AIR FORCE REORGANIZATION

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 4, 29 September 1944, Page 4

AIR FORCE REORGANIZATION

Four Additional Stations To Be Closed; Smaller Units To Amalgamate RELEASE OF FURTHER PERSONNEL Future Training For Pacific Service Only

Four additional Air Force stations are to be closed, smaller units are to be amalgamated, and a further 2400 officers, airmen and W.A.A.F.’s of administrative and ground staffs are to be released as further steps in the reorganization of the Royal New Zealand Air Force following the improved war situation in Europe. This announcement was made last night by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, who said that some aircrew trainees would also be affected.

“The recent decision to send no more aircrew personnel to Canada has now been followed, by a request from the United Kingdom Government that no further trainees should be sent direct from New Zealand to the Royal Air Force,” said Mr. Jones. “This will entail a substantial reduction in ILN.Z. A.F. training establishments, as only a fraction of the multi-engined bomber personnel previously being trained for the Royal Air Force can be absorbed in the Pacific. . , , - “Advice has been received from tne United Kingdom Government within the last few days concerning the future requirements of the Royal Air Force m relation to the war in Europe and in the Pacific,” added the Minister, “and an agreement has been reached involving the concentration in future for the R.N.Z.. A.F training for Pacific service only. As was announced recently. New Zealand is no longer sending personnel to Canada for training, and we have been advised that in view of the improved war situation we shall not be required to send further drafts of trained personnel direct to the United Kingdom.” Training Organization.

The Minister explained that this would have an important effect on the training organization of the R.N.Z.A.F.. “Previously we were sending substantial numbers of multi-engined bomber personnel to the R.A.F.,” he added. “The training of these pilots particularly occupied a considerable part of our training, organ: ization, and though we are following the general plan of diverting our training output to the Pacific, it is not possible tn this case. ' , “Our twin-engined bomber personnel requirements in the Pacific are only a fraction of those being trained for the Royal Air Force, and as we shall have, no further commitments in this direction it is possible to reduce training and related establishments accordingly.” Mr. Jones said there were approximately 2400 aircrew personnel in various stages of training in New Zealand of whom some would now become surplus, chiefly those intended for the Royal. Air Force and now in excess of twin-engined bomber requirements in the Pacific; while others, not yet in actual flying training, were over the new age limits for aircrew categories. Some surplus personnel would be posted to the reserve and temporarily made available for industry pending possible future recall. Others would be given the opportunity of entering Air Force ground trades, otherwise they would be released to the army or. industry. This would not affect fighter pilots now receiving flying training as there would be a continuing need for such pilots in the Pacific. Requirements for Pacific. “Each case will be considered on the individual circumstances,” said the Minister, “and much will depend on the development of the war situation. We shall still require a total of approximately 1200 per annum of all categories of aircrew for the Pacific, but it will be seen that these new decisions will necessitate a further reorganization of the R.N.Z.A.F. It has therefore been decided that in addition to the two stations, Gisborne and Seagrove, which were previous-

ly placed on a care and maintenance basis, the Air Force stations Delta, Ashburton, Tauranga and Levin are to be closed down. Other units are to be amalgamated. This will throw a greater burden on other stations, but it will result in a decided economy in tion. Approximately 1600 officers, airmen and W.A.A.F.’s of administrative and ground staffs were released during the last month, and under the new plan a further 2400. will be progressively, released. The classification of personnel for release according to age, ■ family responsibilities, medical status, and industrial requirements is at present under action. Our objective is to produce the maximum 'benefit to the,war effort in the most efficient way, while at the same time providing for an equitable distribution of the burdens of military service. In this connexion it may be mentioned that steps have been taken for the return to New Zealand of personnel who have been serving overseas with the Royal Air Force for three or more years. The problem is really one of shipping, but every effort is being made to expedite the return of thege men.” , . 1 . Commitments of R.N.Z.A.F.

Discussing the commitments of the R.N.Z.A.F. in the Pacific, the Minister revealed that for replacement purposes three men were required in New Zealand for every two men in the Pacific. Though replacement personnel, in New Zealand were absorbed in" training administration, overhaul, maintenance, supply and similar establishments, they did not make up' the whole total, which included several thousands more. “It may ’be surprising and gratifying to the public to know,” continued the Minister, “that we have in New Zealand and the Pacific only about. eight men on the ground to one in the air. This compares most favourably with any other air force. Though comparisons have been drawn between the size of the R.N.Z.AjF. in the Pacific and the strength in New Zealand it has to be remembered that there are several important factors to consider. including increases in the Pacific. Under the Pacific rotational service scheme personnel, particularly air crews, have comparatively short, tours of duty overseas before returning to New Zealand for rest and re-forming. This naturally increases the strength of our home establishments, though they should rightly be rgarded as active service personnel. Put in another way, if we used some Pacific base instead of New Zealand as the centre for rest, re-forming, overhaul, supplies and related administration, we could make great reductions in our home establishments, but only by sending many thousands more overseas. It is considered that the present, system is preferable. , “Apart from these aspects of the general reorganization of the R.N.Z.A.F. I realize how disappointed many lads will be at not now having the opportunity of coming to grips with the enemy in Europe. lam sure they would have carried the tradition of the air force to even greater heights had the demand . been made. However, the present position of the war makes such decisions inevitable, and while we may sympathize with these lads we can be thankful that the new situation really marks a milestone along the road, to victory. It will, however, not lessen the gratitude we feel.”