“SECRET” FLIGHT OF THREE BOMBERS

Wanganui Chronicle, 12 April 1948, Page 4

“SECRET” FLIGHT OF THREE BOMBERS

LINCOLNS ARRIVE IN N.Z. FROM AUSTRALIA (P.A.) Auckland, April 9. Secrecy reminiscent of wartime surrounds the arrival at Whenuapai this morning of three Lincoln bombers of the Royal Australian Air Force, presumably on a navigation e.xercise. They left Laverton airfield, Melbourne, about 12.30 a.m. and the first touched down at Whenuapai about 8.35 a.m. The second landed some five minutes later and the third followed about 8.50 a.m.

Regarded as Britain’s best heavy bombers the huge grey, four-engined aircraft made an impressive sight as they swept across the airfield and taxied to a stop in front of the reception building. Their visit aroused a great deal of curiosity at the station, but the crews of the aircraft could do nothing to dispel it. Air Force officers who were approached referred inquirers to the officer commanding the party, Squad-ron-Leader McCarthy. He, however, had nothing to say when asked the object of the flight and future movements of the aircraft. He said he could not say anything about the trip. Asked if there was any officer who cculd discuss it, he said there was no one.

When senior R.N.Z.A.F. officers at the station were approached, they said security applied in this case, and they could say nothing about the visit.

The visit of the bombers had been announced in a Press Cablegram from Australia, and in view of the sudden reimposition of the security measure, at Whenuapai the High Commissioner for Australia (Mr. A. R. Cutler, V.C.) was asked for an explanation. He said he did not know that the bombers were visiting New Zealand. He then consulted his defence representative, who stated he knew nothing of the visit. ■“