Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 24, 2022 9:02:33 GMT 12
Here is an article from The Press dated 22nd of June 1957 that marked the end of the Territorial Air Force:
Territorial Air Force Ends Its Career Today
In 1923, 100 oddly dressed men—some in uniform, others in tweeds, and the remainder in a combination of both—gathered round an old World War I biplane at the Wigram Air Force station. Some laughed, others talked excitedly, but they were all awaiting the big moment. This morning on five Air Force stations throughout the Dominion, similar groups of men will be silently standing by aircraft waiting for another big moment —the signal for the last flight of the Territorial Air Force. The T.A.F. is to be disbanded.
The group of 1923 were happy. They were the nucleus of the newly-formed Territorial Air Force and had gathered to watch a Territorial Air Force pilot take off in an Air Force plane for the first time.
Began in 1919
The story of the Territorial Air Force goes back as far as 1919 when Colonel A. V. Bettington came to New Zealand to advise the Government on problems connected with air defence and put forward a plan to form a territorial air force of 174 officers and 1060 airmen.
Colonel Bettington's whole scheme for a regular and territorial air force was shelved and he returned to England, leaving behind the four wartime aircraft (two D.H.4’s and two Bristol Fighters), he had brought with him.
In June, 1923, the Government decided to form an air force. It established the New Zealand Permanent Air Force of four officers and seven other ranks, and the New Zealand Air Force which was to be part of the existing territorial forces. The Permanent Air Force, except for one officer in Wellington, was employed at Wigram. Its responsibility was to keep the aircraft serviceable and hold refresher courses for members of the Territorial Air Force. Became.
Famous
When the Territorial Air Force was established, 72 officers, all of whom had served as pilots in World War I, and many of whom were to play important parts in the development of the R.N.Z.A.F. in World War II, had their appointments gazetted. Among those to attend the refresher courses at Wigram and who later became famous in aviation circles were: G. B. Bolt, W. F. Park, S. Wallingford, M. W. Buckley, J. L. Findlay, J. C. Mercer, I. E. Rawnsley, T. W. White, and I. H. N. Keith.
The strength of the T.A.F. in 1924 was 102 officers and, for the next few years, the number remained around 100. By 1926 the number began to dwindle, as Wigram was the only place at which flying training could be carried out, and men living in other parts of New Zealand frequently could spare neither the time nor the money to go there.
Big Change
In 1926 came the first big change. It was decided to train pilots and mechanics to provide an efficient territorial air force. Two additional aircraftmen were enlisted in the Permanent Air Force in 1927 and the Territorial Air Force strength was increased by nine pilots and 20 other ranks. Vacancies for 10 pilots to be trained, which were advertised, drew more than 300 applicants from all over New Zealand. Plans were laid to establish the T.A.F. on a systematic working basis and, in August, 1930, it was reorganised as a wing consisting of four squadrons—two army co-operation and two bombing—located in the four main centres.
For some years the wing existed to a large extent only on paper. It had no aircraft or other equipment and no ground staff. Some training was carried out in conjunction with the local aero clubs and some personnel on occasion were able to visit Wigram.
Review in 1936
The Government in 1936 decided to review New Zealand's defence requirements and asked the Air Ministry in Britain to send a qualified man to advise on the development of a New Zealand air force in the light of modem conditions.
The Air Ministry sent Wing Commander the Hon. R. A. Cochrane.
Besides recommending the immediate expansion of the Regular Air Force he proposed developing and equipping the four territorial squadrons, and the Government immediately started to put his proposals into effect. At the time T.A.F. had no ground staff or equipment and the 70 officers were mostly pilots of the 1914-18 war who were over 40 years of age. The Government decided to equip the four T.A.F. squadrons with former R.A.F. aircraft and the first squadron to be formed was the Wellington squadron. In September, 1938, the numbering of the territorial squadrons was abolished and they were named Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin territorial squadrons. Auckland and Christchurch squadrons were approved in February, 1938, and the Dunedin squadron the following month.
Twelve Baffin aircraft were ordered in 1937 for the Wellington squadron at a cost of £200 each, and applications were called for pilots and ground staff. The squadron’s aircraft arrived in March and flying training was begun.
Recruiting
Recruiting for the Christchurch squadron began in 1938 and Squadron Leader G. L. Stedman, chief instructor of the Canterbury Aero Club, was appointed its commanding officer. By November of that year the squadron’s strength had risen to 14 officers and 78 men. This squadron was also equipped with Baffin aircraft.
The Auckland territorial squadron was formed in June, 1938, with Squadron Leader D. M. Allen as commanding officer. When its aircraft became available it started week-end training at Hobsonville.
By the end of March, 1939, the strength of the T.A.F. was 55 officers and 265 airmen. In addition, 21 officers had been appointed to commissions, but were not attached to any particular squadron. The Dunedin squadron, although it had been authorised, had not been formed when war broke out in September, 1939. In June and July of 1939, all available T.A.F. pilots were sent to Wigram, where they underwent a two months general reconnaissance course.
Outbreak of War
At the outbreak of war the three squadrons in existence were mobilised and formed into general reconnaissance squadrons. The Auckland squadron operated from Whenuapai, the Wellington squadron from Woodbourne and the Christchurch squadron from Wigram. Each retained its identity until March, 1940, when all three were combined to form the New Zealand General Reconnaissance Squadron.
So the Territorial Air Force, as it was known, went out of existence. All its men became members of the R.N.Z.A.F. In 1948 it was decided to reform the T.A.F. as an integral part of the R.N.Z.A.F. No. 4 (Otago) Squadron then came into existence for the first time. The four squadrons were originally equipped with Tiger Moths and Oxfords but, in 1951, these aircraft were taken out of service and the squadrons were reorganised, to provide an extra squadron which could go overseas in the event of war.
The year 1952 saw the birth of No. 6, the fifth territorial squadron, at Hobsonville; Unlike the other four squadrons it trained on flying boats and had a maritime reconnaissance role.
Change in Defence
In 1955, overseas events and a change in New Zealand’s defence requirements again altered the shape of the T.A.F. It was decided to train the squadron in a fighter-ground attack role so that, in the event of hostilities they could provide immediately replacements for the two Regular squadrons then in existence. But the White Paper on defence issued last week spelt the end for the T.A.F.
The force had built up traditions of its own. Members had given up their week-ends and spare time and had given public service in air searches and in many other ways.
The Territorial Air Force is now being disbanded, but the public and airmen of New Zealand will long remember the great debt of gratitude they owe the men who formed the original territorial squadron, and the squadrons of today.
Territorial Air Force Ends Its Career Today
In 1923, 100 oddly dressed men—some in uniform, others in tweeds, and the remainder in a combination of both—gathered round an old World War I biplane at the Wigram Air Force station. Some laughed, others talked excitedly, but they were all awaiting the big moment. This morning on five Air Force stations throughout the Dominion, similar groups of men will be silently standing by aircraft waiting for another big moment —the signal for the last flight of the Territorial Air Force. The T.A.F. is to be disbanded.
The group of 1923 were happy. They were the nucleus of the newly-formed Territorial Air Force and had gathered to watch a Territorial Air Force pilot take off in an Air Force plane for the first time.
Began in 1919
The story of the Territorial Air Force goes back as far as 1919 when Colonel A. V. Bettington came to New Zealand to advise the Government on problems connected with air defence and put forward a plan to form a territorial air force of 174 officers and 1060 airmen.
Colonel Bettington's whole scheme for a regular and territorial air force was shelved and he returned to England, leaving behind the four wartime aircraft (two D.H.4’s and two Bristol Fighters), he had brought with him.
In June, 1923, the Government decided to form an air force. It established the New Zealand Permanent Air Force of four officers and seven other ranks, and the New Zealand Air Force which was to be part of the existing territorial forces. The Permanent Air Force, except for one officer in Wellington, was employed at Wigram. Its responsibility was to keep the aircraft serviceable and hold refresher courses for members of the Territorial Air Force. Became.
Famous
When the Territorial Air Force was established, 72 officers, all of whom had served as pilots in World War I, and many of whom were to play important parts in the development of the R.N.Z.A.F. in World War II, had their appointments gazetted. Among those to attend the refresher courses at Wigram and who later became famous in aviation circles were: G. B. Bolt, W. F. Park, S. Wallingford, M. W. Buckley, J. L. Findlay, J. C. Mercer, I. E. Rawnsley, T. W. White, and I. H. N. Keith.
The strength of the T.A.F. in 1924 was 102 officers and, for the next few years, the number remained around 100. By 1926 the number began to dwindle, as Wigram was the only place at which flying training could be carried out, and men living in other parts of New Zealand frequently could spare neither the time nor the money to go there.
Big Change
In 1926 came the first big change. It was decided to train pilots and mechanics to provide an efficient territorial air force. Two additional aircraftmen were enlisted in the Permanent Air Force in 1927 and the Territorial Air Force strength was increased by nine pilots and 20 other ranks. Vacancies for 10 pilots to be trained, which were advertised, drew more than 300 applicants from all over New Zealand. Plans were laid to establish the T.A.F. on a systematic working basis and, in August, 1930, it was reorganised as a wing consisting of four squadrons—two army co-operation and two bombing—located in the four main centres.
For some years the wing existed to a large extent only on paper. It had no aircraft or other equipment and no ground staff. Some training was carried out in conjunction with the local aero clubs and some personnel on occasion were able to visit Wigram.
Review in 1936
The Government in 1936 decided to review New Zealand's defence requirements and asked the Air Ministry in Britain to send a qualified man to advise on the development of a New Zealand air force in the light of modem conditions.
The Air Ministry sent Wing Commander the Hon. R. A. Cochrane.
Besides recommending the immediate expansion of the Regular Air Force he proposed developing and equipping the four territorial squadrons, and the Government immediately started to put his proposals into effect. At the time T.A.F. had no ground staff or equipment and the 70 officers were mostly pilots of the 1914-18 war who were over 40 years of age. The Government decided to equip the four T.A.F. squadrons with former R.A.F. aircraft and the first squadron to be formed was the Wellington squadron. In September, 1938, the numbering of the territorial squadrons was abolished and they were named Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin territorial squadrons. Auckland and Christchurch squadrons were approved in February, 1938, and the Dunedin squadron the following month.
Twelve Baffin aircraft were ordered in 1937 for the Wellington squadron at a cost of £200 each, and applications were called for pilots and ground staff. The squadron’s aircraft arrived in March and flying training was begun.
Recruiting
Recruiting for the Christchurch squadron began in 1938 and Squadron Leader G. L. Stedman, chief instructor of the Canterbury Aero Club, was appointed its commanding officer. By November of that year the squadron’s strength had risen to 14 officers and 78 men. This squadron was also equipped with Baffin aircraft.
The Auckland territorial squadron was formed in June, 1938, with Squadron Leader D. M. Allen as commanding officer. When its aircraft became available it started week-end training at Hobsonville.
By the end of March, 1939, the strength of the T.A.F. was 55 officers and 265 airmen. In addition, 21 officers had been appointed to commissions, but were not attached to any particular squadron. The Dunedin squadron, although it had been authorised, had not been formed when war broke out in September, 1939. In June and July of 1939, all available T.A.F. pilots were sent to Wigram, where they underwent a two months general reconnaissance course.
Outbreak of War
At the outbreak of war the three squadrons in existence were mobilised and formed into general reconnaissance squadrons. The Auckland squadron operated from Whenuapai, the Wellington squadron from Woodbourne and the Christchurch squadron from Wigram. Each retained its identity until March, 1940, when all three were combined to form the New Zealand General Reconnaissance Squadron.
So the Territorial Air Force, as it was known, went out of existence. All its men became members of the R.N.Z.A.F. In 1948 it was decided to reform the T.A.F. as an integral part of the R.N.Z.A.F. No. 4 (Otago) Squadron then came into existence for the first time. The four squadrons were originally equipped with Tiger Moths and Oxfords but, in 1951, these aircraft were taken out of service and the squadrons were reorganised, to provide an extra squadron which could go overseas in the event of war.
The year 1952 saw the birth of No. 6, the fifth territorial squadron, at Hobsonville; Unlike the other four squadrons it trained on flying boats and had a maritime reconnaissance role.
Change in Defence
In 1955, overseas events and a change in New Zealand’s defence requirements again altered the shape of the T.A.F. It was decided to train the squadron in a fighter-ground attack role so that, in the event of hostilities they could provide immediately replacements for the two Regular squadrons then in existence. But the White Paper on defence issued last week spelt the end for the T.A.F.
The force had built up traditions of its own. Members had given up their week-ends and spare time and had given public service in air searches and in many other ways.
The Territorial Air Force is now being disbanded, but the public and airmen of New Zealand will long remember the great debt of gratitude they owe the men who formed the original territorial squadron, and the squadrons of today.
