MEN FOR JAPAN

AIR FORCE MARCH

SQUADRON EMBARKS

Members of the R.N.Z.A.F.'s renowned No. 14 Squadron bid a formal farewell to New Zealand early this afternoon when they marched through the city to embark on the light fleet carrier Glory, which is to carry them and their Corsair aircraft to Japan.

Aucklanders who lined Queen Street four and five deep or watched from vantage points on city buildings kept up their reputation for maintaining a well-bred calm on such occasions. However, the burst of applause which rippled down the city's main thoroughfare in time with the marching flights meant as much as hysterical cheering would have conveyed elsewhere, and there is no doubt that wishes for a safe return were uppermost in the minds of spectators.

Pride, too, was reflected by those who watched. From the marching and general bearing of the squadron it was obvious that the reputation of New Zealand's forces overseas will not suffer at the hands of the country's Air Force representatives among the occupational forces.

The airmen were dressed in blue-grey battledress, with blue webbing. Officers wore side arms and other ranks carried rifles, with fixed bayonets.

Music during the march was provided by the Marine band from the Glory and a drum band consisting of members of the squadron was also in attendance.