OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24567, 16 May 1945, Page 8

OBITUARY

♦ AIR COMMODORE E. G. OLSON (PA.) NEW PLYMOUTH. May 15. The death occurred at New Plymouth to-day of Air Comm ’ore E. C. Olson, D.5.0., son of Mrs P. G. Olson. New Plymouth, at the age of 39. Air Commodore Olson, whd returned to New Zealand a short time ago on account of ill'-health, was one of the best known of New Zealand’s airmen and had been in aviation since 1925. During part of his war service he commanded the famous No. 75 (New Zealand) Bomber Squadron, based in England. An old pupil of the New Plymouth Boys’ High School, he became interest-

Ed in aviation at an early age. He left New Zealand in 1925 and went to England at his own expense for the purpose of joining the Royal Air Force. In 1827 he was promoted to the rank Cf flying officer in the Royal Air_ Force. Returning* to New Zealand in November, 1929, he was enrolled in the Air Force Territorial Reserve. He was appointed flying instructor at Wigram from August 1, 1930, and was appointed to what was then the New Zealand Permanent Air Force. Later he became an instructor with the Otago Aero Club and joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1935. In Command at Wigram . With the rank of squadron leader; he assumed command at Wigram in 1938, and. later that year, at Hobsonville. In 1939 he joined the Air Board as air member for personnel. He left for England again in 1941. ' Before his appointment to the Permanent Air Force in New Zealand, he served five years with the Royal Air Force and five years in the New Zealand Territorial Air Force. He was also honorary aide-de-camp to the Governor-General. He was in command of the No. 75 Squadron when the Ruhr was being heavily bombed. . ' Promoted to group captain in June, 1942,' Air Commodore Olson took part in that month in the 1000-bomber raids on Cologne and in other heavy raids, ■% particularly against Lubeck. He received the D.S.O. in April. 1943. when he held the rank of group captain in England. . , . * Air Commodore,Olson’s Igst appointment in England was that of commander of the London headquarters of the R.N.Z.A.F. He relinquished that appointment and was repatriated to New Zealand on account of ill-health early this vear. . He' is survived by his wife and one young daughter. Outstanding Ability A tribute to Air Commodore Olson was paid this evening by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones). Air Commodore Olson was an officer oi outstanding ability, said the Minister. Early in the war, and while a member of the Air Board, his great desire was to proceed overseas and take part in active operations, mat opportunity was given him. and au knew the good work he did then, and later when he took over command of the 75th Bomber Squadron. He was decorated for his services He subseouently did excellent work as offlcpr commanding the London headquarters of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. “Air Commodore Olson is one or those to whom great credit is due in fostering aviation in the days before the war and subsequently, added the Minister. "He was the man who was held in the highest esteem by the vnung men he had trained, and by tne officers and men with whom he was associated, not only in the Dominion but overseas. The . ir Force and the country generally are a heavy loser by his passing. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his widow, family, and relatives.” .