ROUND OF VISITS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 223, 17 June 1944, Page 8

ROUND OF VISITS

Mr. Fraser Meets N.Z. Airmen In Britain (Official News Service.) LONDON, June lt»Flying from London to an operational air station in an eastern county, the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, yesterday met several more New Zealand airmen in a few hours’ respite from their constant attacks on the enemy coast and occupied territory. Accompanied by Mrs. Fraser and Air Commodore Olson, he visited a New Zealand Beaufighter • squadron which has an outstanding record of success against German merchant shipping off the Norwegian coast and in more recent weeks has been striking at armed craft, ranging from E-boats to de- ‘ stroyers, operating in waters nearer vermany. , , The commander of the squadron is Wing Commander J. Dinsdale. Te Kuiti, and the commander of the station where it is based is also a New Zealander, ’Group Captain A. E. Clouston, Motueka. A third New Zealander, m a high post there, is Wing Commander L. A. Robertson, Auckland, who holds the position of wing commander (flying), lhe Prime Minister had a Ion" talk with them and members of the squadron, together with several other Dominion flyers, who travelled from neighbouring stations to meet them. On a visit to south coast stations the dav before. Mr. Fraser met a number of other New Zealanders who have particularly distinguished themselves in the Air Force and have risen to positions of great responsibility. They were Mmg Commander D. J. Scott, Hokitika, who an airfield where Typhoon Squadrons, including the rocket-firing 'type, are based. Wing Commander C. E. Malfrov, Wellington, who has an administrative post on-Scott’s station and Wing Commander Alan Deere, Wan„anui who also commands an airheld which includes Fighting French squadrons. Now in Normandy. - Another distinguished New Zealander, Wing Commander W. V. C. Compton, Mission Bay. is stationed nearby, but was 'operating with his squadrons from landing fields in Normandy itself when Mr. ■Fraser visited the area. One of Scotts •pilots is a Maori, Flying Officer M. A. Millich, Kaitaia. whom Mr. Fraser also met. and who has been attacking Ger'man tanks and transport in France in his rocket-firing Typhoon. These men Mr. Fraser has been meeting range from veterans who have ’been through the mill” of the Battle of Britain to comparative .newcomers who have joined them in the long and steadily "■rowing air offensive over Europe. Mr. Fraser told them how proudly the people of New Zealand followed their deeds and how fully they share with New Zealand airmen, soldiers and sailors all o'er the world an unsurpassed reputation for courage, initiative and courtesy. TRIBUTE TO R.N.Z.A.F. R.A.F. Presents Gold Cup ‘ ’ (Official News Service.) LONDON, June 10. The Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, spent today in London, where he had further discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Anderson, and also the British chiefs of staff. As a’ token of the admiration in which New Zealand airmen are held, the B.A.F. has presented the R.N.Z.A.h. with a gold cup. It was handed to Mr. Fraser at a ceremony at the New Zealand Forces Club this evening for him to ' take to the Dominion where the Gover-nor-General will be asked to present it formally to the R.N.Z.A.F. The cup was given to the R.A.'F. by Wing Commander F. J. R. Hack, who was present with Mrs. Hack at the ceremony, Mrs. Fraser also attended, together with the High Commissioner, Mr. Jordan, and Mrs. Jordan, Air Commodore Olson and Brigadier Park. The cup was’handed over to Mr. Fraser by Air Marshal Sir Bertine Sutton, Air Member for Personnel, who said that the R.N.Z.A.F. was represented on almost every fighting front in the world, and New Zealanders had won more than 600 decorations, including two V.C.s. Their newest achievements had been in the Pacific, where the way in which they had overcome tremendous technical and geographical difficulties showed on what sound foundations the R.N.Z.A.F., had . been built. He mentioned his association with New Zealand flyers and the fact that Air Vice-Marshal Isitt, Chief of.the New Zealand Air Staff; had been a flight com- ’ mandcr on his own squadron in the last Mr. Fraser, accepting the cup, said New Zealand was grateful for the assistance her air force invariably received • from the R.A.F., and was proud that her . own men were carrying out their share in wunning the air war.