AIR FORCE CHIEF

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21152, 21 July 1943, Page 4

AIR FORCE CHIEF

N.Z. OFFICER CHOSEN

VICE-MARSHAL ISITT

COM. JARMAN DEPUTY

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 21. An announcement of the promotion of Air Commodore L. M. Isitt to the temporary rank of air vice-marshal and his appointment to flic post of Chief of flic Air Staff in the Air Department and air officer commanding the Royal New Zealand Air Forces in succession to Air Vice-Marshal R. V. Goddard, who now reverts to the Royal Air Force on the expiry of his ucriod of loan, was made by ihe Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon . P. Fraser, last night. This is the first time, stated the Prime Minister, that tlie post of Chief of the Air Stall’ lias been held by a New Zealand officer, and Air Vice-Marshal Isitt was to be congratulated on his thoroughly well deserved appointment. The new Chief of Air Stall’ has been associated with the air force in Now Zealand since its inception, and since 1940 had been overseas as the Dominion’s representative in Canada in connection with the Empire air training scheme. He had also served ip Washington as air attache at the Legation and, before returning to New Zealand this year, had undertaken a Lour of duty in the United Kingdom. Mr. Fraser also announced that Air Commodore G. T. Jarman, Royal Air Force, had now assumed? s the post of deputy Chief of the Air Staff vacated by Air Vice-Marshal Isitt.

Air Commodore Jarman was a New Zealander who had been a member of the Royal Air Force since December. 1930, and had given very distinguished war service in the Bomber Command. He was now loaned to the Royal New

Air Vice-Marslial Isitt Zealand Air Force, which had always benefited from its close association with the Royal Air Force. This benefit had not merely taken the form of the interchange and loan of personnel, but. our operational squadrons and the whole organisation had been continually assisted by the close collaboration between the Air Department and the Air Ministry. ■Retiring: Chief Praised

“I would like to lake this opportunity,” said Mr. Fraser, “to pay a warm and sincere tribute to the retiring Chief of Air Stall', Air ViceMarshal Goddard, who, like his predecessors from the Royal Air Force, has rendered most valuable and outstanding service to the Dominion. The period that Air Vice-Marshal Goddard has been in command has been one of major developments, both in regard to the equipment of squadrons for operational duties in the forward area and in the extension of the local training organisation and the organisation of -squadrons to take part in active operations.

The entry of Japan into the wav and the extension of operations info the south Pacific created an entirely new situation as regards air defence and the air policy of New Zealand, and it was Air Vice-Marshal Goddard's •task to meet and surmount the rapidly changing circumstances which have marked the period since December, 1941, and this he did in a conspicuously able and successful manner. The form and impetus of the expansion which has taken place in the air force is due in a great measure to his resourcefulness and energy and to the excellent relation:; he established with the American authorities both in the Pacific and Washington. Air Vice-Marshal Goddard’s advice and assistance at all •times has been of the utmost value to the War Cabinet and the Government, who .extend to him the warmest thanks and good wishes,” concluded Mr. F''ase".