READY FOR ACTION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 203, 25 May 1944, Page 4

READY FOR ACTION

Avenger Squadron Departs For Pacific CONFIDENT N.Z. AIRMEN

After three months of intensive training at a North Island operational training station, another squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force has left to begin its tour of duty in the vacific. They ’ are flying crews of nu Avenger squadron who will replace men who have completed their tour of operations in the Islands and who are due for a rest. It was a confident band of airmen who set off on the long flight, across the Pacific, many of them going to meet the enemy for the first time. They had confidence ill their aircraft, which had demonstrated their attacking power and durability in recent successful strikes against Rabaul and other targets; they had confidence in their leaders, all flying men of wide experience; and they had confidence in their own ability. Most of them were young pilots navigators and gunners who had spent the last few months since their return from Canada preparing for active operation and fitting themselves for tropical service. A few had seen action, and some were veterans whose inclusion in the squadron would give added strength to its hitting. ' Commanding officer of the squadron is Squadron Leader M. Wilkes, of Nelson, whose flying experience goes back to IJ-7. An Army officer previously, he was trained by Air Commodore N. W. Buckley, now Air’Officer Commanding No. 1 Islands Group, in an Avro 504. and subsequently served with the No. 3 Territorial Squadron. He went to Wigram on the outbreak of war and has since served on several R.N.Z.A.F. stations, his flying experience embracing many old types of aircraft. He was for a long time on general reconnaissance, and in May of last year went to the United States for a course on Avenger torpedo-bombers at a U.S. naval air station.’ This will be his first operational tour. Also with the second R.N.Z.A.F. Avenger Squadron are two Fleet Air Arm observers who have been seconded to the Royal New Zealand Air Force for uine months. Thev are Lieutenants (A) J. C. Morrison. D.S.C.. and J. Loftus, both of Wellington, who have had considerable experience with carrier aircraft in combat areas. Lieut. Morrison gained his Distinguished Service Cross in Malta, and Lieut. Loftus, who is the squadron’s gunnery leader, lias been flying in U.S., and British carrier aircraft in the Pacific. Flight Commanders and senior officers of the squadron include Flight Lieutenants F. J. Adams, formerly of Wellington. M. R. Greenslade, formerly of Dunedin. C. G. G. Prior, and O. P. Bayley, of Christchurch, and J. G. Hannah and A. J. Mclvor. both of Dunedin. All are well-known members of the R.N.Z.A.F. who have bad a wide experience of flying.