FLYING VISITS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20858, 10 August 1942, Page 5

FLYING VISITS

MR. NASH ON TOUR NEW ZEALAND STATIONS GREETING BY SPITFIRES (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (2.30 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 7. Flying in perfect formation, a New Zealand Spitfire squadron greeted the New Zealand Minister to Washington, Mr. W. Nash, when he arrived by aeroplane over an aerodrome where New Zealand Hurricane night fighters are stationed. Led bv Squadron Leader R. Grant, D.F.M., of Auckland, the Spitfire squadron timed the meeting perfectly and Mr. Nash, looking out of the window of his aircraft, smiled his delight at this unusual welcome. The Spitfire squadron, who were at a satellite station, landed, and with the Hurricane pilots lunched with Mr. Nash It was literally a day of flying visits for Mr. Nash. Although afterwards it meant that he was working into the small hours of the morning, he left London before daybreak and flew first to a training station which has practically become a New Zealand operational training unit, and then flew on to meet the Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons. Finally he flew and met .the New Zealand bomber squadron and saw them being briefed for the raid on Duisberg. Air Commodore L. M. Isitt and Wing Commander F. R. Newell accompanied him. Mr. Nash met and shook hands with some 350 New Zealanders and will write to their parents. N.Z.’s Best Asset Calling first at a training unit, Mr. Nash met Wing Commander R. Maling, A.F.C., of Christchurch, and Pilot Officer Alan George, D.F.C, D.F.M., of Hawera. Wing Commander Maling recently completed six years in India, the latter part commanding a squadron of fighters at Calcutta. Mr. Nash warmly complimented Pilot Officer George on his decorations, particularly the D.F.C., which was announced only the previous day. The New Zealanders were congregated in a classroom, where Mr. Nash briefly addressed them. “The reputation .the New Zealanders have won in this war has been the best asset I have had in the United t.Sates,” he said. “While here in England you have made mv job a dozen times easier. It is good to be here and I do not want to make any more speeches.” While they met and lit cigarettes, Mr. Nash mingled with them, shaking hands and talking about their home towns and friends in New Zealand. Those he met included Squadron Leader D. R. Max, D.F.C., of Nelson, who has carried out over 50 raids and served in France, flying Fairy battle planes, and Pilot Officer F. Cramp, of Auckland, who operated over Norway.