancement of New Zealand personnel,' he added. “They all work well together, and officers and airmen alike enjoy these contacts between representatives of different parts of the Empire. They certainly form a magnificent team. “New Zealanders are serving in the majority of Royal Air Force units. In some squadrons the Dominion’s representation is comparatively strong, and in others there may be just one or two. Everyone speaks very highly of them, and commanding officers are always pleased when New Zealanders are posted to their squadrons.”