AIR FORGE LOSSES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20649, 27 December 1941, Page 7

AIR FORGE LOSSES

PRESENT YEAJt’S TOTAL

FLYING IN NEW ZEALAND

The Royal New Zealand Air Force has lost 43 'men killed,"'and six missing, believed killed, as well'" as 30 injured, in mishaps involving 57 aircraft in the Dominion so far this year, according to published reports. Fatal accidents have occurred’in different parts of New Zealand, and there have been nine ' night-flying accidents. With air training in progress on an unprecedented scale in the' Dominion, preparing men both for direct entry into the Royal Air Force and for further instruction under the Empire air scheme in Canada, mishaps have been recorded at frequent intervals throughout the past year. There were four "serious mishaps in January, five men being killed and others injured, and in' February three more men were killed and four injured. March saw another three deaths, with five more men injured, and in April the totals were six' killed and three injured. Only two deaths were recorded in May, and there were three men injured. June was comparatively free from mishaps, one man losing his life and two suffering injuries. The figures in JUly were three killed and two injured, while in August three were killed and three injured. Another three men were killed in flying accidents in September. The total rose to five deaths in October, and in November one man ost his life, two others were reported missing, and more were hurt. So far, December, has been a bad . month, with eight deaths, four men. missing, ind two injured.