AN AMERICAN TRIBUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25303, 13 August 1943, Page 5

AN AMERICAN TRIBUTE

(Official News Release) GUADALCANAR, (Rec. 7 p.m.) Aug. 12. "Your boys are fine, and we havt every confidence in them,” said the American aircraft commander in the. Solomons, when paying a tribute to the New Zealand bomber, reconnaissance, and fighter squadrons operating under his control. The commander gave a picture of some of the work the Hudsons were doing, and said that, while it was not spectacular in itself, it was of vital importance. Such complete reliance was placed upon the New Zealanders’ navigation that a*' single Hudson was often used to lead a formation of American planes to their objective deep in the, enemy country on night attacks. The Hudsons got through and later picked up their bombers and brought them home. “The Hudsons have done outstandingly fine work.” the commander said. “ We rely upon them to get information, and they get it. We use them mostly for scouting work, and they make regular flights over enemy-held areas to observe and report. Their information has been most valuable. We have complete dependence in them. Once in a while the Hudson boys get into a fight, and once in a while they sink a Japanese ship, but their fighting mission is secondary to scouting. Some members of the crews have afready been recommended for decorations. in addition .to those already decorated.”