N.Z. JOINT STAFF MISSION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 5, 1 October 1943, Page 6

N.Z. JOINT STAFF MISSION

Air Commodore Findlay For Washington WAR IN SOUTH PACIFIC New Striking Units Of Dominion’s Air Force

The increasingly important part being .played by (lie Royal New Zealand Air Forqe in the Dominion’s war activities in the South Pacific has been reflected in it decision by Jhe Government to appoint a senior officer of the R.N.Z.A.F. as head of the New Zealand Joint Staff Mission in Washington. Announcing this last evening, the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, stated that Air Commodore J. L. Findlay, M.C., previously Air Officer Commanding, Central Group, R.N.Z.A.F., would take over from Brigadier A. B. Williams, D. 5.0., the duties of senior member of the Joint Staff Mission. Air Commodore Findlay would also become R.N.Z.A.F.. representative to the Combined'Chiefs of Staff in Washington, relieving Group Captain J. Seabrook. A.F.C., who had acted in this capacity for some months. Brigadier Williams, who has been head of the New Zealand Joint Staff Mission for 18 months, lias returned to New Zealand within the last, few days. Group Captain Seabrook will later return to the Dominion for duty. ‘‘The air war in the South Pacific is assuming increasing importance,”, said the Minister, “and the development and equipment of New Zealand forces and bases with American aircraft and other operational equipment has tended to throw the balance of negotiations between the United States of America and New Zealand on military affairs more to the Air Force.

“.During the last 12 months the strength of the R.N.Z.A.F. in the South Pacific has grown considerably. Our bomber-reconnaissance squadrons have been .'allotted important tasks in the forward areas, and they have won the unstinted praise of the American commanders. The New Zealand . fighter squadrons have already established a splendid record against the Japanese, and-the ground staffs serving and maintaining our squadrons have been responsible in no small measure for our successes. New Striking Units. “New striking units of the R.N.Z.A.F. will be in action in the near future, and more are being prepared' to follow,” added the Minister. “It will not be long before we have squadrons or the following types in action : —Bomber squadrons, patrol and reconnaissance squadrons, torpedo-bomber squadrons, dive-bomber squadrons and fighter squadrons; besides all the essential services for administration, supply and maintenance. “This will, of course, involve great increases in personnel strength, and we shall have to. deal with many new problems of, equipment and supply. “The New Zealand Joint Staff Mission in Washington will thus have many increased responsibilities, particularly involving technical questions surrounding the expansion of the RjN.Z.A.F. in the Pacific. The Government has. decided, therefore, that it would be desirable to have a senior member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force as Head of the Joint Staff Mission and as R.N.Z.A.F. representative to the (Combined Chiefs of Staff. Air Commodore J. ‘L. Findlay, M.C., has been selected for this ix>st in view ot his long experience both overseas witn the -Royal Air Force and in New Zealand with 'the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Air Commodore James Lloyd I'indlay> M.C., R.N.Z.A.F.. son of Sir John hindlay, a former member of the New Zea and Legislative Council, was born in V> ellinKton on October 6, ISJo. He attended Wellington College and later the Imperial Sei'Vice College in England, where he was captain of the school in 1J.14. At the outbreak of the Great War he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the East Surrey Regiment, with which he served in France. He was wounded at' Loos and the Somme. In JJI < he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. For gallant service in the war he received the Military Cross and the Legion of Honour and was also mentioned iu dispatches. . After the war lie was appointed to a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force, from which he resigned to join the New Zealand Air Force on its inception in 1923. In 1929-30 be was attached to the R.A.F. for specialist courses. On his return to New Zealand he commanded an air station till 1938. when he was again posted to England with the R.A.F. on interchange. He commanded a flight qf aircraft on delivery to Egypt, and was then placed in command of a squadron. His next command was an R.A.F.-station, where fie remained from August. 19-10. till July, 1941, when he returned to New Zealand to take up the post of Senior Air Staff Officer at Air Department. In July. 1942. he was appointed Air Officer Commanding the Central Group. R.N.Z.A.F., being promoted from group captain to air commodore in September. 1942. Air Commodore Findlay is a keen cricketer and represented the R.A.F. iu mutches after tlie last, war.