R.N.Z.A.F. NEARLY ALL OUT OF PACIFIC

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 276, 22 November 1945, Page 5

R.N.Z.A.F. NEARLY ALL OUT OF PACIFIC

ONLY SMALL PARTIES LEFT

THEY ARE EXPECTED TO BE HOME VERY SOON

(P.A.) Parliament Bldgs., Nov. 21 "All R.N.Z.A.F. operational squadrons have been withdrawn from the forward Pacilic area, and have now returned to New Zealand," said the Minister of Defence. Mr Jones, to-day. Since the beginning ot August nearly 6000 R.N.Z.A.F. personnel have been brought back to the Dominion from Pacific baser. Only small parties remained in the area and they were cng-agAi solely in guarding equipment and servicing R.N.Z. A.F. airc.alt which are being used to transpor- R.N.Z.A.F. personnel to New Zealand on repatriation. There were parties at Jacquinot Bay, in New Britain, Los Negros, in the Admiralty Island, Bougainville and Guadalcanal, in the Solomons, Espiritu Santo and New Caledonia. "Removal of ihis equipment for return to New Zealand i dependent on the shipping available.” the Minister continued,” and until the equipment can be moved, it. will be necessary to retain those small parties, as well as a small headquarters staff, to administer them and generally look after their welfare. With the withdrawal of operational squadrons the nece. si y for retaining a New Zealand Air Task Force Organisation had disappeared, and the staff had been progressivly reduced to live officers. The name of this unit youM be changed to the Islands Group Headquarters, and would be based at Lauthala Bav. Fiji, where there is a comple e R.N.Z.A.F. . tation organisation already to provide the necessary facilities. “When all personnel and equipment has been brought back from the forward mea this headquarters will disband,” said the Minister. "It is anticipaied this will take place, within the next two to throe months.”