100 MARK REACHED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 117, 12 February 1944, Page 7

100 MARK REACHED

R.N.Z.A.F. Score In Pacific EFFECTIVE WEAPON The Royal New Zealand Air Force operating in the South Pacific has in a combat over Rabaul brought its total of Japanese aircraft destroyed to 100. In addition, 13 have been listed as “probables,” with many more 'damaged. Announcing 'this last night, the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, said that New Zealand Warhawk fighters had shot flown the majority of these aircraft, though several had been d'estroyed by New Zealand bombers.

“The suce'ess of our aircraft,” said Mr. Jones, “will be considered the more notable when it is realized that ■ the actions in which these Japanese aircraft have been destroyed have mostly taken place in the last seven months, and that, With the growing strength of the R,N.Z.A.F. in the Pacific, the average of the last two months has been much greater than the earlier average. During this period, our aircraft have taken part in almost all of the major operations in the Solomons and the Rabaul area. Their efforts have been warmly praised by high officers of the United States forces.

“Sixty-five R.N.Z.A.F. pilots and gunners have shared in the destruction of the 100 Japanese aircraft. Nine of these have three or more to their credit. The highest score for one day was 15 —on December 24, 1943. On this occasion 12 enemy" aircraft were destroyed by our Warhawks and three by one of our Ventura bombers. “Our losses,” added the Minister, "have been very Small in comparison. Indeed, the balance-sheet of the R.N.Z.A.F. in the Pacific presents . a most encouraging picture, and it demon-' strates clearly that we have produced in the R.N.Z.A.F. a most effective weapon against the Japanese.”