Dominion's New Governor-General

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 237, 7 October 1940, Page 6

Dominion's New GovernorGeneral

Notable Record of Air Achievement R.A.F. SWEARS BY HIM United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received Sunday, 7.20 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 5. One of the pioneers of the R.A.F. and tho holder of the 144th. flying license issued in England, Air Marshall Sir Cyril Newall (Governor-General designate of New Zealand), during his discussion with representatives of tho United Press ou the general war situation, revealed a clear intelligence and profound knowledge of the problems of aerial warfare which enabled him to outlast three chiofs of the Imperial General Staff and two First Sea Lords during three years’ membership of tho Chiefs of Staffs Committee. Three rows of ribbons illuminate his uniform on the left breast, on which the fading and discoloured wings give some indication of the length of service. His subordinates of the Air Ministry pay tribute to Sir Cyril Newall’s remarkable attention to detail and deplore the loss of the chief who guided the Air Force to the highest pinnacle of service it has yet achieved. The new Governor-General learnt to fly while on leave from the Indian Army in 1911, when he undertook a course at the Central Flying School, Bristol. He flew a Bristol box-kite plane which was described as being kept together by string, rubber bands, glue and nails. " It was capable of 60 miles an hour at an altitude of 3000 to 4000 feet. Sir Cyril Newall returned to India fired with a desire to initiate a similar flying school there, but encountered opposition. However, he persevered, and two years lated induced the authorities to lay the foundation for the school which had scarcely begun operations before war broke out. Sir Cyril Newall’s regiment went to France and he joined tho Royal Flying Corps as a flight commander. Ho was appointed in 1917 to command the 41st. Bombing Wing, which carried out an offensive against German objectives in order to counter air-raids against London. Sir Cyril Newall’s wing was the forerunner of the independent Air Force created in 1918, in which lie commanded the' Eighth Brigade. In 191 G Sir Cyril was awarded tho Albert Medal for conspicuous gallantry when a fire broke out inside a large R.A.F. bomb store containing 2000 high explosives. He led .i small party which extinguished tho flames. He told the United Press: “Although I am sorry to leave my present post I am tremendously honoured and pleased, particularly as my wife and I have always been interested in New Zealand and hoped for an opportunity of visiting it. As for the job here, I was always in favour of changes, especially when I have a successor like Air Marshal Portal, who is a first-rate fellow. I was greatly touched to receive a message of congratulation and greetings from Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, also from the Air Headquarters at Wellington. I am taking two daughters, aged 14 and 13, ana a sou aged 10. They aro delighted at the prospect. I am looking forward to meeting the people who are making such a noble contribution to the defeat of tho enemy. I am also eager for close association with tho defence forces, particularly tho Air Force, and desire to study .the defence problems at first hand, although tho works on the Chiefs of Staff Committee has given me an insight into the defence of the Empire ns a whole. I have never beforo beeu further east than Calcutta, although I once crossed the Equator by motor-car and several times by air.” Fishing, particularly flyfishing, is Sir Cyril’s principal hobby. He has never dono big-game fishing, but hopes to learn the art in New Zealand. He is also intensely interested in music and painting. The R.A.F. swears by Sir Cyril, whose command has always been personal—never that of an impersonal administrator. When the complete history is written of the R.A.F. after tho lost war it will also be a biography of Sir Cyril Newall. There are few aspects of it* growth in which ho has not had a ham:. He nursed the R.A.F. through its two most critical years. Both Marshals Newall and Portal aro great believers in offensive operations and both strongly maintain that the winning of the war will be greatly assisted by large-scale bombing of offensives throughout Germany. The Daily Mail says: “There is no muddle nor crushing defeat behind Sir Cyril Newall’s departure, lie has spent a lifetime flying and no man has relinquished the command of this fighting force at a moment of greater achievement.” The Times says: “Air Marshal Newall will take to New Zealand the good wishes of all ranks of the R.A.F, with whom ho is exceedingly popular. After his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff in 1937 he worked untiringly to make the R.A.F. tho finest Air Forco in the world. Ho has seen it grow out of all • knowledge both in size and efficiency. Ho retained command long enough to see his ambition achieved.” Sir Cyril Newall’s appointment has surprised aviation circles, who pay tribute to liis great tactical gifts and state that he has borne the brunt of organising tho R.A.F’s. struggle both for the defence of the Homeland and the hammering of Europe. One aeronautical authority declared that the modern R.A.F. is partly Air Marshal Newall’s creation. He was Chief of the Air Staff throughout the tremendous expansion and forged a formidable weapon.