SOLOMONS SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 June 1943, Page 3

SOLOMONS SERVICE

NEW ZEALAND FIGHTER SQUADRONS GENEROUS AMERICAN PRAISE. AN APPRECIATIVE REPLY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Complimentary reference to the work of the New Zealand fighter squadrons operating from Guadalcanal, where they have shot down 14 enemy aircraft for the loss of one of their own, made by ViceAdmiral Aubrey Fitch, United States Navy Commander of Aircraft in the South Pacific, was quoted by the Prime Minister (Mr

Fraser) today. Admiral Fitch has sent the following message to the chief of the Air Staff (Air Commodore Goddard):— “R.N.Z.A.F. 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 No. 1 (Islands) Group of the R.N.Z.A.F., Air Commodore S. Wallingford, has been requested to express personally to Admiral Fitch appreciation of his genorous praise and an 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.