AIR CASUALTIES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24985, 20 September 1946, Page 5

AIR CASUALTIES

TOTAL OF 3610 RECORDED

DECORATIONS LISTED Total casualties in the R.N.Z.A.F. of 1810 up to March last are reported in the annual report of the Air Department The analysis is:—killed or prefumed dead, 3534; missing believed killed, 5; missing, 71. The total includes casualties to 317 New Zealanders serving with the RAF. Fatal accidents in New Zealand since the outbreak of war are reported to be 20, of which 53 were motor or notifying • accidents. Deaths totalled 426 in New Zealand. 101 being due to natural causes. Of the total of 1559 awards to March last 1317 awards were won by personnel of the R.N.Z.A.F. and 242 by New Zealanders serving as members of the RAF. In addition, 248 were mentioned in dispatches and 26 were commended. The awards included: Victoria Cross, 3; bar to D. 5.0., 4; D. 5.0., 71; Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, 5; Military Cross, 2: second bar to D.F.C., 4; bar to D.F.C., 79; DF.C., 1008; bar to D.F.M., 1; DF.M n 177; George Medal. 6;* bar to AJ.C., 2; A.F.C., 92; A.F.M., 5? 8.E.M., ft M.M., 3; American D.F.C., 16; U.S. Air Medal, 18; U.S. Legion of Merit, 5; Polish Virtute Militari, 2; Croix de Guerre (French), 5, (Belgian) 1; Order of Lenin, 1; Order of Crown of Jugoslavia, 2; White Eagle of Jugoslavia, 1; Czech War Cross, 1; Norwegian War Cross, 1. A total of 81 honours were panted to the KN.Z.A.F. from the ouU break of war, the awards being:— C. 8.. 13; C.8.E.. 8: '''.BE.. 25: 46.