STAFF CHANGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25798, 20 March 1945, Page 9

STAFF CHANGES

R.N.Z.A.F. HEADQUARTERS OFFICERS RETURNING HOME (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) LONDON, Mar. 15. Several changes in the personnel of the R.N.Z.A.F. headquarters staff in London are being effected. Air Commodore E. G. Olson, D. 5.0., formely air officer in charge, is now going to New Zealand owing to illhealth. Group Captain A. J. Manson, who was Deputy-A.0.C., is also returning to New Zealand shortly. The acting A.O.C. will be Wing Commander I. Robertson, of Auckland, who until recently was commanding officer of the New Zealand Beaufighter Torpedo-bomber Squadron. Squadron Leader K. H. Crichton has been promoted wing commander, and will be officer in charge of administration. Flight Lieutenant B. H. Beale, who has been promoted squadron leader, will be the senior personnel officer. Squadron Leader W. D. Abernethy. who was senior armament officer, will return to New Zealand. There is general regret at the enforced return home of Air Commodore Olson, who commanded the No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron in 1942. He is a most popular officer, and there is deep sympathy with him in his illness. Group Captain Manson, who has been in London for two years and a-half, is also a popular officer. Wing Commander Robertson, who led the New Zealand Beaufighter Squadron with distinction, will be succeeded in command of it by Squadron Leader D. H. Hammond, D. 5.0.. D.F.C. and bar. of Christchurch, who has been promoted wing commander. Squadron Leader Hammond is one of New Zealand’s outstanding torpedo-bomber pilots, and has now been with the squadron for over a year. Whether the officer for whom Wing Commander Robertson will deputise in London will be an air commodore or a group captain is not known here at present.