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Personnel. (a) Regular and Territorial Personnel. The scheme for the release by the Air Ministry of officers of the Royal Air Force for service in regular units in the Dominion was continued during the year, and twelve specialist officers of the Royal Air Force arrived in the Dominion between the outbreak of war and 31st March, 1940. In addition, a number of officers of the Royal Air Force were released for service with the New Zealand Flights which were due to form during 1939 -40 preparatory to flying Wellington aircraft to the Dominion. On the outbreak of war, however, these officers and the Wellington aircraft (which had already been delivered to the New Zealand Flight in the United Kingdom) were placed at the disposal of the Royal Air Force. In New Zealand satisfactory progress was made in the enlistment of personnel for the Regular Air Force and for the Territorial Air Force. The position on the 31st March, 1939, and on the outbreak of war was as follows : — 31st March, 4th September, (1) Regular Air Force — 1939. 1939. Officers .. ... .. .. .. ..57 91 Airmen .. .. .. .. .. .. 622 665 (2) Territorial Air Force — Officers .. .. .. .. .. 79 79 Airmen .. .. .. .. .. .. 265 325 (b) Air Force Reserves. Expansion of the Reserve of Pilots under the agreement with the Royal New Zealand Aero Club and its constituent clubs was continued up till the outbreak of war, and on the 4th September, 1939, the strength of the Civil Reserve of Pilots was 349. Of this number, 239 had been called up for training by 31st March, 1940, and 33 were discharged or transferred to the Army. The scheme introduced with the co-operation of the Railway Department to provide the Royal New Zealand Air Force with a reserve of trained mechanics was commenced early in July, 1939, at the Hutt Workshops. Thirty apprentices in their last year of training were enrolled for a six-months' course in training on air frames and aero engines. On the outbreak of war this scheme had to be cancelled, as the Railway Workshops were required to train war entrants for maintenance duties in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Those already enrolled under the Railway Workshops Training Scheme were offered enlistment in the Air Force. Approximately six thousand applications for. registration under the Civil Reserve of the Royal New Zealand Air Force were received early in the year, and the greater proportion of the applicants were interviewed and assessed. This register of skilled tradesmen proved of considerable assistance when selecting applicants for enlistment. Up to the outbreak of war 81 New-Zealand-trained pilots had been sent to the United Kingdom for short-service commissions in the Royal Air Force. In addition, 267 candidates were sent to the United Kingdom direct, where they were trained in Royal Air Force schools. Between the 4th September, 1939, and the 31st March, 1940, a further 42 fully-trained pilots and 32 fully-trained air gunners left New Zealand for service in the Royal Air Force. Transfer from Peace to War Footing. During the precautionary period steps were taken to facilitate the transfer from a peace to a war footing. Immediately war was declared the Air Force was mobilized —Territorial and Air Force Reserves were called up, and, in addition, a number of personnel of the Civil Reserve who by virtue of their civil trade were suitable for immediate employment in the Air Force were called up and posted to Service units. The Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Territorial Squadrons were mobilized and brought up to their full war strength within seven days, and these units carried out an intensive training programme to fit them for their operational role. Plans had been prepared for providing protection to shipping in the focal areas and the approaches to the more important centres. These plans are kept under review and are brought up to date in the light of changing circumstances. Requisitioning of Civil Aircraft. On the outbreak of war all civil aircraft from the aero clubs were taken over for use in the Elementary Flying Training Schools. In addition, three D.H. 86's, five D.H. 89's, and two D.H. 84's were taken over from commercial transport firms. These aircraft have been modified for military purposes and are being employed for training until such time as they may be required for operational duties. War Training Organization. As a result of consultation carried out before the war with His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, the New Zealand Government had agreed in the event of war to train 1,000 pilots per annum for the Royal Air Force. In May, 1939, this was modified at the request of the United Kingdom Government to 650 pilots and a total of 650 air gunners and observers per annum On the outbreak of war immediate steps wore taken to implement the organization required for this purpose. A central recruiting organization was set up at Air Headquarters, the Flying Training Organization was expanded to the maximum consistent with the aircraft available in the country, and the necessary Technical Training Schools were established at Hobsonville, Wigram, and the four Railway Workshop centres.

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