David Duxbury
4th May 2014, 01:17
Fellow Forumites
Came across the information on above subject in a memo in an RNZAF file some years ago, and have just come across it again whilst looking for some totally unrelated matter, and thought:- Why not post this?, as it is, I feel, worthy of retyping for general interest. This information seems to be that applied to pilots only, but equally it could also apply to all aircrew categories. Interesting that even in WW2, some dispensation is allowed for married personnel. It also points out just why operational tours on the 'Burma front' were so different as compared to those flown from the UK. Reason for this communication was the subject of tours of duty in the Pacific as practised by the RNZAF, and how the present scheme might be improved by eliciting information from other air forces operating in tropical areas.
The document is dated 24th May 1945, and originated with Headquarters, Base Air Forces, South East Asia, New Delhi. Actual writer was Wing Commander T J McLean de Lange, RNZAF, who happened to be the RNZAF Liaison Officer serving at this HQ. It was addressed to the Director of Operations (RNZAF), in Wellington.
David D
"With reference to conversation with Group Captain G H M Pirie (RAF, attached to RNZAF at time) prior to the writer's departure from New Zealand, the following are answers to some of the questions which were asked:-
(a) The length of an operational tour on the Burma front is one year or 200 hours whichever is completed first. The pilot then has six months rest period, after which he does a further tour. In the present scheme, at the end of 3 years if married, 4 years if single, he is repatriated to UK. Therefore, if married, he does two tours with 2 rest periods prior to repatriation, if unmarried he does 3 tours plus two rest periods. However, to date some pilots have been with their squadron up to 4 years. It must be realised that for approximately 6 months of the year (the Monsoon period) flying is well-nigh impossible. The average amount of operational flying per month by pilots is approximately 30 hours. As against this, during the Burma drive they have been doing from 50 to 80 hours.
(b) The writer has not been down to Burma as yet and therefore cannot compare the living and operating conditions with those of the Pacific. It is hoped that this question will be answered in the very near future.
(c) Please find enclosed copy (copies) of the syllabus of training at the ...
(i) Air Fighting Training unit.
(ii) Operational training syllabus for day fighter, OTU HQ 203 Group M/E.
(iii) Draft notes for lectures on dive bombing.
(iv) 151 OTU Harican (sic, Hurricane!) course (Fighter) sylllabus.
(d) From what can be gleaned so far, close air support is controlled purely by the Army. This will better be able to be described when the writer has seen it working.
Came across the information on above subject in a memo in an RNZAF file some years ago, and have just come across it again whilst looking for some totally unrelated matter, and thought:- Why not post this?, as it is, I feel, worthy of retyping for general interest. This information seems to be that applied to pilots only, but equally it could also apply to all aircrew categories. Interesting that even in WW2, some dispensation is allowed for married personnel. It also points out just why operational tours on the 'Burma front' were so different as compared to those flown from the UK. Reason for this communication was the subject of tours of duty in the Pacific as practised by the RNZAF, and how the present scheme might be improved by eliciting information from other air forces operating in tropical areas.
The document is dated 24th May 1945, and originated with Headquarters, Base Air Forces, South East Asia, New Delhi. Actual writer was Wing Commander T J McLean de Lange, RNZAF, who happened to be the RNZAF Liaison Officer serving at this HQ. It was addressed to the Director of Operations (RNZAF), in Wellington.
David D
"With reference to conversation with Group Captain G H M Pirie (RAF, attached to RNZAF at time) prior to the writer's departure from New Zealand, the following are answers to some of the questions which were asked:-
(a) The length of an operational tour on the Burma front is one year or 200 hours whichever is completed first. The pilot then has six months rest period, after which he does a further tour. In the present scheme, at the end of 3 years if married, 4 years if single, he is repatriated to UK. Therefore, if married, he does two tours with 2 rest periods prior to repatriation, if unmarried he does 3 tours plus two rest periods. However, to date some pilots have been with their squadron up to 4 years. It must be realised that for approximately 6 months of the year (the Monsoon period) flying is well-nigh impossible. The average amount of operational flying per month by pilots is approximately 30 hours. As against this, during the Burma drive they have been doing from 50 to 80 hours.
(b) The writer has not been down to Burma as yet and therefore cannot compare the living and operating conditions with those of the Pacific. It is hoped that this question will be answered in the very near future.
(c) Please find enclosed copy (copies) of the syllabus of training at the ...
(i) Air Fighting Training unit.
(ii) Operational training syllabus for day fighter, OTU HQ 203 Group M/E.
(iii) Draft notes for lectures on dive bombing.
(iv) 151 OTU Harican (sic, Hurricane!) course (Fighter) sylllabus.
(d) From what can be gleaned so far, close air support is controlled purely by the Army. This will better be able to be described when the writer has seen it working.