N.Z. AIRMEN IN ISLANDS

Southland Times, Issue 25691, 28 June 1943, Page 4

N.Z. AIRMEN IN ISLANDS

PRAISE OF AMERICAN VICE-ADMIRAL (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 27. Complimentary reference to the work of New Zealand fighter squadrons, operating from Guadalcanar, where they have shot down 14 enemy aircraft for the loss of one of their own, made by Vice-Admiral Aubrey Fitch, United States Navy commander of aircraft in the South Pacific, was quoted by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, today. Vice-Admiral Fitch has sent the following message to the chief of the air staff, Air Vice-Marshal H. V. Goddard:— “The Royal New Zealand Air Force fighters have performed magnificently in recent mass engagements in the Solomons, proving again that man for man they are as dangerous to the enemy in the air as the Axis has found them to be on the ground. Their performance inspires fear among the Japanese and admiration from their American allies. We are proud to have them as comrades in arms.” The air officer commanding the Number 1 (Islands) Group of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Air Commodore S. Wallingford, has been requested to express personally to Vice-Admiral Fitch appreciation of his generous praise and assurance that the Royal New Zealand Air Force looks forward to continued and increasing participation in the battle of the Islands.with their American comrades whose constant help and encouragement have been of the greatest value to our squadrons and whose brilliant successes in action have inspired the admiration and emulation of our own men.