Former N.Z Air Chief Visiting Dominion

Northern Advocate, 24 August 1945, Page 4

Former N.Z Air Chief Visiting Dominion

(Special). WELLINGTON, This Day. New Zealand’s first Chief of the Air Staff and a man who played an Imporl.nnt part in the development of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Air Marshal the Hon. Sir • Ralph Cochrane, air officer Commanding the Royal Air Force Transport Command, arrived at Ohakea yesterday afternoon from Sydney on Transport "Command business. Air Marshal Cochrane came to Ihe Dominion in 193 G by arrangement between the New Zealand and United Kingdom Governments to report and advise on New Zealand's air defence problems. His recommendations were the basis for legislation embodied in the Air Force Act, 1937, and the Air Department Act. 1937, which provided for the organisation and development of the Air Force as a separate branch of the defence forces of New Zealand. The Air Department was established and moulded closely from the pattern of the British Air Ministry, and Air Marshal Cochrane remained in New Zealand as Chief of the Air Staff. Early in 1939, Air Marshal Cochrane returned to England. During the war his duties included the post of Director of Flying Training at the Air Ministry, London, and command of various bomber groups. He was mentioned in despatches in 1943. Early this year he succeeded Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhill as air officer commanding the Transport Command. Air Marshal Cochrane’s career has been most distinguished. The third son of Baron Cochrane of Cults, he transferred from the Royal Navy to the Royal Flying Corps during the last war and was then commissioned in the R.A.F. Part of his service was in airships. His duties after the war took him to Egypt Palestine, Irak and Aden. He reached the rank of wing commander in 1933 and after he had passed through the Imperial Defence College in 1935 his wide experience and ability and leadership made him well fitted for his important assignment in New Zealand.