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Conclusion This year has seen a marked advance primarily in the sphere of administration and organization in the development of the peacetime Air Force. The future efficiency of the Service will depend primarily upon the response to the recruiting programme in the way of adequate numbers of a high calibre. I wish to express my thanks to all ranks of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, civilian staff of Air Department, and to the Departments with which the Air Force is closely associated for their services and assistance during the past year. I have, &c, A. de T. Nevill, Air Vice-Marshal, Chief of the Air Staff.

Appendix A—Flying Statistics for Year Ist April, 1947, to 31st March, 1948 Operational Units — Flying-hours. Training— Flying-hours. No. 14 (P) Squadron .. .. 3,032-45 Air Navigation School .. .. 767-25 No. 5 (PB) Squadron .. .. 993-50 No. 1 Flying Training School .. 2,118-20 No. 75 (BR) Squadron .. .. 785-15 Instrument Plying School .. , 607-45 Total .. .. .. 4,811*50 Total .. .. .. 3,493-30 Miscellaneous— Canterbury Project Flight .. 419-05 Transport Units— Forestry Fire Patrol .. .. 78-50 No. 41 Squadron .. .. 6,232-20 Communication Flight (Rongotai) 50-15 No. 40 Squadron .. .. 2,259-35 Miscellaneous Station Flying .. ' 729-55 Sunderland Squadron .. .. 578-55 General Purpose- Flight .. .. 2,273-10 Total .. .. .. 1,278-05 Total .. .. .. 11,344-20 Grand total .. .. 20,927-45 Appendix B—Honours and Awards Honours Conferred Ist April, 1947, to 31st March, 1948. Commander of the Order of the British Empire .. .. .. .. 1 Officer of the Order of the British Empire .. .. .. .. 3 Member of the Order of the British Empire .. .. .. .. 12 16 Awards Conferred Ist April, 1947, to 31st March, 1948. Air Force Cross .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 British Empire Medal.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 U.S. Legion of Merit .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Croix de Guerre (French) .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Legion of Merit (French) .. .. .. .. .. ..1 Legion of Honour (French) .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Chevalier of Order of Leopold .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Netherlands Plying Cross .. .. .. • ... .. .. 2 28 Mentioned in Despatches .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Commendations .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10

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