AIRMEN PRAISED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25054, 18 November 1944, Page 8

AIRMEN PRAISED

UNITS IN PACIFIC - \ AN AMERICAN TRIBUTE High praise for the flying and ground personnel of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Pacific is contained in an article published in the American aeronautical magazine Flying. The article is entitled: "Our Ally—New Zealanders under United States Navy Command have put up Remarkable Record against Japs." The article deals mainly with the first phase of the South Pacific campaign covering the Solomons and Bismarck Archipelago. The New Zealanders were then flying Warhawk fighters as close cover to American bombers making attacks on Japanese airfields on Bougainville, New Britain and New Ireland. Now the daily programme of bombing and strafing the Japanese forces remaining on those islands is done with Corsair fighterbombers and Ventura bombers. Difficult and Dangerous Tho article in Flying recalls that R.N.Z.A.F. Hying and ground personnel arrived in the combat zone in Psovember, 1942, moving into the fighting on Guadalcanal The writer explains how the system of high, medium, low and close cover for bombers was developed, entailing four layers of fighters above each formation of bombers to prevent interception by Zeros. The R.N.Z.A.F. provided the close cover for many months. The article explains that this was the most difficult and most dangerous work of the lot, because the fighters remained with the bombers as they went right across the target area and were exposed to the fiercest attacks of tho enemy < fighters and the full intensity of anti-aircraft fire. In addition, the article points out, the New Zealanders took part •in numerous fighter sweeps over onem\ territory and fought many combats with the Zeros. 1 hev did that with «o much success tli a * by the time ciienu air power in the Solomons - Bisinark.i area was neutralised of the enem> aircraft shot down went to the ciedit of the R.N.Z.A.F. fighter squadrons. Characteristics of Men The article quotes several instances to show that New Zealand Warhawks, even though heavily outnumbered, outfought formations of Zeros. It also stresses the less spectacular but _ equally valuable work done by the dive-bomber and medium-bomber crews. Discussing the New Zealanders as individuals, the article says: "Tough, knotty, good-natured, they seem to make a fetish of taking on impossible jobs with cheery unconcern. All through the Solomons thev are favourites. An outstanding characteristic is their extreme modesty. In the face of compliments your average New Zealander will probably turn red hem and haw, splutter and gurgle, and then desperately attempt to steer the conversation into some other channel. _ Elaborate tribute is paid to the maintenance staffs of the R.N.Z.A.I<. Commenting on the New Zealand characteristic of skilful improvisation, tne article says: "Any stray metal on Bougainville magically disappears and turns up next day on a plane of the R N.Z.A.F. Whenever one of their planes crashes within measurable distance of their headquarters, the New Zealanders lug it home, no matter how b,° ' its condition. The sight of a group of these cheerful men dragging pieces of unidentifiable wreckage out of the jungle no longer causes any amazement in the Solomons. Everybody realises the smashed-up aeroplane will somehow rise again like a phoenix." CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP R.A.F. OFFICER'S OPINION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Friday "I can assure you that the New Zealand airmen, for whose training 1 have had the honour of being partly responsible, have shown great spirit, force of character and leadership. Their ability and keenness have been of the highest order and their discipline exemplary. 1 only wish I could have had more of them, as they are a type of fellow who calls a spade a spade and is always above board." This tribute is typical of many which have been paid by responsible authorities to the quality of New Zealanders trained in Canada under the British Commonwealth air training plan. It was written by Group-Captain A. Ellis, R.A.F., commanding officer of a service flying training school in Alberta, to the New Zealand air liaison officer, Ottawa, Group-Captain T. W. White, jurL before the closing down a few weeks ago of the station commanded by Group-Captain Ellis. The letter expressed a sense or sadness that the unit was being closed down, a feeling no doubt that was being shared by many Canadian units and by many trainees whose hopes of passing through the mammoth Empire scheme have largely disappeared with the achievement of pronounced Allied superiority in the air. CLAIM FOR DAMAGES EVIDENCE OF SOLICITOR During the hearing of the claim of Mrs E. M. D. Meares before Mr Justice Call an for £SOOO damages against her former solicitor, Mr H. O. Cooney, of Tauranga, Mrs Meares made allegations against another Tauranga solicitor, Mr J. K. B. Lusk, that he had "faked" a document by altering it after he had obtained her signature to it. Mr Lusk later in evidence gave an emphatic denial to these allegations. There were no blanks in the document when Mrs Meares signed it. he 6aid, and it was then complete as it was now in Court. The plaintiff did not attempt to cross-examine Mr Lusk. After the jury had found unanimously in favour of Mr Coonev His Honor allowed him costs according to scale, which in this case is the highest scale, ROOF TILERS' AWARD Provision for the payment by the employer to every worker of an allowance to cover the additional cost of clothing, shoes and tools is included in tlie new Auckland Roof Tilers and Slaters' Award which has been made by the Arbitration Court. The allowance, which is to operate for the period of the war. is a penny an hour, with a maximum payment of 3s 4d in any week. The allowance will not be subject, to past or future orders made by the Arbitration Court under the Rates of Wages Emergency Regulations or the Economic Stabilisation Emergency Regulations, Another new provision in the award is for the payment of doublelime rates for work done after noon on Saturdays, An application to include workers engaged on all asbestos cement accessories was opposed bv the New Zealand (except West land) Plumbers, Gasfittors and Related Trades Union on the grounds that, such workers were already covered by the Plumbers and Gasfitters' Award, The objection was sustained, Mr W. C. Prime, the employers' representative, dissenting.