R.N.Z.A.F. SQUADRON FORMED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 10 December 1945, Page 4

R.N.Z.A.F. SQUADRON FORMED

FLYING MEMBERS SELECTED Auckland, Dec , 0. Seasoned operational pilots of the Pacific war make up the bulk of the flying of the R.N.Z.A.F. squadron now assembling at Ardmore before going to Japan next year as part of the forces of occupation. To represent the Dominion in air power in Japan, the R.N.Z.A.F. has chosen its oldest operational squadron, No. 14, which gained an excellent reputation at Guad. alcanal, Ondonga and Bougainville from 1943 onward, following service in Malaya in 1941. Though no members of the original No. 14 Squadron are included in the aircrew of the present unit, the first New Zealand fighter squadron in the Solomons, No. 15. is represented by the officer commanding the occupation pilots. Squadron Leader J. J. dc Willimoff, Auckland. Both he and his senior flight commander, Flight Lieutenant L. A. Rayner, wear the ribbon of the Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for gallantry in action against the Japanese. The 24 pilots for the occupation squadron have been chosen, but the remainder of the officers and also the ground staff have not yet been selected. The selection committee is at present visiting R.N.Z.A.F. stations throughout New Zealand interviewing applicants for service wittr the unit, who are at least double the number required. Nonflying personnel are expected at Ardmore about 10th January next year. The squadron, meanwhile, is undergoing intensive training with its Corsair aircraft, though the type of plane with which it will eventually be equip, ped is as yet uncertain. Various other items of importance have yet to be decided, including the date of departure and the means of travel from Auckland to Japan. It is possible that the pilots will fly their own Corsairs in stages and that the ground crews will be carried in the Dakotas of one of the transport squadrons of the R.N.Z.A.F.

The pilots chosen to accompany Squadron Leader de Willimoff are:—A Flight: Flight Lieutenants L. A. Rayner, D.F.C., D. F. Neville, A. F. Tucker, L. G. Mitchell, C. W. N. Wright, Flying Officers J. A. Murray, W. D. Gain, P. Horton, D. W. Corbett, E. W. Ziesler. Pilot Officer R. J. Scott, Flight Sergeant Flintoff. B Flight; Flight Lieutenants D. M. Hutton, J. L. Scott, S. M. Hope, Flying Officers T. R. Rabone, A. R Spedcn, M. S. Gunton, G. M. Jennings, D. S. Tie, A. F. Adeane, Pilot Officer V. Wakeman, Flight Sergeant B. B. Cox.