FINE RECORD

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 228, 26 September 1941, Page 2

FINE RECORD

WORK OF AIR FORCE CASUALTIES OVERSEAS (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON. Thursday.

"The Air Force has in the past year flown nearly 200,000 hours, or a distance of more than 800 times round the world, and the maintenance of aircraft has involved about 1.000.000 man hours in the fitter and rigger trades alone." says the report of the Chief of the Air Staff. Air Commodore H. W. L. Saunders, for the year ended March 31. which was presented in the House of Representatives to-day by the Minister of Defence.

Casualties to New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Force from September 4. 19:59, to March 31. 1941, totalled 31S. the report continues. These comprised 156 killed, 20 missing believed killed. 59 missing. 33 seriouslv wonnded and 50 prisoners of war. Fatal casualties in New Zealand for the year under review numbered 42. including 19 flying accidents involving the loss of 29 lives. Applications for air crew training during the year numbered 751S and there were 5538 for ground staff training. Corresponding totals since the outbreak of war were 12.162 and 12,974. The important part played by No. 1 Auckland General Reconnaissance Squadron in the protection of shipping in the approaches to the main ports and other focal areas is recorded. The report says the squadron has made numerous patrols and searches and had provided escorts for specially important shipping. A return of capital expenditure on the various stations for the year shows a total of £1,456,600. The report adds that since the commencement of the expansion programme of 1937-38 the sum of £3,559,900 has been spent on works and buildings. Maintenance of stations cost £85,686 for the year. "The success of the air training programme in New Zealand is demonstrated by the manner in which New Zealand airmen have acquitted themselves in operations overseas," the report concludes. "It is apparent that New Zealanders have a natural aptitude for flying and their training here has enabled them to meet the high standards of the Royal Air Force."