NEW R.N.Z.A.F. SQUADRON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 20, 21 December 1944, Page 5

NEW R.N.Z.A.F. SQUADRON

YOUNG AND KEEN PILOTS

(R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service.) SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC, Dec. 18.

Allied air strength at a South-West P.'cific base has been increased by the airival from New Zealand of a new fiphter squadron equipped with Cor-r-irs. The R.N.Z.A.F. now operates in this area with both bomber and fighter squadrons under its command and the scope of its operations has been extended accordingly. The addition oF the New Zealand Corsairs will give added punch to the hammer-blows with which the Allies are striking at the enemy in this area. Every day United States and New Zealand aircraft are out over the Japanese positions in New Britain and New Ireland harassing the enemy garrisons and preventing by accurate bombing and strafing the further consolidation of their positions. In the Northern Solomons the aircraft of the Allied commands are waging the same sort of war against the c'ioraj strongholds on Bougainville and New Britain.

Since the Corsair pilot-: loft New Zealand a month ago they have been doing a little final training at Guadalcanal. Now they are ready and eager for action. They have . been assigned a number of tasks, including sweeps or, Japanese targets in New Ireland, with particular attention to Kawieng, at the northern tip of the island. The commanding officer of the Fighter Squadron is Squadron-Leader J. R. C. Kilian, Christehurch, whose flying experience goes back to 1934. Awarded the Croix do Guerre after distinguished service in Europe, he has served with both the R.A.F. and R.N.Z.A.F. In the European theatre he flew with a Spitfire squadron and is credited with the destruction of at least five German planes. His two flight commanders, Flight-Lieutenant J. L. Scott, Te Aroha, and FlightLieutenant J. E. Sanders, Oamaru, are both veterans of the Pacific war, having completed several tours. Of all the R.N.Z.A.F. squadrons which have seen si«rvice in the SouthWest Pacific, this is probably the youngest. Many of the pilots are very youthful. This is doubtless one reason for their keenness. Three are aged 19, seven are only 20, and the ap».'s of the others range from 21 to 23. FlrghtLieutenant Scott is 22, which must make him one of the youngest flight commanders in the R.N.Z.A.F. These are among the men who have been given the task of driving the Japanese From their jungle hide-outs. For though the Allies hold the upper hand in this part of tho South-West Pacific, the enemy clings tenaciously with his finger-tips to portions of the territory we occupy. Tt is the Allies' job to prise loose this hold and force the enemy into submission.