TOUR OF MIDDLE EAST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 279, 25 November 1943, Page 5

TOUR OF MIDDLE EAST

AIR COMMODORE NEVILL Recd. 6 p.m. London, Nov. 22. Air Commodore Nevill, A.0.C., at R.N.Z.A.F. headquarters in London, has returned to England after making a tour of the Middle East, where he talked with Air Chief Marshal Tedder and Air Marshal Coningham, and studied at first hand the operations of the Tactical Air Force. Air Commodore Nevill visited in the Mediterranean area numbers of squadrons in which New Zealanders are serving. Before going to the Middle East he participated in operations with the Bomber Command and the Coastal Command, taking part in raids over Germany and also flying as far as Iceland as a second pilot. Referring to the variety of work on which New Zealanders are engaged throughout the world, he said that they are everywhere. They have a reputation of which New Zealand can be justifiably proud, and a temperament whieh takes the job seriously and accepts varying conditions of service without complaint. The only resemblance to a grouch is found in the desire often expressed by an air crew to be at some other place which offers to their minds more exciting possibilities. New Zealander?, possibly more than any other airmen, welcome their complete identity wiui the R.A.F. and other Dominion squadrons. However, as time draws on they are mostly looking forward to serving in a theatre of war nearer their own country.”