N.Z. FIGHTER SQUADRONS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23985, 28 June 1943, Page 6

N.Z. FIGHTER SQUADRONS

U.S. VICE-ADMIRAL’S PRAISE (P.A.) WELLINGTON. June 26. The complimentary reference to the work of New Zealand fighter squadrons operating from Guadalcanar (where they have shot down 14 enemy aircraft for the toss of one of their own) made by Vice-Admiral Aubrey Fitch, United States Navy Commander of Aircraft in the South, Paciflc. was quoted by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) to-day. Vice-Admiral Fitch has sent the following message to the Chief of the Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal R. V. Goddard);—“New Zealand Air Force fighters have performed magnificently in recent mass engagements in the Solomons, proving again that man for man they are as dangerous to the enemy in the air as the Axis has found them to be on the ground, “ITieir performance inspires fear amdhg the Japanese and admiration from their American allies. We are proud to have them as comrades m ar The Air Officer Commanding the No. 1 (Islands) Group, R.N.Z.A.F.. Air Commodore S. Wallingford, has been requested to express personally to Vice-Admiral Fitch appreciation of his generous praise and an assurance that the Royal New Zealand Air Force looks forward to continued and increasipg participation in the battle of the islands with their American comrades, whose constant help and encouragement have been of the greatest value to the Dominion’s squadrons, and whose brilliant successes in action have inspired the admiration and emulation of the Dominion’s men.