MR NASH MEETS N.Z. AIRMEN

Southland Times, Issue 24818, 10 August 1942, Page 5

MR NASH MEETS N.Z. AIRMEN

AERODROMES VISITED (Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, August 8. Flying in perfect formation the New Zealand Spitfire squadron greeted the New Zealand Minister to Washington, toe Hon. W. Nash, when he arrived by aeroplane over toe aerodrome where toe New Zealand Hurricane nightfighters are stationed. Led by Squadron Leader R. Grant, D.F.M., of Auckland, the Spitfire squadron timed the meeting perfectly and Mr Nash, looking out of toe window of his aircraft, smiled his delight at this unusual welcome. The Spitfire squadron then landed and with the Hurricane pilots lunched with Mr Nash. . , It was literally a day of flying visits for Mr Nash. Although he has been working to the small hours of the morning, he left London before daybreak and flew first to a training station which has practically become .a New Zealand operational training unit. Then he flew on to meet the Spitfire and Hurricane Squadrons. Finally he flew and met the New Zealand bomber squadron and saw them being briefed for a raid on Duisberg. Air Commodore L. M. Isitt, Liaison Officer in London, and Wing Commander F. R. Newell accompanied him. Mr Nash met and shook hands with some 350 New Zealanders. He will write to their parents. OFFICER CONGRATULATED Calling first at toe training unit, Mr Nash met Wing Commander R. Mating, A.F.C., of Christchurch, and Pilot Officer Alan George, D.F.C., D.F.M., of Ha-wei-a. Wing-Commander Maling recently completed six years in India, the latter part commanding a squadron of fighters at Calcutta. Mr Nash warmly complimented Pilot Officer George on his decorations, particularly his award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, which had been announced only the previous day. The New Zealanders were congregated in a class room and Mr Nash, briefly addressed. them. “The reputation toe New Zealanders have won in this war has been toe best asset we have had in toe United States, while here in England you have made my job a dozen times easier,” he said. “It is good to be here and I do not want to make any more speeches.” While the men lit cigarettes Mr Nash mingled with them, shaking hands and talking about their home towns and friends in New Zealand. Those he met included Squadron Leader D. R. Max, D.F.C., of Nelson, who has carried out over 50 raids. He served in France, flying Fairey Battle planes. He also met Pilot Officer F. Cramp, of Auckland, who operated over Norway. POPULAR AIRMEN

Mr Nash also met Flying-Officer S. Haden (Wellington), Pilot Officer R. Blyto (Wanganui) and Sergeants L. J. Williams (Gisborne), M. Lord (Cambridge), T. Sherborne (Gore), A. Scott (Mataura), J. Richards (Metoven) and many others. Mr Nash learned of toe high opinion held of Sergeant R. W. Raharawhi, of Takaka, who took part in toe big Dusseldorf raid for his first operation. Before Mr Nash left the group-captain told him: “I would rather deal with New Zealanders than anybody.” Members of the Hurricane squadron who greeted Mr Nash stood with him admiring members of the Spitfire squadron finishing formation flying before they* landed. Then they all went in to lunch, Mr Nash sitting between Squadron Leader Grant and Wing-Comman-der I. S. Smith, D.F.C. and bar, of Auckland. It was a pleasant, informal gathering, after which Mr Nash chatted with toe pilots and ground crews. He complimented Flight-Lieutenant Harvey Sweetman (Auckland) on getting his first Hun for the Hurricane squadron, also Pilot Officer Lindsay Black (Levin), who recently shot down a Dornier 217 for the Spitfire squadron. Mr Nash spent 20 minutes seeing combat films which were taken while toe fighters were shooting _up enemy shipping, trains and factories. He saw films taken by Flight-Lieutenant J. Kilian (Christchurch), Flight-Lieuten-ant M. Shand (Wellington), Pilot Officers R. Webb (Levin) and E. D. Mackie (Auckland) and Sergeant H. R. Leckie (Wellington). Before leaving Mr Nash met Pilot Officer A. W. Umbers (Dunedin), who was erroneously reported killed. He is in toe best of health. PHOTOGRAPHS OF RAIDS Arriving at toe bomber squadron Mr Nash was greeted by Group-Captain E. G. Olson, who was recently promoted to group captain and is now acting station commander. Group Captain Olson was succeeded in command of toe bomber squadron by Wing-Commander V. Mitchell, D.F.C., a Scotsman, who has made one tour of operations and previously had many New Zealanders under his command. Mr Nash talked to Wing-Commander Mitchell and complimented Wing-Commander Trevor Freeman (Dunedin) on his D.S.O. and D.F.C. and bar. Then he met the New Zealand personnel in toe crew room and addressed them very briefly. Then he again chatted informally. Later he was shown photographs taken during raids over Duisberg, Hamburg and Dusseldorf, some by Flying Officers I. Sullivan (Auckland) and S. H. Gunning (Levin) and three excellent ones by Squadron Leader A. Ashworth, D.F.C. (Alexandra), who is now beginning his third tour of operations. Squadron Leader Ashworth previously completed one tour with toe New Zealand squadton and a second in toe Middle East. He has now piled up a total of 62 raids. Squadron Leader Ashworth succeeds Squadron Leader R. Newton (Christchurch) as a flight commander. Mr Nash met Squadron Leader Newton, who is going to India, also Squadron Leader F. Denton, D.F.C. (Greymouto), who has also completed an operations tour.

Mr Nash was greatly interested to hear that toe squadron was briefed for a raid against Duisberg that night. He hoped, if time allows, to return to see them take off and return from the raid.

Group Captain Olson, commenting on toe squadron’s great spirit, told Mr Nash: “After a period of heavy operations toe boys were briefed for a raid toe very next night, but toe group captain suggested that if any were feeling strain or tiredness they had no need io operate. No one moved. They all took part in toe raid and all returned safely. You cannot beat that spirit.” Mr Nash flew back to London greatly impressed. He told me: “All I have seen today is a splendid justification of toe pride which New Zealand takes in her airmen. They are grand boys.”