Strong Campaign Needed To Build Up Air Force.

Northern Advocate, 5 August 1949, Page 7

Strong Campaign Needed To Build Up Air Force.

WELLINGTON, Fri. (Sp.).—“The RNZAF has . emerged from the abnormal and unstable conditions of the interim period depleted in trained manpower and vested with three main commitments. “These are training members up to the high standards of efficiency demanded of a modern fighting service, continuing to fulfil operational tasks, and reorganising practically all phases of air force administration to meet modern needs.” The Chief of the Air Staff (Air Vice Marshal A. de T. Nevill) states this in his annual report tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday. . ~ multitude of duties forming the after-

“These three interdependent tasks have placed a considerable burden on the RNZAF in view of,the shortage of trained manpower," he continues. “Efforts to attract recruits of suitable calibre have met with only partial success, and a vigorous recruiting campaign must be pursued in the coming year to attract the right type of young New Zealander as soon as he leaves school.” The report adds that the RNZAF reached its lowest point in effective strength in March, 1948. Although recruiting in the ensuing 12 months resulted in the enlistment of 870 recruits, nearly all untrained, releases during the same period amounted to 731 trained personnel. INCREASE IN STRENGTH The result was that the technical capacity of the service was further reduced and the alrea/dy acute unbalance of trades was aggravated. Trade training and the continued enlistment of ex-RAF tradesmen provided the only solution The strength of the air force at March 31 was 398 officers, 2428 airmen and 223 airwomen, a total of 3049, of which over 600 were non-effective undergoing training. The increase over last year’s total was 202. The education standard of recruits was causing concern. Considerable effort was necessary after entry to raise this standard to a suitable level before the airman’s technical training was commenced. The Air Force, he continued, was entering its first year of orderly expansion after three and a half years of inevitable preoccupation with the

math of the war. An intensified recruiting programme was necessary if the depleted domestic trades of the RNZAF were to be augmented and a balance of trades achieved. REARMING PROGRAMME. Dealing with the rearming programme, the report states that equipment and interchangeable spares have been standardised on British types wherever possible and only those American aircraft which are essential to the fulfilment of current commitments have been retained. Aircraft strength at March 31 was 432, including 76 Mosquitoes. All Hudson aircraft were withdrawn from service, and only five selected aircraft were retained in long-term storage. The reduction to spares of surplus Dakota,. Catalina and Anson aircraft was proceeding. A five-year re-equipping and purchasing programme lor motor transport was submitted for financial approval. TERRITORIAL SQUADRONS. Three of the four Territorial Air Force squadrons whicl are now equipped with Tiger Moth and Harvard aircraft will be prov.ded with Oxford aircraft later this year. Applicants for service with the active reserve will commence their training later this year. The number of applications for officers and aircrew has been satisfactory, but only about one-fifth of' the requirements for the ground trades have so far been met.

Activities are considerably handicapped by lack of appropriate accommodation.