Return of Airmen from Forward Pacific Area

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 277, 23 November 1945, Page 7

Return of Airmen from Forward Pacific Area

(Per Press Association) , WELLINGTON, Nov. 21. “All R.N.Z.A.F. .operational squadrons have been withdrawn from the forward Pacific area and have now returned to New Zealand," said the Minister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones) today. Since the beginning of August nearly 6000 R.N.Z.A.F. personnel had been brought back to the Dominion from Pacific bases, the Minister added. Only 6mali parties remained in the area and they were engaged solely in guarding equipment and servicing the R.N.Z.A.F. aircraft which were being used to transport R.N.Z.A.F. personnel to New Zealand on repatriation. There were parties at Jacquinot Bay (in New Britain), Los Negros (in the Admiralty Islands), Bougainville and Guadalcanal (in the Solomons), Espirito Santos and New Caledonia.

"The removal of this equipment for return to New Zealand is dependent on the shipping available," the Minister continued, "and until the equipment can be moved, it will be necessary to retain those small parties, as well as a small headquarters staff to administer them and generally look after their welfare."

With the withdrawal of the operational squadrons, the necessity for retaining the New Zealand Air Task Force organisation fiad disappeared and the staff had been progressively reduced to five officers. The name of this unit would be changed to the Islands Group Headquarters and would be based at Lauthala Bay, Fiji, where there is a complete R.N.Z.A.F. station.

"When all personnel and equipment have been brought back from the forward area, this headquarters will disband,” said the Minister. "It is antipated that this will take place within the next two or three months."

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