AIRMEN FOR JAPAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26065, 31 January 1946, Page 4

AIRMEN FOR JAPAN

OCCUPATION SQUADRON LEAVING NEXT MONTH NOW TRAINING AT ARDMORE (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 30. Fighter Squadron No. 14 of the R.N.Z.A.F., whi r h has been chosen as part of the British Occupation Force for Japan, will travel from New Zealand in a British aircraft-carrier. Together with its new aircraft and all its equipment, the squadron, which is now assembling at the R.N.Z.A.F. station at Ardmore, is expected to leave from Auckland in about a month’s time, and on arrival in Japan it will take up quarters in a hutted camp at Iwakuni. near Hiroshima. While the duration of the R.N.Z.A.F. representation in Japan is not definitely known, the term of service for individuals is not intended to exceed one year, and already steps have been taken to begin preparing a replacement unit—No. 15 (Fighter) Squadron. Meanwhile, No. 14 Squadron, chosen from a large number of volunteers of all ranks and trades, is almost up to its established strength of 290 at Ardmore. The unit will. be fully selfcontained and, in addition to pilots and maintenance crews, will include medical and dental officers and their staffs, as well as its own motor transport equipment, accounting, signals and similar ancillary groups.

The latest type of Corsair fighter aircraft has been allocated to the squadron, which will take 24 of them to Japan. The officer commanding is Squadron Leader J. J. de Willimorff, D.F.C., a fighter pilot with a wide experience of the Pacific war. For some weeks he has had his aircrews engaged in intensive training, and before leaving New Zealand they will undertake further flying The pilots are for the most part young men with considerable war-time flying on operations to their credit.