TRIBUTES TO SIR CYRIL NEWALL

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23177, 14 November 1940, Page 2

TRIBUTES TO SIR CYRIL NEWALL

♦ Work In Royal Air Force WARM APPROVAL IN BRITAIN (FROM OPR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) , LONDON. October 8. Warm approval has been expressed by the British newspapers of the appointment of Sir Cyril Ncwall as the new Governor-General of New Zealand. “His retirement from the post of Chief of Air Staff,” said the “Sunday Times,” involves no loss of credit to a most successful officer, for, in fact, the three years during which he has been at the head of the Royal Air Force have been those of its greatest triumphs. But its expansion during the period has been enormous, and would ■have entailed heavy strains at the top, even if the actual war strain had not been added to them. "There is everything to be said for relieving highly-placed officers as soon as they become at all over-tasked, But in fairness to them, this should be clearly understood by the public as in no way derogating from their record.” “Autolycus,” in his notes. “Men and Matters.” in the “Sunday Times,” id; "While the new appointment (of Air Marshal Sir Charles Portal as the new Chief of Air Staff) will be widely popular, the nation will not forget the services of the man who has stepped down. Air Chief Marshal Sir Cyril Newall did little to popularise himself either with the public or the Air Foiye, but his high sense of duty, his tireless work at all hours, and his faith in the Air Force during the lean years have given him a high place in the country's esteem.”

The "Observer" said: “Sir Cyril Newall deserves high commendation for the way he has brought the service through the most difficult period of its career; the period during which it was much inferior to the chomy in numbers and during which it was fighting often in circumstances of the greatest danger, as during the campaign in France. “Cool, Calculating Direction” “He has enabled the enemy's air thrusts to be parried successfully, while the Royal Air Force was building up its strength. His cool and calculating direction has tided over a period of extreme peril." The "News of the World" observed: “He has completed only two and a half of his four years' term of office as Chief of the Air Staff, but he has achieved wonders, nb was largely responsible for the resurrection of the strength of the Royal Air Force from scratch in 1935." “The Times” said: “Sir Cyril Newall will take with him to Nevy\Zealhnd the

good wishes of aU ranks in the Royal Air Force, with whom he was exceedingly popular. Since he became Chief of the Air Staff in 1937 .he has worked untiringly to make the Royal Air Force the finest in the world, and he has seen it grow out of all knowledge, both in size and efficiency, and has stayed to see his ambition achieved.”

The “Daily Mail’’ commented: “Sir Cyril Newall will find great satisfaction in handing over the controls to such a man as Air Marshal Sir Charles Portal at the moment when the Royal Air Force is universally acclaimed the saviour of Britain. There is no muddle, no'crushing defeat behind the departure of Sir Cyril, who has spent a lifetime flying. No man ever relinquished his command at a moment of greatest achievement.”