OVER RABAUL

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 61, 10 September 1945, Page 4

OVER RABAUL

R.N.Z.A.F. PARADE

SALUTE TO THE FALLEN

(R.N.Z.A.F. Official War Correspondent.)

JACQUINOT BAY, September 7. Unseen by those aboard the aircraftcarrier H.M.S. Glory at sea yesterday, RN.Z.A.F. Venturas played a part in trie surrender ceremony. While General Hitoshi Imamura was agreeing to the unconditional surrender of all he formerly controlled as commander of the Japanese South-east Army, RN.Z.A.F. bombers from No. 2 Squdron, based on Jacquinot Bay, staged a display over Rabaul. The parade was of aircraft known well to the Japanese in Rabaul since the latter part of 1943. They have taken an important part in bombing the strong Japanese military installations in and around Rabaul almost out of existence, and their show yesterday must have convinced the Japs, if any further convincing were needed, that they are well and truly beaten. As one of the early squadrons to arrive in the Pacific, it was fitting that No. 2 Squadron should have repre.sented the R.N.Z.A.F. on this occasion. The aircraft were commanded yesterday by Wing Commander K. G. King, of Lower Hutt. and the night commanders were Squadron Leader R. F. Watson, of Kumara. and Squadron Leader D. S. Hamilton, of Christchurch. , With No. 16 and No. 19 fighter squadrons, which also are based on Jacquinot Bay, the bombers in yesterday's display have been providing support for the Australian ground forces in New Britain. Corsairs from the fighter squadrons were scheduled to take part in the display, but the weather made that impossible. R.N.Z.A.F. flying-boats were represented by a Catalina, which kept careful watch over minesweepers which were working in Simpson Harbour. So over Rabaul yesterday members of the R.N.Z.A.F. took the opportunity to salute many of their comrades who lost their lives during the destruction of the fortress that had threatened the existence1 of their homeland.