NAVAL AIR FORCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 205, 30 August 1941, Page 7

NAVAL AIR FORCE

SOVIET GREETINGS Reciprocal Message From British Fleet Flyers British Official Wireless. Ree. noon. RUGBY, Aug. 29. The following message of greeting has been sent to the pilots of the Fleet Air Arm on behalf of the pilots of the Soviet Naval Air Force:—"ln these days of the great nght against Hitlerite hordes the naval pilots of the Soviet Union warmly greet the naval pilots of Britain. Comrades in arms the historic task of freeing humanity from Hitlerite tyranny has fallen to the lot of the people of the Soviet Union and of Great Britain.

In this fight against Hitlerism, which seeks to drown the whole world in blood your naval pilots have shown great military ability. We record with admiration the attack carried out by you at Taranto, the devastating blows on the Bismarck and your courageous fight for the destruction of the military bases and objectives of our hated enemy.

"The unshakable will of our peoples to wage this fight until we have complete victory over the enemy binds us naval pilots to mercilessly exterminate the Hitlerite monsters on the sea and land, and in the air. Our cause is a just cause. We are defending the freedom and peaceful labour of our peoples. We are defending the liberty and happy future of all humanity. Victory will be ours."

The message was signed on behalf of the naval pilots of the Soviet Union by three generals of aviation, and five pilots, who are heroes of the Soviet Union.

The following reply has been sent by Admiral Lyster, Fifth Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Air Service:— "We welcome the spirit of friendship shown us by our valiant comrades of the Soviet Naval Air Force and look forward to the day when our combined efforts may bring that victory which we both so ardently desire. The Naval Air Service reciprocates warmly the greetings and good wishes of the Soviet Naval Air Service and wishes them good hunting and happy landings."