AIR FORCE CASUALTIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 August 1943, Page 4

AIR FORCE CASUALTIES

OVER 2000 TO MARCH.

WELLINGTON, August 17. Casualties to New Zealand air personnel serving overseas from the outbreak of war to March 31, 1943, total 2001, according to figures published in the annual report of the Air Department, presented in the House of Representatives to-day. Deaths in New Zealand among air personnel for the same period total 212, and of this number 165 were duo to flying accidents.

Classification of overseas casualties since the start of the war to March 31 last is as follows, with the increase over the figures up to the end of March 31, 1942, in parentheses: killed 1206 (677); missing, believed killed, 175 (124); missing, 307 (172); prisoner of war or interned, 287 (115); missing, believed prisoner of war, 26 (20). In addition, 66 personnel have been reported seriously injured or ill and remained on the list at March 31 last. During the year ended March 31 last, 76 lives were lost in New Zealand in 38 flying accidents, the total deaths since the outbreak of war through this cause being 165. Other aircraft accidents accounted for four deaths, motor and other non-flying accidents for 22 deaths, and natural causes for 21 deaths, including two W.A.A.F. members.

THE LATEST LIST

WELLINGTON, August 18.

The following air casualties were reported to-day (all R.N.Z.A.F. and rank sergeant unless otherwise stated) : — Killed on active service: Chapman, Flving Officer Robert Eric (Nelson). Guild, Flying Officer Colin Trevenna (Christchurch). Missing, believed killed on active service: Knox, Flight Lieutenant Ewen Samuel. R.A.F. (Ashburton). Missing on air operations: Baker, Pilot Officer Charles Grindle (Wellington). Eadv Flying Officer Vivian Roberts (Auckland). Lankshear, William Clement (Levin), Lorme, Flight Sergeant Ronald William (Auckland). McDougall, John Robert (West Plains, Southland). Rutherford, Flight Lieutenant Wilfred (Christchurch). Scott, Desmond Francis (Wellington). Smith, Leslie Gordon (Taumarunui). Previously reported missing, death now officially presumed: O’Donnell, Flying Officer David Keith (Wanganui) .