SUNDERLANDS' TRIP

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 135, 5 December 1944, Page 7

SUNDERLANDS' TRIP

CO-OPERATION OF THE U.S.A. P.A. AUCKLAND, Deceiftber 4. The wonderful co-operation between the Royal Air Force Transport Command and the • American Transport Command was the outstanding impression gained on the flight . from Great Britain to New Zealand, said Wing Commander D. W. Baird, who commanded the flight of Short Sunderlands that arrived on Saturday. He commented that an observer would literally think they were the same organisation, so neatly had the functions of the British and American bases been dovetailed.

The Americans were very kind and hospitable, Wing Commander Baird added. He had met men everywhere who had either passed through Auckland or been sent there on leave after service in the Pacific. They all agreed that they had had a wonderful time in New Zealand and were fully' conversant with the Dominion's war record. Their pleasant memories of the country might have had something to do with the warm reception the flight received, but in addition there was a lively spirit of helpfulness that was itself a good augury for the future. - Referring to the trip, Wing Commander Baird said the Sunderlands flew in pairs to assist each other in maintenance but navigated independently. Each aircraft carried 1500 lb of spares, but they had stood up so well that only lib was used on the trip. The mishap near Whangarei was unfortunate at the end of so long a flight, but the result had been happier than might have "been expected. He paid a tribute to the Dalmatian fishermen, the crew of the launch St. George,. which towed the Sunderland that landed on the sea into the shelter of Urquhart's Bay. Crews usually had to be especially trained to tow flyingboats, and the boat might well have been lost if it had not been for the skill of the launohmen.