PROMINENT PART

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21222, 19 September 1940, Page 10

PROMINENT PART

WAR IN THE AIR NEW ZEALANDERS’ WORK 1000 MEN NOW IN R.A.F, (By Tetegrapn.—special to Times) GISBORNE, Wednesday “This Dominion made very fine contributions to the strength of the Royal Flying Corp, and the Fleet Air Arm in the last war, and the achievements of New Zealanders in the air in the present conflict have earned the praise of the most highly authoritative judges of air personnel,” said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, in an interview today, when discussing the tangible assistance the Dominion was rendering the Motherland. In all, there were about 1000 New Zealand members of the Royal Air Force, some 600 of whom had proceeded to the United Kingdom since the war began, Mr Fraser said. The establishment of a separate bomber squadron manned entirely by men frqm this coiutry was a signal recognition of their capacity. Active Part Taken “New Zealand pilots, observers and air crews have been in almost all important air operations since the outbreak of war,” the Prime Minister continued. “Early raids on Kiel and ‘ Wilhelmshaven, leaflet raids on Prague and Vienna, the Sylt raids, the campaign over Norway, the battles of Flanders and the evacuation of Dunkirk, and a whole series of raids on German and enemyoccupied territory during the past three months have given them adequate scope. The longest reconnaissance flight of the first year of the war, from Britain to Narvik and back, over a course of 2000 miles, was carried out by a New Zealand crew, and the efficiency of these men is indicated by the official recognition they have won. “New Zealand pilots, observers and air gunners have been awarded 25 Distinguished Flying Crosses, including one bar, three Distinguished FJying Medals, three Air Force Crosses and one Croix de Guerre, while several have been mentioned ir- despatches.

Annual Reinforcement “The men who represent us in the Royal Air Force are not to be allowed to carry the burden without reinforcements,” continued Mr Fraser. “for there are 8204 men in this country who have volunteered for service as pilots, while another 8189 are anxious to serve in the technical branches and in the ground staff. “Soon, New Zealand will reach the peak of its scheduled contribution to the Empire training scheme, and will be supplying 900 fully-trained pilots per annum, with 800 men under the heading of technical personnel to back them up. Between now and the end of this year 167 pilots, 117 observers and 40 gunners will go to England, and 126 observers and 288 air gunners to Canada for further training, a total of 1465.”