GREAT WORK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 81, 6 April 1943, Page 4

GREAT WORK

TWO N.Z. SQUADRONS

SINGAPORE AND PACIFIC

An important chapter in the history of the Royal New Zealand Air Force was concluded this morning when Air-Commodore * F. E. ~H/ Hewlett, D.5.0.. 0.8. E., R.N.Z.A.F.. Air Force Member for Supply, at an Air Force station near Auckland, reviewed Nos. 1 and 2 of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Aerodrome Construction Units, which are to be disbanded. More familiarly known as the Nos. 1 and 2 squadrons, both have endured the rigours of overseas service and carried out valuable work since their formation in 1941. No. 1 squadron undertook constructional work in the Malayan-Singapore area for a few months before that area was occupied by the Japanese, and it suffered a particularly hazardous and spectacular escape from Singapore Island a few days before the island fortress fell. No. 2 squadron, which returned to New Zealand a short time ago, though never embroiled in warfare, left a chain of solidly-built airfields in the South Pacific as a permanent record of its endeavours. The personnel from the disbanded squadrons would, said Air-Commo-dore Hewlett, be an undoubted acquisition to the service units to which they were posted. It was fitting that some 80 men drawn from the squadron should this time, be representing their unit in , further work on scattered islands in the Pacific, including a group at Guadalcanal'. . . The squadron arrived back in New Zealand on March 24, 1942. 155 of the 167 officers and men who had been in Malaya" in January. 1942, returning. Three fatalities had resulted directly from hostile offence suffered at Singapore. Five airmen wounded in the same action and left in hospital at Singapore and another injured in the s.'s. Darvel action and left in hospital in Java were now presumed to be prisoners of war. - Runway For Bombers Thirteen days ahead of schedule, the No. 2 Squadron, working three shifts daily for seven days of every week, completed the initial strip of a large runway capable of taking heavy American bombers in the South Pacific area. The squadron handled one shift of the three-shift day worked by the civil construction unit. The civil unit ceased operation in May, 1942, and returned to New Zealand, leaving No. 2 Squadron to complete various projects, which the air commodore fully reviewed. On one runway work it was necessary to win and transport approximately 70,000 cubic yards of material. The squadron performed other notable jobs, having a wealth of technical talent. . It investigated and remedied defects in the power units of a mine-sweeping flotilla, made emergency repairs to two holed destroyers, undertook water supply surveys, railway locations, bulk fuel handling and bulk fuel plant maintenance. Air-Commodore Hewlett said officers and men had the satisfaction of knowing that they had served faithfully and well.