DEPARTURE CANCELLED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27080, 14 May 1949, Page 6

DEPARTURE CANCELLED

BERLIN AIR-LIFT CREW RELIEF PERSONNEL TO SAIL PA WELLINGTON, May 13. The Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, announced to-day that the departure of No. 3 aircrew, RNZAF, which was to have sailed in the Mataroa for the relief of personnel at present on the Berlin air lift, has been provisionally cancelled. The two remaining aircrews would sail from Wellington in the Mataroa for the United Kingdom about May 20, and upon arrival would relieve RNZAF personnel at present attached to No 24 (Commonwealth) Squadron, who were now nearing the end of their tour of duty. These two relief crews are:—No. 1 crew: Flight Lieutenant C. L. Siegert, pilot, of Fairlie; Flight Lieutenant R. W. Walker, navigator, of Auckland; Flight Lieutenant A. G. E. Pugh, signaller, of Auckland; Engineer Ila A. L. Chapman, engineer, of Wellington. No. 2 crew: Flight Lieutenant K. B. Smith, pilot, of Otaki; Flying Officer A. L. Tauwhare, navigator, of Masterton; Flight Lieutenant A. F. Jacobsen, signaller, of Palmerston North; Engineer Ila D. C. Morris, engineer, of Christchurch.

Mr Jones stated that in the event of any delay in the lifting of the blockade these two crews would be made available for relief on the Berlin air lift, and after six months would then move on to No. 24 (Commonwealth) Squadron.