FOUR SQUADRONS COMMENDED

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24591, 13 June 1945, Page 5

FOUR SQUADRONS COMMENDED

WORK OF R.N.Z.A.F. PILOTS AMERICAN GENERAL'S TRIBUTE (R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service) WELLINGTON, May 31. Four squadrons of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, which have completed operational tours of duty against the Japanese in the Bismarck Archipelago, have received commendations from the commander of aircraft in the Northern Solomons, Major-General R. J. Mitchell, United States Marine Corps. The units commended are No. 3 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron, No. 4 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron, No. 19 Fighter Squadron, and No. 22 Fighter Squadron. Expressing appreciation of "meritorious performance of duty," the citation to the commendation addressed to No. 3 Squadron states that during the tour of duty under review the squadron flew 115 missions against the enemy, and was the first New Zealand squadron to operate from Emirau. The dawn and dusk patrols and ocean searches carried out were of valuable aid to the Allied forces in keeping the airfields, supply dumps, bivouac areas and barge movements of the enemy on New Ireland neutralised. "Many of these flights," adds the citation, "necessitated flying through treacherous tropical storms and fronts, but the excellent airmanship and judgment of the pilots and crews continued in bringing their planes safely home and in maintaining.good target coverage. Skilled- co-ordination of tactics and superior airmanship resulted in the highly successful strikes, both medium and low altitude, carried out by the squadron on selected targets and in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. On one strike at Fanapai in which the squadron commander's aircraft was badly hit by anti-aircraft fire and a crew member wounded, the tail gunner in turn killed the crew of the entrenched anti-aircraft position." Major-General Mitchell describes the work of No. 4 Squadron as "a valuable contribution to the success of our forces in this area." flis citation of commendation records that the, squadron flew a total of 534 missions involving 2025 flying hours, and gathered important information on enemy installations by excellent photographic coverage. "The high sense of co-ordination dis-! played on strikes was a contributing factor in the neutralisation of enemy airstrips as well as in the destruction) inflicted on supply dumps, motor parks and bivouac areas," adds MajorGeneral Mitchell. In his tribute to No. 22 Squadron Major-General Mitchell states that ex-l cellent airmanship and accurate marks-1 manship resulted in the devastation of many enemy installations. In 381 missions involving 2501 flying hours, the squadron carried out important dawn to dusk patrols over New Ireland and provided Dumbo with cover. "Superb co-ordination of tactics was displayed by an eight aircraft strike in conjunction with 15 PBJ's on Balgai bivouac area," adds the citation. "Thi precise timing and excellent hits on the target by No. 22 Squadron's spearhead attack displayed their fine teamwork and capabilities." Engaging in 399 missions, No. 19 Squadron's Kawieng patrols were "an important factor in keeping the airfields and heavy enemy concentrations of strongly defended Kawieng Peninsula neutralised," says Major-General Mitchell. "When the Marine fighter squadrons were withdrawn from Emirau the entire responsibility for these tasks fell to No. 19 Squadron, who carried out the additional duties with excellent efficiency. "Another of the squadron's tasks was to provide Dumbo with an escort when covering strikes, or on special flights and searches. On their fighterbomber and strafing missions, the squadron encountered intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, yet pressed home their attacks with determination! and devastating accuracy."