N.Z. AIRMEN OVERSEAS

Grey River Argus, 16 December 1943, Page 3

N.Z. AIRMEN OVERSEAS

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS. P.A. WELLINGTON, Dec. 15. Recorded Christmas greetings to New Zealand airmen in Canada and in the Pacific, including a message from Air-Vice Marshal Isitt. have this week been flown from New Zealand to Canada to be broadcast over the national network of The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. On lines similar to recorded programmes sent to Canada earlier this year, the recordings include special selections by the R.N.Z.A.F. Band, singing by a specially trained choir of Maori W.A.A.F.S., and other items typical of New Zealand.

*, ‘During the last year, the R.N.Z. A.F. had much to do in the Pacific as well as increasing our effort in European theatres of war, and we have been hitting with ever increasing strength at the enemy,” said ViceMarshal Isitt in his greetings to the officers and men of the R.N.Z.A.F. stationed throughout Canada. ‘‘We have much to be proud of, and 1 know it is the ambition of everyone of vou to add still further to the traditions of our service. The training you are receiving in Canada will help you a long way alone- the road, and for this I know you join me in saying ‘thank you Canada.’ It is good to know our men have been so well looked after, and I want to sav that this thought will help to make our Christmas brighter—although our men are away from home, we know they have found a second home.” Paying a tribute to the training given New Zealanders by the Royal Canadian Air Force, Air Marshal Isitt emphasised the important part that thorough training played in successful air warfare, and said that the high success of the R.N.Z.A.F., in all forms of air operations should be regarded as a tribute to those responsible for training our air crews. “To New Zealand trainees, I say, work hard and be thorough—there are no short cuts to efficiency.” Prospects for the coming year are good, and their fulfilment is in the hands of your comrades. Good luck to ■'you an." A similar message was sent to R.N.Z.A.F. personnel in the Pacific.

CAPTIVE N.Z. AIRME.N.

ONE ESCAPES.

(Rec. 11.10.) LONDON, Dec 15. News of Captain Charles Upham, V.C., has been received in London from Sergeant R. J. MacKenzle, or Taitapu, who is at Stalpg Luft 111. He says: Captain Upham, T. White, M. Oliver, G. Parsons and W. Skegg are here for a few days. They came up for a brew with me. We fixed them’ up with cigarettes and tobacco/’’Sergeant MacKenzie added that mail from home had improved. , Squadron Leader J. F. C. Hayter, D.F.C.. of Nelson, Commanding Officer of the famous Seventy-four Spitfire Squadron, was taken prisoner on Cos. He was posted as missing. In a letter to his wife in London, formerly Miss Patricia Coote, ol Nelson, he savs he escaped and lived in the hills. Being a former farmer, he had little trouble in catching sheep. He added that he never had so much fun in his life, and lived on fresh mutton for six davs. Havter fought in France, later he led the Seventv-four Squadron in E?vpt and Syria. He also visited Persia, and spent five m°ntns in Turkey as Assistant-Air Attache. Advice received at Air Headquarters, Wellington, states Havter is now sate and well. He is with his unit.