THE R.N.Z.A.F.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 77, 27 September 1941, Page 11

THE R.N.Z.A.F.

FLYING RECORD

RECONNAISSANCE DUTIES

YEAR REVIEWED

"During the past year the Air Force has flown nearly 200,000 hours, or a distance of more than 800 times round the world, and the maintenance of'aircraft has involved about a . million man-hours in the fitter and rigger trades alone," states the annual report of the New Zealand Air Department, which has been placed before Parliament.

The report contains a resume of reconnaissance duties carried out over New Zealand waters. "During the year," the report states, "No. 1 General Reconnaissance Squadron (Auckland) has played an important part in the protection of shipping in the approaches to the main ports and in other focal areas, and has carried out numerous patrols and searches. It has'also provided escorts for specially important shipping. Routine operational training has been maintained and has reached a high standard of efficiency. A flight of this unit is now operating from an advanced landing field which has recently been equipped as an advanced operational base.

"No. 2 General Reconnaissance Squadron (Wellington) was formed on January 1, 1941, and a detached flight of this squadron was formed oh March 1, 1941. To date the unit has been employed mainly on operational training, but has on a number of occasions?" carried out reconnaissance duties in the Cook Strait area." s

Reference is also made to the formation of a No. 3 General Reconnaissance Squadron (South Island), with a detached flight operating from an advanced landing ground. It is also mentioned that in addition to the work carried out by Nos. 1 and 2 General Reconnaissance Squadrons, the service flying training schools at Wigram, Woodbourne, and Ohakea have been called upon "ron. time to time to provide aircraft for reconnaissance duties.