TO BE RELIEVED

Evening Star, Issue 25948, 13 November 1946, Page 6

TO BE RELIEVED

HO. 14 FIGHTER SQUADRON ARRANSEMEKTB FOR RIPLAMHENT Arrangements for the relief of personnel serving with No. 14 Fighter Squadron in Japan were announced by the Minister of Defence (Hon. F, Jones) this morning. “ The opportunity to volunteer for service in Japan was recently extended to serving personnel in the R.N.Z.A.F., and resulted, in approximately 500 applications being received. In addition a number of airmen have volunteered to remain in Japan for, a further year’s extended, service,” said the Minister! It was intended to utilise the Dakota, aircraft operating on the normal weekly service to Japan to carry out the repatriation and replacement programme. The route at present on the service to Japan provided for overnight stoppages at Norfolk Island, .Brisbane, Cloncurry, Darwin, Morotai Island (North-west of New Guinea), Samar, (Philippine Islands), and Okinawa, Two day’s rest period were observed on the trip, one m Australia, and the other' in the Philippines. “ The first draft of replacements will probably depart from New Zealand before the end of this month, and it is expected, that the first draft'of airmen from No. 14 Squadron will arrive at Whenuapai in the first week of December,” went on Mr Jones. “ The relief plan will operate until March,' 1947, when all members of the Squadron who do not desire extended service in Japan:, will have been repatriated.” It would be recalled that the squadron, which is composed entirely of volunteers, left New Zealand in March, 1946, aboard H.M.S. Glory, an aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy, the conditions of service, providing for the, men to be repatriated within one year, “To cater for ex-members of the R.N.Z.A.F. in regard to service with the occupation squadron, it is proposed,” said Mr Jones, “to give them the opportunity .to apply ■ for service in No. 14 Squadron, and those selected will be included in the replacement drafts. to he sent overseas between January and March next.” In extending this opportunity to reservists, Mr Jones stated that notwithstanding the excellent response from serving members, there would be opportunity for skilled Air Force tradesmen in civilian life to be included in the relief force. These men would be re-enlisted primarily for service up to 12 months m Japan, but they would, if desired, also be eligible for regular service in the' R.N.Z.A.F. “ As it is proposed to complete selections for tlie replacement draft within the next few weeks, all intending applicants should notify the Air Secretary as Boon as possible,” concluded Mr Jones.