N.Z. AIRMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 150, 26 June 1943, Page 6

N.Z. AIRMEN

FIGHTERS IN PACIFIC

AMERICAN PRAISE "Royal New Zealand Air Force fighters have performed magnificently in recent mass engagements in the Solomons, proving again that man for man they are as dangerous to the enemy in the air as the. Axis have found them to be on the ground. Their performance inspires fear among the Japs and admiration from their American allies. We are proud to have them as comrades in arms." This message has been sent by ViceAdmiral Aubrey Fitch,. UCS.N., ■ Commander, Aircraft, South Pacific, to AitVice Marshal R. V. Goddard, Chief of the New Zealand Air Staff, following the recent successful actions by New Zealand fighter squadrons ; operating from Guadalcanal,-in which 14 enemy aircraft were shot down for the loss of one of our fighters. . la releasing Vice-Admirai Fitch's message, for publication today, the Prime Minister (Mr..Fraser) said that the Air Officer commanding No. .1 i (Islands) Groupi R.N.Z.A.F., Air.Commodore S. Wallingford, had been requested to express personally to' Vice Fitch appreciation, .for his generous praise and an assurance that the Royal New Zealand Air Force looked forward to continued .and increasing participation in the Battle of the Islands with their American comi rades whose constant help and encouragement had been of the greatest ■ value to our. squadrons and whose bril- ! liant successes in action had inspired i the admiration and ■ emulation of our own.men. ' ' .