N.Z. Contribution To Empire Air Training

Northern Advocate, 2 October 1944, Page 4

N.Z. Contribution To Empire Air Training

(P.A.f WELLINGTON, This Day. The closing down of the British Commonwealth air training plan marked the fulfilment of a vast military enterprise, the importance oi which could be measured by the growth and success of Empire aerial might, the Minister for Defence (Hon. F. Jones) said today when reviewing New Zealand’s contribution to the scheme.

He said that the total number of New Zealanders who had passed through Canada for air crew training was 7511. which was a good contribution for a small country. Since the scheme began, more than 100,000 airmen had been trained in Canada for flying duties. Of 7511 men who went to Canada from New Zealand, 5721 had graduated by the end of last May. Of these 4845 had been posted to the R.A.F., 113 were returning, or had returned to New Zealand for duty. Many others were undergoing operational training. In addition to these many hundreds of flying personnel had been trained in New Zealand. Train 11,529 Men T.he R.N.Z.A.F. had trained 11,529 men--..for flying duties. This total included those who trained completely in the Dominion and those who went to CanadaNfor further training. Tire majority of\these men had taken part in cperaticnsSagainst the enemy. Of 11,529 men trainee! 3652 were pilots who received all fjheir instruction in New Zealand. 291o|were pilots partly trained in New Zealand and partly in Canada, 4601 were Wireless operators, air gunners, navigators and air bombers trained partly iin New Zealand and partly in Canadta, and 366 were navigators and air gunners who trained in New Zealand “to ) meet Pacific requirements. ( Mr. Jones said that a thorough training was given an|l the speed with which schools maintained their output had enabled the Eiripire to build up a formidable aerial arany. The A.T.C. in New Zealand had hastened training anck reduced wastage by providing over 3Qa)O recruits, more than half of whom ’ went into the air crew section. Provision had been made for extension./ of the air training plan until next March, but the light- | ness of air crew Casualties during the invasion had enafjled the Empire to ] end the scheme fearlier. The Empire | air training plain would be remem- r bored for all tisne as one cf the r foundation stoneys of victory.