N.Z. AIR CHIEF

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 171, 21 July 1943, Page 5

N.Z. AIR CHIEF

VICE-MARSHALL ISITT

FIRST DOMINION OFFICER

, pA ) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The announcement of the promotion of Air Commodore L. M. Isitt to •he temporary rank of Air ViceMarsha] and nis appointment to the Dost of Chief of the Air Staff in the \ir Department and Air Officer Commanding' the New Zealand Air Force, in succession to Air Vice-Marshal R. ,- Qoddard. who now reverts to the nnyal Air Force on the expiry of his period of loan, was made by the Prime "Minister, Mr. Fraser, to-night. "This is the first time." stated the Prime Minister, "that the post of Chief of the Air Staff has been held bv a New Zealand officer, and Air Vice-Marshal Isitt is to be congratulatedon his thoroughly well-deserved anDointment." The new Chief of the Air Staff has been associated with the air force in New Zealand since its inception and since 1940 he has been overseas' as the Dominion's representative in Canada in connection with the Empire Air Training Scheme. He also served in Washington as Air Attache at the Legation, and before returning to New Zealand this year he had undertaken a tour of duty in the United Kingdom. Now Deputy-Chief Mr Fraser also announced that Air Commodore G. T. Jarman, D.5.0., DFC. of the Royal Air Force, has now assumed the post of deputyChief of the Air Staff, vacated by Air Vice-Marshal Isitt. Air Commodore Jarman is a New Zealander who has been a member of the R.A.F. since December. 1930, and has given very distinguished war service in the Bomber Command He is now loaned to the R.N.Z.A.F., which had always benefited from its close association with the R.A.F. "This benefit has not merely taken the form of interchange and loan of personnel, but our operational squadrons and the whole organisation have been continually assisted by close collaboration between the Air Department and the Air Ministry. Retiring Chief Thanked "I would like to take this opportunity," said Mr. Fraser, "to pay a very'warm and sincere tribute to the retiring Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Goddard, who. like his predecessors from the R.A.F., has rendered most valuable service to the Dominion. The period that Air ViceMarshal Goddard has been in command was one of major development in regard to the equipment of squadrons for operational duties in a forward area, in an extension of local training organisation and the organisation of squadrons to take part in active operations. "The entry of Japan into the war and the extension of operations into the South Pacific created an entirely new situation as regards the air defence and air policy of New Zealand, and it was Air Vice-Marshal Goddard's task to meet and surmount the rapidly-changing circumstances which have marked the period since December, 1941, and this he did in a conspicuously able and successful manner. "The form and impetus of the expansion which has taken place in the air force is due in great measure to his resourcefulness and energy and to <the.excellent relations he established with the American authorities, both in the Pacific and Washington. Air Vice-Marshal Goddard's advice and assistance at all times have been of the utmost value to the War Cabinet and the Government, who extend to him their warmest thanks and good wishes," Mr. Fraser said in conclusion. Born in Christchurch in July. 1891. AirCommodore Isitt is a son of the late Hon. I-. M. Isitt. M.L.C., and travelled to England with his family in 1900, where he received his early education at Moslvn House, Parkgate. Cheshire. In 1905 the family returned to New Zealand, and AirCommodore Isitt continued his education at the Christchurch Boys' High School for three years, leaving to follow a farming occupation. After four years as a station cadet he forsook the land to take tip a business career, which was interrupted by outbreak of war in 1914. He went overseas with the N.Z.E.F., 'laying the rank of sergeant in the Rifle Brigade, and served in Egypt and the Western Front. Wounded on the Somme, m 1916, he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps while on sick leave, graduated as a pilot, and did artillery observation work in Ypres salient, until April, JOIS. He also did operational work as flight commander with a bomber squadron, and flew all types of British, French and German machines. He later gained the first commercial navigator's license issued by the Air Ministry. Returning to New Zealand in 1919 he took over the position of Military Equipment and Instructional Officer. New Zealand Air Force. When, in 1D23, the air force was formed as a unit of the army. Air-Commodore Tsitt was appointed chief officer commanding at the New Zealand Air Force Depot, Wigram aerodrome. He took further training in England and Canada in 1926 before taking command of the new N.Z.R.A.F. base at Hobsonville. Later posted to Wellington headquarters, he was granted the rank of wing-commander, and was promoted in 1938 to group captain. his work in the expansion of the R.N.Z.A'.F. he was accorded the honour of C.B.E. in 1940. Just prior to the war he was selected to attend the Imperial Defence College in 1940. hut, unable to attend on account of the outbreak of war, he was sent to Canada to represent New Zealand in the r.mpirc air training scheme. As New Zealand representative on the British Purchasing Commission and British Supply Council in North America, and later on the staff of the New Zealand -Minister in Washington, he attended many conferences in Ottawa, Washington, and London. Posted to London a year ago, w established the R.N.Z.A.F. overseas headquarters. At the end of last year he returned to New Zealand to become deputy-chief of the air staff. Air-Commodore Georrrey Twvford Jarman, D.5.0., D.F.C., of the Royal Air Force, served continuously in the R.AJ? 1 . for the past 13 years. He was born at Ashburton, in 1906. and educated at Wellington Boys' College, being the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. W. Jarman, Lower Hutt. Before sailing for England to join the R.A.F. he was on the survey staff of the Public Works Department. A few yeeks ago he arrived for service in New Zealand. Air-Commodore Jarman's career began in 1930. He was appointed to a Permanent R.A.F. commission at the termination of his short service commission, and was in England when the war broke °"t. He was awarded the D.F.C. in April, 1941. and four months later was awarded the D.S.O. in recognition of further distinguished service'.