IN ACTION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 145, 16 December 1942, Page 5

IN ACTION

R.N.Z.A.F. IN PACIFIC

HISTORIC OCCASION

"I am at liberty," the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) said today, "to disclose that the R.N.Z.A.F. has taken a further step forward in the operational zone of the South Pacific area and has recently been engaged in active operations against the Japanese. "In general conformity with the Government's policy that the best defence is offence, and that the Royal New Zealand Air Force should play its part in the closest co-operation with the American Forces in the South Pacific area, we have in recent months increased the number of our squadrons in the islands at the request of the Commander, South Pacific Force. Our bomber reconnaissance squadrons in the islands have been engaged in the arduous and exacting duties of extended reconnaissance over strategic areas between and beyond the belt of islands to the north. It is, I am sure, a matter of gratification to the Air Force, and of pride to New Zealand, that we now have news of our airmen having been engaged in action against the Japanese. > "This is a historical occasion for New Zealand. It is the first time that airmen direct from New Zealand have fought against the enemy in the direct defence of their homeland. ATTACK AND DEFENCE. "The primary function of bomber reconnaissance squadrons is to search for the enemy and to send information upon which offensive action can be taken by other forces. It is not normally their role to engage in specifically offensive actions. But if, and when, the circumstances require it, the reconnaissance aircraft has the means both for attack and defence." The Minister said that he had as yet no official information of the nature of the actions in which our aircraft had ben engaged, but that he had seen unofficial Press releases which showed that, apart from valuable reconnaissance activities, our aircraft had had several brushes with the enemy. "No doubt fuller information will be available in due course," said the Minister, "but we must not expect such information to be released by the American authorities while any probability remains that the information given might be of assistance to the enemy. "The New Zealand Squadron at 'Henderson Field,' as it is generally known," concluded the Minister, "is commanded by Squadron Leader G. H. Fisher, R.N.Z.A.F., and has been operating from Guadalcanal for the past few weks."