H.—37

1944 NEW ZEALAND

AIR DEPARTMENT (REPORT ON THE) FOR THE YEAR 1943-44

Presented in 'pursuance of Section 7 of the Air Department Act, 1937

REPORT BY THE HONOURABLE F. JONES, MINISTER IN CHARGE OF THE AIR DEPARTMENT, FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1944 Mr. Speaker,— I have the honour to present to Parliament the report of the Air Department for the year ended 31st March, 1944. As it is not practicable to publish detailed information on defence programmes during wartime, and also because of the continued shortage of papei, it has again been decided to reduce the scope of the Department's report. I desire to express my appreciation to all concerned for the efficient manner in which the many problems have been met and for the energy with which their duties have been carried out.

REPORT BY THE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1944, The Hon. the Minister of Defence. I have the honour to submit the following report on the Royal New Zealand Air Force for the year ended 31st March, 1944. „„„ t ™ , u- t. w nut. J a Personnel —The personnel required for the R.N.Z.A.F. squadrons which War Cabinet had agreed to maintain in the Pacific area necessitated a further expansion during the year. This has approximated to 20 per cent over the strength at 31st March, 1943. The ability to meet requirements was due partly to the transfer of personnel from the Army, for both aircrew and non-flying duties, and partly to the response made to various recruiting campaigns. Awards.—The following table details the awards to New Zealand air personnel granted annually during the period Ist April, 1940, to 31st March, 1944 :—

Twelve Months ending - ~" j Awards. 31st March, 31st March, 31st March, 31st March, T . , 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. iOTal - 1 . ' i 1 12 Victoria Cross ... •• .... J- •• Distinguished Service Order ....... 0 » i» o* Conspicuous Gallantry Medal ...... • • 6 Military Cross .. • ■ • ■ • • ■ • ' j Second Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross .. •• ■• l l Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross .. 8 13 16 36 Distinguished Flying Cross .. .. 62 53 98 202 415 Bar to Distinguished Flying Medal .. .. .. 1 •• * Distinguished Flying Medal .. ... B 28 45 70 148 George Medal .. •.-.'•• 3 • • ■ " \ Bar to Air Force Cross .. .. •• • • J •• \ Air Force Cross 8 11 iU 6i Air Force Medal ....•••• 2 .. 4 British Empire Medal .. .. •• 1 1 i American Distinguished Flying Cross .. .. • • • • 5 j» United States Air Medal .. • ■ • • • • • • ° ° Croix de Guerre (French) .. . • 1 • • ■ • Croix de Guerre (Belgian) Order of Lenin .. • • .... •. 1 Order of Crown of Yugoslavia White Eagle of Yugoslavia .. .. • • • • 1 • ■ Czech War Cross .. • • ■ • • • • • . ■ • 82 108 184 342 716* * Of this total, 509 awards have been won by personnel of the R.N.Z.A.F. and 207 by New-Zealanders serving as members of the R.A.F. In addition, 77 have been Mentioned in Despatches and 3 have been commended.