AIR FORCE REORGANIZATION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 282, 25 August 1944, Page 4

AIR FORCE REORGANIZATION

As was indicated in the Prime Minister’s, statement on Wednesday—though perhaps not sufficiently emphasized to make the position fully clear —the coming reorganization of the Royal New Zealand Air Force is part of a larger process of transition affecting Britain, Canada and Australia, as well as this Dominion. Recent information from Canada shows that the Empire Air. Training Scheme has substantially completed the great task for which it was established. More than 100,000 Empire air personnel have been trained in Canada, and the number of air crews sent to Britain, added to the number in the Royal Air Force, together with the large and still-expanding host of the American Air Force, are considered ample for the European needs of the Allies. The position, indeed, is. such that reference has been made to the accumulation of an impressive reserve in Britain, well in excess of what will be required to finish the war against Germany and her remaining European satellites. . In these circumstances it has become possible and, in fact, desirable to check the flow of Empire trainees through Canada. Apart from this, the policy adopted in Britain, now that the Allies are on the offensive and gaining ground rapidly, is to move, air force organization as a whole close up to the European fighting fronts. One of the most important considerations influencing, the Empire scheme was the necessity for establishing a great training base somewhere remote from any possibility of enemy attack or interference. At that time Britain was under threat of invasion and the Empire was on the defensive. The delays and great expense involved in setting up a safe Empire base were unavoidable. Today the picture is altogether different. The British Isles are secure, and much more than a foothold has been won in Europe. There is no longer need for an air centre far behind the British Empire fighting fronts. The policy to be followed by Australia and New Zea.and appeals to be similar to that of Britain. The remaining war. task of the R N.Z.A.F. will lie in the Pacific. In the Prime Minister s words, New Zealand has been “allocated increased responsibility, and for this purpose some 1200 fully-trained aircrew personnel will be required each year. It will now be necessary to train all these up f full operational standard in New Zealand.” This will place an im portant burden on the force in this country, but in the last two years facilities and equipment have been extended and improved, .and in addition the R.N.Z.A.F. has assembed instructors and technical experts possessing extensive experience of both training and active service. No doubt New Zealand flying conditions are similar in many respects to those of the larger Pacific Islands, in which case this country is as good a training ground as any for the purpose, and perhaps better than some. Obviously, too, there are special advantages by way of economy in cost and time to be gained under the new system. Finally, it should assist in the development of a selfcontained air defence organization on lines which must be made permanent in order that New Zealand may contribute adequately to the future peace and security of the Pacific.