SIR CYRIL NEWALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 October 1940, Page 5

SIR CYRIL NEWALL

BRILLIANT RECORD IN AIR COMMAND GLAD TO BE COMING TO NEW ZEALAND. KEEN INTEREST IN DEFENCE PROBLEMS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, October 5. One of the pioneers of the Royal Air Force and holder of the 144th flying licence isssued in England, Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Cyril Newall, Governor-General-designate of New Zealand, during a discussion with representatatives of the United Press Association on the general war situation revealed the clear intelligence ana profound knowledge of the problems of airial warfare which enabled him to outlast three chiefs of the Imperial General Staff and two First Sea Lords during his three years membership among the Chiefs of Staffs. Three rows of ribbons illuminate his uniform, on the left breast of which the fading and discoloured wings give some indication of.his length of service. His subordinates in the Air Ministry pay tribute to Sir Cyril Newall’s remarkable attention to detail and deplore the loss of the chief who guided the airforce to the highest pinnacle of service yet achieved. The new Governor-General learnt to fly while on leave from the Indian Army in 1911, when he undertook a course at the central flying school at Bristol. He flew a Bristol box-kite, which was described as being kept together, by string, rubber bands, glue and nails. It was capable of 60 mites an hour, and an altitude of 3000 to 4000 feet. Sir Cyril Newall returned to India fired with the desire to initiate a similar flying school there, but he encountered opposition. However, he perservered, and two years later induced the authorities to lay the foundation for a school which had scarcely begun operations before the war broke out. GREAT WAR SERVICE. Sir Cyril Newall’s regiment went to France, and he joined the Royal Flying Corps as a flight commander. He was appointed in 1917 to command the 41st bombing wing, which carried out an offensive against German objectives in order to counter the air raids against London. Sir Cyril Newall’s wing was the forerunner of the independent air force created in 191", in which he commanded the eighth brigade. In 1916 he was awarded the Albert Medal for conspicuous gallantry. When fire broke out inside a large R.A.F. bomb store containing 2000 high explosives, he led a small party which extinguished the flames. “Though I am sorry to leave my present post, I am tremendously honoured and pleased, particularly as my wife and I have always been interested in New Zealand and hoped for an opportunity of visiting it,” Sir Cyril told the United Press Association. “As for the job here, I am always in favour of changes, especially when I have a successor like Sir Charles Portal, who is a first-rate fellow. “I was greatly touched to receive a message of congratulation and greetings from the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, and also one from Air Headquarters, Wellington. “I am taking my two daughters, aged 14 and 13, and my son, aged 10. They are delighted at the prospect. DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE. “I am looking forward to meeting the people who are making such a noble contribution to the defeat of the enemy. I am also eager for close association with the defence forces, particularly the Air Force, and desire to study the defence problems at first hand, though my work on the Chiefs of Staffs Committee has given me an insight into the defence of the Empire as a whole. I have never before been further east than Calcutta, though I once crossed the Equator by motor-car, and several times by air.” Fishing, particularly fly-fishing, is Sir Cyril Newall’s principal hobby. He has never done any big game fishing, but hopes to learn the art in New Zealand. He is also intensely interested in music and painting. The R.A.F. swears by Sir Cyril Newall, whose command is always personal —never - that of the impersonal administrator. When the completehistory of the RA.F. is writen after the war, it will also be the biography of Sir Cyril. There are few aspects of its growth in which he did not have a hand. He nursed the R.A.F. throughout its two most critical years. Both Sir Cyril Newall and Sir Charles Portal are great believers in offensive operations. Both strongly maintain that winning the war will be greatly assisted by large-scale bombing offensives throughout Germany. FINE RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT. The “Daily Mail” says there is no muddle or crushing defeat behind Sir Cyril Newall’s departure. He spent a life-time flying, and no man has relinquished the command of the fighting force at a moment of greater achievement. ‘The Times” says Sir Cyril Newall will take to New Zealand the good wishes of all ranks of the R.A.F., with whom he is exceedingly _ popular. After his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff in 1937, he worked untiringly to make the R.A.F. the finest Air Force in the world. He has seen it grow out of all knowledge, both in size and efficiency. He retained the command long enough to see his ambition achieved. Sir Cyril appointment has surprised aviation circles, who pay a tribute to his great tactical gifts and states that he has borne the brunt of organising the R.A.F.’s struggle, both in defence of the! Homeland and in hammering Europe. One aeronautical authority declared that the modern R.A.F. was partly Sir Cyril’s creation. He was Chief of the Air Staff throughout its tremendous expansion and forged a formidable weapon. MESSAGES EXCHANGED PREMIER AND SIR C. NEWALL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Messages have been exchanged by cablegram during the weekend be; tween the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, and Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Cyril Newall. Mr Fraser sent the following message to Sir Cyril Newall: “On behalf of the Government and people of the Dominion I should like to offer you a cordial message of greetings and congratulations upon your appointment as Governor-General of New Zealand.

Your name and your conspicuous services to the British Commonwealth, particularly during these critical months, are well known to us and I can assure you that a very hearty welcome awaits Lady Newall and yourself here.” Sir Cyril’s reply, which was received yesterday, reads: “I am deeply touched by your message. Please convey my warmest thanks to the Government and people of New Zealand. It is a high honour to me to have been called to the office of Governor-Gener-al of a great Dominion, and I shall spare no endeavour to be of service to New Zealand. Lady Newall joins me in looking forward with keen anticipation to our arrival.”