MISSING AIRMEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23181, 20 April 1945, Page 4

MISSING AIRMEN

Investigation In Occupied Countries Special Inquiry Service Official R.N.Z.A.F. News Service WELLINGTON. April 17. Investigation into the circumstances of aircrew personnel reported missing in the European theatre of war is one of the duties of the recently-establish-ed Royal Air Force and Dominion Air Forces Missing Research and Inquiry Service. The Service is operating in liberated and occupied territories, the first unit having Paris as its headquarters and France as its field of inquiry, and already much valuable information has been gathered. The duties of the Inquiry Service also Include the checking of information relative to the death and burial of personnel reported to have lost their lives. Other units are beginning their work, and all of th'em maintain liaison with the Graves Registration Units controlled by the Directorate of Graves Registration and Inquiries, War Office. By this means, it is being ensured that all possible information is collected for the benefit of next-of-kin. Since the co-operation of local inhabitants is necessary to successful investigation, in many cases the process will be long and arduous, but it is being found already that local assistance is being given freely with the result that identity of crews is being established on an increasing scale. As reports are made, they are sent immediately to Air Ministry, London, and th£je is no delay in the transmission of Information to next-of-kin. It is not possible to give priority to any casualty or group of casualties; but everything possible is being done to make the work of the Service comprehensive and accurate.