NOTABLE CAREER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23780, 7 October 1940, Page 9

NOTABLE CAREER

SIR CYRIL NEWAIvL INFLUENCE ON AIR FORCE SLIM, RESERVED.' COMPETENT The Royal Air Force to-day is largely the creation of Sir Cvril Louis Norton Ncwall, G.C.8., C.M.G., C.8.E., Marshal of the Force and Governor-General-designate of Now Zealand. Chief of ihe Air Staff throughout the tremendous expansion of the force, lie forged the formidable weapon that has frustrated the German air fleets. Since the outbreak of war he has carried an enormous responsibility, for in defence and in attack the operations of the Royal Air Force have been continuous. There has not been a day, no matter what tlie weather or other conditions, when its machines have not been aloft. Jt has been said that New Zealand's Governor-General-designate is not a "character." Slim of build and seemingly somewhat aloof,- his power is exerted not .in the resounding manner which creates a name and a nickname, but smoothly, evenly and unobtrusively. From him there have been no brilliant flashes of genius, wild experiments, but competence or planning and execution. Design of Air Fighters The sound judgment .of Sir Cyril Newall is well exemplified in the armament of the Royal Air Force machines. When Germany and other countries started to build high-speed bombers in mass production, there was a division of opinion as to whether Britain<|ho;ild fit its opposing machines with cannon' or multi-machine-guns. Sir Cvril fav-~ J oured machine-guns and laid down the broad specifications for high-speed fighters so equipped. As a result; of this, the designs of the magnificent .Spitfire and Hurricane fighters were produced iti 1935. Since Sir Cyril learned to flv as far back as 1911 while on leave in England from the 2nd K.E.O. Gurkha

Rifles, his biography is practically that of "the Royal Air Force. Learning to fly was then a very different matter„ from what it is to-day. The larger part of the instructor's work was done on

the ground. He merely explained to his pupil the use of the controls and the way they should he handled to achieve elementary movements, and after a practical demonstration or two sent his pupil into the air to fend for himself. The Indian Flying Corps In order to satisfy the examiners of the Royal Aero "Club, Lieutenant • Newall. as he was then, had to show proficiency in the elements of tabingoff the ground, describe a figure eight in the air, and land, and make a short cross-country flight ,to a predetermined destination. On returning to

India, with a group of fellow officers who had become flying enthusiasts like himself. Lieutenant Newall persuaded the authorities to found the Indian Flying Corp?. As a result he was selected by the Indian Army in 1913 to return to the central flying school at Upavon for special flyiiig instruction. "When war broke out on August 4. 1914. Lieutenant Newal] returned to England and at once offered his services to the Royal Flying Corps. He did not leave for France with the first four squadrons, being posted to a reserve squadron. He was made a flight commander, having just attained the rank of -captain in his infantry regiments by normal promotion. He made visits to* France to gain practical experience. :i " ■ Soon he was promoted to squadron commander and given _ the temporary rank of major to raise No. 12 squadron, and until September, 1915, he was in England engaged in training pilots. This mostlv consisted .in practice in flying, details relating to reconnaissance and an elementary knowledge of artillery co-operation.

A Terrifying Flight Describing his performance in grinning the Albert Medal, First Glass, "ill recognition of gallantry in saving life," a writer stated: "Major Newall has been a most successful squadron commander. While commanding No. 12 Squadron in the field he never flew, but that his courage and skill were bevond question we knew from his previous work in France and from the story of a terrifying flight in a Bleriot across Salisbury Plain in a /strong, jEjusty wind. (The Bleriot with oldfashioned warp-wing control was almost uncontrollable in bumps.) "Shortly after we arrived at St. Omcr the bomb store caught fire, and Newall and bis Crossley driver were first on the scene. For 10 minutS? fhey worked alone, and for an hour afterward Newall. a dirty and blackened figure, very unlike his usual iminaculately turned-out self, took the leading; part' in rolling red-hot bombs out of harm's way. The fact that lie was promoted wing-commander after about fiyo months in command of a squadron in France shows in what high estimation he was held." Training Pilots in Fighting In 1916 Major Newall was given the temporary rank of lieutenant-colonel and sent back to England to" train pilots in air fighting, while the whole system of training and tests was reorganised. Betore the end of 1916 ho was back in France in command of the ninth wing attached to R.F.C. headquarters. The primary duty of the wing was long-distance raids and reconnaissance, and as the German Fokker was then supreme, it suffered severely. Such paladins of the air as Captain Ball and Lieutenant Bishop, now Air-Marshal W. A. Bishop. Y.C., D.5.0., M.C.. Director of "Recruiting for the Canadian Air Force, served under him. In 1917 the organising genius ol Lieutenant-Colonel Newall was used in the formation of the 41st Wing for bombing German industrial centres. The wine made 57 raids before it was embodied in the _ eighth brigade. Lieutenant-Colonel Newall then being; promoted brigadier-general. He supervised bombing until the end of the war. After the war he reverted to wingcommander. but was promoted groupcaptain a week later and appointed Doputv-Director of Personnel at the Air Ministry. His subsequent career is; well known.

Sir Cyril is described as being grey--haired. of ruddy complexion, and extremely reserved. He is said to hate, display and be avoids publicity as far as nossihle. An enthusiast in his profession. lie is also fond of home life and is a very keen gardener.