New Zealand Airmen Have Performed Magnificently

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 151, 28 June 1943, Page 4

New Zealand Airmen Have Performed Magnificently

AMERICANS PROUD TO HAVE THEM AS COMRADES Per Tress Association. WELLINGTON, June 26. Complimentary reference to the work of the New Zealand fighter squadron! operating from Guadalcanar, where they have shot down 14 enemy aircraft for the loss of one of their own, made by Vice-Admiral Fitch, the United States Navy commander of aircraft im the South Pacific, was quoted by the Prime Minister to-day. Vice-Admiral Fitch has sent the fol« lowing message to the Chief of Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal Goddard)! “R.N.Z.A.F. fighters have performed magnificently in recent mass engagements in the Solomons, proving again that man for man they are as daugcroue to the enemy in the air as the Axis hat found them to be on the ground. Their performance inspires fear among tht Japanese and admiration from their American Allies. We arc proud to havt them as comrades in arms.” The air officer commanding Number One (islands) group of the R.N.Z.A.F. (air-Commodore 6. Wallingford) hat been requested to express personally to Vice-Admiral Fitch appreciation of hit generous praise and the assurance that the Royal New r Zealand Air Force lookt forward to continued and increasing participation in the Battle ol* the Islands with tbeir American comrades, whose constant help and encouragement have been of the greatest value to our squadrons, and whose brilliant success* es in action have inspired the admire tion and emulation of our own men.