GREAT EXPANSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 November 1943, Page 3

GREAT EXPANSION

OF NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE

AIR VICE-MARSHAL ISITT’S SURVEY. ( CALL FOR STEADY FLOW OF RECRUITS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELINGTON. This Day Activities of the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the last four years were reviewed by the Chief of Air Staff. Air Vice-Marshal. L. 31. Isiti, C.8.E., in an address last night, lie said that New Zealanders had been in almost every big air operation overseas since the war began, and they had won over GOO awards. This was truly a remarkable achievement, particularly when one remembered that those men for the most part had been trained since war broke out.

Whereas the Royal New Zealand Air Force was primarily a training organisation in the first three years of the war, this country had, since Japan entered the war, built up an extensive operational organisation with many complete New Zealand squadrons on active service in the Pacific and in New Zealand.

“The Royal New Zealand Air Force has gone a long way since September, 1939,” said Air Vice-Marshal Isitt. “For every member we had then, we have today more than 100. Before the war, our strength was represented by, say, the population of Eltham or Taihape, whereas today we would require the towns of Palmerston North and Hamilton to accommodate everyone in the service. Since war broke out we have sent overseas sufficient aircrew personnel to fly approximately 2000 bombers and 1500 fighters. * ACTION AGAINST JAPAN.

“One interesting aspect of the advanced training which is now being undertaken in New Zealand is the manner in which we are providing operational squadrons for the forward Pacific area. We have had in action reconnaissance bomber squadrons, attack bomber squadrons, fighter squadrons, and flying-boat patrol units, and it will not be long before we also have dive-bomber and torpedo-bomber squadrons in action against the Japanese. Almost the whole of the personnel of these squadrons are New Zea-land-trained. We are also providing New Zealand-trained technical and maintenance staff?. Already, in the Pacific, New Zealand ». airmen have shot down about 60 Japanese aircraft, with a further six probably destroyed. Most of these have been shot down by our Warhawk fighters, for a combat loss of some 12 aircraft, but half these pilots have been saved by the good work of their comrades, the assistance of friendly natives, and the excellent American air-sea rescue organisations. ESTABLISHED REPUTATION.

“Our bombers have shot down three enemy aircraft, with many more damaged or destroyed on the ground. Our Hudsons have also destroyed one enemy submarine and probably destroyed a second one, and, in addition, our bombers and fighters have sunk many Japanese barges. Our bombers have raided enemy ground installations, destroying buildings and strafing ground targets. Our reconnaissance squadrons have achieved great successes in spotting Japanese sea movements, and they have acted as pathfinders on nightraiding missions. All our personnel have established a reputation for reliability and determination, and for doing a good job. “Linked with our operational squadrons in the Pacific are our air transport and Pacific ferry organisations. Though their work is unspectacular, it is, nevertheless, highly important. Our heavy transport aircraft carry men and supplies to and from .the forward area of the Pacific, and generally maintain fast and efficient air communications between New- Zealand and our forward bases.

“The Pacific ferry organisation brings from America to New Zealand, by air across the Pacific, many of the modern aircraft to be flown later by our operational squadrons. Their work is in many respects similar to that of the famous Atlantic Ferry Command. This has greatly speeded up the delivery of aircraft —a most important factor when one considers the distances to be covered between this country and the sources of supply. BLUEPRINT FOR FUTURE. “We are constant!}' seeking to improve our effort,” said the air vicemarshal. “We are convinced that the Air Force will be called on to do even more before victory is won. We believe that we must prepare for these extra efforts, and we believe that we must also be prepared to carry them on for as long as may be required. We earnestly hope that the war will soon end. But it would be foolish to allow this; hope to blind us/to all other possibilities. We can be sure that the enemy won’t give up easily. We must be prepared for the most desperate efforts the enemy can make, and to do this we must have the machines and the trained men available. This, then, may be regarded as our blueprint for the future development of the Air Force.,

“In the Pacific, New Zealand is undertaking considerable commitments. The Royal New Zealand Air Force can play a useful part in this theatre of war, which is, after all, less than one day’s flying distance from this country. We can move squadrons to and from the forward area without great difficulty, and at no time are they any great distance away from our supply base.

“The maintenance of such a large operational force has naturally had a farreaching effect on the whole of the internal organisation of the Royal New Zealand Air Force here. For example, we require more men in our home establishments than we required for purely training purposes. Climatic conditions make it impossible to keep our administrative and maintenance personnel in the forward area indefinitely, and we have to replace them from time to time. Naturally, we must have fit men to take their places while the returned men are recuperating during leave and duty in New Zealand. This rotation scheme is something that has been developed during the last 12 months to meet our needs in the Pacific, and calls for a high percentage of men' fit for overseas service, for in addition to maintaining the units we now have in the Pacific, we

are increasing both the numbers and types of squadrons.” YOUNG MEN NEEDED. The air vice-marshal said it should not be forgotten that New Zealand was continuing with its contribution under the Empire air training plan, and to the fighting squadrons of the Royal Air Force, for it was the war in Europe which still ranked first in importance in this global war. New Zealand was occupying an important place in the combined air effort of the United Kingdom. They must continue this effort to the greatest possible degree for as long as might be necessary. They would be foolish to imagine that’ the war was already won and that it was unnessary to plan for >some considerable lime ahead. Men were needed, young men to fly in the future Pacific squadrons, and to drive home the attack against the enemy in Europe. An appeal was being launched today to all young men between the ages of 18 and 30 to volunteen for aircrew duties with the Royal New Zealand Air’ Force.