GREAT LEADER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23780, 7 October 1940, Page 6

GREAT LEADER

SIR CYRIL NEW ALL MONUMENTAL LABOURS POPULAR AND EFFICIENT (Received October (3, 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 0 The appointment of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Newail, G.C.8., C.M.G., C.8.E., to succeed Viscount Galway as Governor-General of New Zealand, has surprised aviation authorities, who pay tribute to his great tactical gifts. They state that he has borne tho brunt of organising the Royal Air Force's struggle, both in defence of the Homeland and in hammering the enemy in Europe. One authority said: "Tho modern Royal Air Force is partly Sir Cyril Nevvall's creation. Ho was Chief of the Air Staff throughout the period of tremendous expansion and ho forged a formidable weapon."

Belief in Air Offensive The Royal Air Force swears by Sir Cyril Newall, whose command has always been personal. Ho was never an impersonal administrator. Whert tho complete history is -written of the Royal Air Force since the last war, it will bo also a biography of Sir Cyril Newall. There are few aspects of its growth in which ho has not had a hand, and he nursed it throughout two of its most critical years. Both Sir Cyril Newall and Air-Mar-shal Sir Charles Portal, K.C.8., D.5.0., M.C., who has been appointed to succeed him, are great believers in offensive operations. Both strongly maintain that the winning of the war will bo greatly assisted by large-scale bombing offensives throughout Germany. Tho Daily Mail says there is no muddle nor any crushing defeat behind Sir Cyril Newall's departure. He has spent a lifetime flying, and no man has relinquished command of a fighting force at a moment of greater achievement.

"Ambition Achieved"

The Times says Sir Cyril Newall will take to New Zealand the good wishes of all ranks of the Royal Air Force, with whom he is exceedingly popular. After his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff in 1937 he worked untiringly to make the Royal Air Force the finest air force in the world, and he has seen it grow out of all knowledge, both in size and efficiency. He retained command long enough to see his ambition achieved. Subordinates at the Air Ministry paid a tribute to Sir Cyril's remarkable attention to detail. They deplore the loss of a chief who has guided the Air Force to the highest pinnacle of service it has yet achieved. Sir Cyril Newall learned to fly while 011 leave from the Indian Army in 1911, when he undertook a course at the Central Flying School in Bristol. He flew a Bristol "boxkite," which was described as being kept together with string rubber bands, glue and nails. The machine was capable of a speed of only 60 miles an hour and an altitude of 3000 to 4000 feet.

Beginnings ol Air Force He returned to India fired with a desire to initiate a similar flying school there, but encountered opposition. However, lie persevered, and two years later induced the authorities to lay the foundations of a school. It had scarcely begun operations when the Great War broke out and Sir Cyril's regiment was sent to France. Sir Cyril joined the Royal Flying Corps as a flight-commander and, in 1917, was appointed to command the 41st Bombay Wing, which was the forerunner of the independent Air Force, created in 1918.

An article dealing with the life of Sir Cyril Newall appears on page 9. CORDIAL MESSAGES DOMINION'S GREETINGS i ' SIR CYRIL NEWALL'S REPLY LOOKING FORWARD TO FUTURE [by TELEGRAPH' —SPECIAL IIEPORTER] WELLINGTON, Sunday Messages have heen exchanged by cablegram between the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Frascr, and Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Newall. Mr. Fraser sent the following message to Sir Cyril:— "On behalf of the Government and people of the Dominion. 1 should like to offer you a cordial message of greetings and congratulations upon your appointment as Governor-General of New Zealand. Your name and your conspicuous services to the British Commonwealth, particularly during these critical months, are well known to us, and 1 can assure you that a very hearty welcome awaits Lady Newall and yourself here."

Sir Cyril's reply, which was received to-day, reads: — "I am deeply touched by your message. Please convey my warmest thanks •to the Government and people of New Zealand. It is a high honour to me to have been called to the office of Gover-nor-General of a great Dominion and I shall spare no endeavour to be of service to New Zealand. Ladv Newall joins me in looking forward with keen anticipation to our arrival."