H—37

It is clear that a vigorous recruiting campaign will be necessary next year to maintain the Air Force, and that a considerable period of training must ensue before any appreciable increase in flying activities can take place. A system of exchange between officers of the Royal Air Force and the Royal New Zealand Air Force has been inaugurated and two senior officers have so far been •exchanged under this scheme, which will prove a great benefit to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The normal staff and specialist courses overseas are being resumed. The importance of a high standard of training in the Regular Air Force, close liaison with the Royal Air Force, and a higher degree of integration between the three Armed Forces in New Zealand cannot be overstressed. Honours and Awards. —The total number of honours and awards received by New Zealand air personnel for the year and since the outbreak of war is shown in Appendix B. Casualties :

Of the 2 personnel killed in New Zealand, 1 was due to a Service accident and 1 to -a non-Service accident. Of tlie 6 killed and 1 missing overseas, 1 was due to a non-Service accident. Women's Auxiliary-Air Force. —The numbers of serving Women's Auxiliary Air Force personnel is now 241. This small Force continues to be a great assistance in the administrative and catering spheres, but as no enlistments have been made for some time this number will be reduced rapidly. One Women's Auxiliary Air Force officer and 4 N.C.O.s are on special duties with the Historical Records Section in London, while 1 Women's Auxiliary Air Force officer is serving as a secretary on the Far East War Crimes Tribunal in Japan. There is scope in the Air Force for the employment of women in certain trades in which they are more satisfactory than men. Training Flying Training.—Flying training at Central Flying School, Wigram, was limited to refresher, recategorization, and conversion courses. Other activities of the C.F.S. were the ferrying of aircraft, provision of aircraft and crews for air-sea-rescue duties, and flight experience and lectures to Air Training •Corps Cadets. Experimental flying was carried out in the Meteor aircraft on loan from Royal Air Force to check the application of existing training techniques to modern jet aircraft. Due to the release of a large number of experienced navigators, it was necessary to reconstitute the Air Navigation School at Wigram to provide Instructors, squadron navigation officers, and crews for the Mosquito delivery flight. Technical Training.—The Technical Training School was transferred from Nelson to Hobsonville (Auckland), but owing to delays caused by works alterations it was not possible to commence training until August, 1946. At the end of March, 1947, there were 169 trainees undergoing technical courses, and a total of 129 had qualified in short technical courses. The Electrical and Wireless School at Wigram has passed out a total of 53 personnel in various trades. The Recruit Depot at Wigram, Christchurch, carried out a series of short recruit courses for 1,195 recruits of the Interim Air Force.

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• — From 1st April, 1946, to 31st March, 1947. In New Zealand. Overseas. Killed or presumed dead Missing believed killed Missing 2 | 6 1 2 7