FINE REPUTATION

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 21982, 10 March 1943, Page 4

FINE REPUTATION

NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN

j TRAINING AND OPERATIONS (By Telegraph--Press Association) i WELLINGTON, Tuesday i Appreciation of New Zealand's war i effort and of the quality of her lighti ing personnel has made New Zealandi ers welcome everywhere overseas, and this has greatly facilitated any negotiations or arrangements between New Zealand and overseas authorities. This opinion, based on his personal experience, was voiced in an interview this morning by Air Commodore L. M. Isitt, who recently returned from a three years’ tour of duty overseas. Air Commodore Isitt said he was deeply impressed by the warm feelings with which the people in Britain, Canada and the United States regarded the Dominion and by the admil ation which he heard expressed everywhere for the manner in whicn the Dominion had undertaken her war responsibilities. He found also that the exploits of our troops in the Middle East and of our naval and ah’ personnel had created a most favourable impression in both the public mind and official circles. Reputation in CanadaCommenting on the Empire air training seneme, Air Commodore Isitt said it had been an outstanding success and undoubtedly had played a vital part in securing air superiority. The excellent standard of New Zealand air trainees sent to Canada had been maintained and our men had established a well-deserved reputation for hard work and reliability. Generally speaking, he said, our men were very happy in Canada and it was not the fault of the Canadian people if New' Zealand personnel did not feel at home. Speaking of New Zealand in Britain. Air Commodore Isitt said that men in three fighter squadrons, two bomber squadrons and one coastal command squadron were do-! ing a grand job.' The reputation j for thoroughness and reliability which the trainees gained in Cahada was more than maintained in opera-: tional work. The welfare of the New ! Zealanders w’as well catered for from the time they arrived in the United Kingdom. On his way back to New Zealand 1 from London, said Air Commodore Isitt, he visited Royal New Zealand Air Force units on various islands The operational performances of New Zealand flying units in the New I Hebrides and Solomons areas had been excellent, and appreciation of their work had been expressed by, senior officers in Washington and the Pacific. _____________