AIRMEN DEMOBILISED

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 July 1945, Page 5

AIRMEN DEMOBILISED

MINISTER’S ANNOUNCEMENT LARGE FORCE-REDUCTIONS WELLINGTON, July 23. An announcement that about 3000 air crew members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force serving with the Royal Aiir Force would be returning to New Zealand in the next few months, that about 2000 ground crew would be released from New Zealand stations, and that two South Island flying training stations would close was made to-day by the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones). He said that these changes would not reduce the full scale operations of the R.N.Z.A.F. in the Pacific. The Minister said that the tour of duty of R.N.Z.A.F. air crew attached to the R.A.F. was normally three years, or two tours of operations, and it had been anticipated that all of those who had not completed their full service would still be required to do so. In the last few days information had been received, how-' ever, that jhis would not now be necessary m all cases, because of the replanning of R.A.F.' requirements. Under arrangements concluded recently three New Zealand squadrons would remain with the R.A.F., plus a small number of air crew with operational experience whom the R.A.F. might still require. Two of the squadrons would undertake garrison duty in Europe- for a short period, after which they would also return to New Zealand. The third squadron, a heavy bomber unit, would join in the war against Japan under R.A.F. command. “The great majority of our airmen, therefore, to the number of some 3000, will be returning to New Zealand within the next few months, leaving about 1100 with the R.A.F.,’’ said Mr Jones, “This number will be still further reduced when the two squadrons in Europe are released." Referring to the future of air crews after their return, Mr Jones said that personnel with long operationel service would be released if they so desired. " A proportion, however, who had seen little or no operational flying, and whose training was suitable, would be available for service with the R.N.Z.A.F. in the Pacific. The further employment of the balance would be decided on their return according to the requirements of the service at the time. TRAINING SUSPENDED

The unexpected availability of trained air crew from Britain, including many suitable Lor use in the Pacific, will enable initial flying training in New Zealand to be suspended immediately,” said the Minister. “This will mean that approximately 500 men now awaiting or undergoing initial aircrew training in New Zealand, who have not yet reached a service flying training school or its equivalent, can be released for ground duties with the Air Force or service with the Army. Those trainees in this category who are under 20 years of age will be given the option of remaining in the Air Force on ground duties, or being released to civil life until stich time as they are liable for military service. While I regret that thege fine lads will be sadly disappointed at missing the opportunity of Hying overseas with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, there is unfortunately no justification for continuing with their training when their services are unlikely to be used in that capacity.” . Mr Jones said a further result of this development would be the closing of two flying .training stations in .the South Island and the early release of approximately 2000 ground crew from the Air Force. Operational flying schools in the North Island, which carried out operational training for the Pacific, would not be materially affected, as this training would still be required to maintain the Royal New Zealand Air Force effort against the Japanese. “Since no further aircrew recruits will! be required, the future of the Air Training Corps, which is the sole source of aircrew recruiting is being investigated,” the Minister concluded. An announcement as to the future policy of the A.T.C. will be made at an early date. STATIONS CLOSED WELLINGTON, July 24. The Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) announced to-day that Taieri Air Force station would be one of the , South Island stations to close, and the second one would be either Hare- • wood or Woodbourne. The matter was being investigated and an early aninouncement would be made regarding which was to close.