NEW ZEALAND’S PART

Grey River Argus, 31 October 1942, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND’S PART

In Pacific Operations

WELLINGTON. October 30,

An interesting outline of the part I New Zealand is playing in the de- j fence of the South Pacific was given 1 by the Minister of Defence ( Mi | Jones) in an interview to-day. He stated that when the Pacific Ocean area was divided into strategic zones of command, the South Pacific area, including New Zealand and various groups of islands to the north were placed under the command of Vice-Admiral Ghormley, who has now been superseded by Vice-Ad-miral Halsey.' At that time, the,command rf the major units of the Royal New Zealand Navy was transferred to the American command, but squadrons of the Royal New Zealand Air 'Force remained outside the American command, except those squadrons located in the Pacific Islands to north of New Zealand, which came under the command of Rear-Admiral I McCain, who has now assumed command of the aeronautics bureau i** the New Zealand Department, Wash- ; ingtoh, and is replaced by Rear-Ad-miral A. D. Fitch. Major-General D. Harmon assumed command of the Unite’d States Army forces in the South Pacific area including that of the United States Army Air Force, while Admiral Fitch is primarily responsible for all air operations In .conjunction with naval operations. Major-General Harmon is more directly concerned with certain of NevV Zealand air squadrons, from the administrative point of view.

' The Minister added that as the re- * suit of the substantial expansion of ’ the R.N.Z.A.F. during the past year - New Zealand had been able to send 1 a number of squadrons for service J with the American forces in the for- I ward areas. Certain squadrons were ■ located in Fiji and others in otbe! ■ islands. These were principally oft. rH bomber reconnaissance type. H Referring to the problems of com -H mand, Mr Jones said he welcometß the recent decision that squadrons < B the R.N.Z.A.F. assigned for opera tions in the South Pacific, should b<-]H placed under American comman M This did not affect the responsibili’ M of the Air Department for the a H defence of New Zealand and th M Chief of Air Staff. Air Commodor *B R. V. Goddard, still remained re-■ sponsible' for the efficiency and oper-H ation of the air defence in the Do-H minion, but placing our squadrons■ under American command involved ■ the appointment of an air command ■ er to complete the chain of comman, B and in addition to his appointmen B as Chief cf the Air Staff Commodor B

Goddard had been appointed Com I mander of the New Zealand Air’ Forces. Mr Jones added that the New Zea- I land Army, like the air force, also j with the agreement of the Government, passed under American command, but this did not affect the development of the army, and’ its ' equipment.to the same extent as the R N.Z.A.F. , P . . It will be well understood, said Mr Jones, however, that the movement of New Zealand forces of all three , services out of New Zealand, for any new commitment, was a matter requiring the approval of the New Zealand Government. He gave an' assurance that information would not be withheld from the public of the engagement of New Zealand forces in the South Pacific operations 1 . At present, our forces were' not engaged but he had no doubt oik* reconnaissance aircraft were operating in or near some of the recent enemy operations. (