The RAF goes to New York

The RAF goes to New York

Item 1 is a newspaper cutting refers to the punctual arrival of 16 Lancasters of 35 Squadron at Mitchel Field, Long Island. It is captioned 'Its a bit of a line, but we were dead on time'. Item 2 is a newspaper cutting 'RAF's New York Welcome' with a photograph of officers shaking hands. The photographs are captioned 'Mitchel Field. N.Y. 17th-21st July 1946'. Photograph 1 is an American guard of honour watched by a large crowd, some on top of a brick building. It is captioned ' The Guard of Honour (& a bouquet of Snowdrops)'. Photograph 3 is three officers shaking hands in front of airmen and a Lancaster. It is captioned 'The Wingco is introduced to the Base Commander. L to R. W/C Crane, G/C Collard and Col L.E. Parker'. Photograph 4 is the guard of honour and a line of airmen in front of a Lancaster. It is captioned 'Squadron parade for welcoming address In the background - the Wingco's kite & behind it, the G/C's "York" transport.'

1946-07

Two newspaper cuttings and four b/w photographs

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The RAF goes to New York

From Daily Mail Correspondent

New York, Wednesday.

PUNCTUAL to the second, 16 Lancaster bomber of 25 “Pathfinder” Squadron swooped down on Mitchell Field, Long Island, this afternoon and received a generous warm-hearted welcome.

The Lancasters were due to arrive at 4 p.m. New York time from Newfoundland, and at 3.55 a great cry went up from hundreds of American Air Force men, civilian workers, and hangar hands: “Here they are – dead on time.”

The roar of the Lancasters’ 64 engines drowned their cheers as the famous British squadron, in the tightest possible formation, sailed straight down the centre of U.S. Army Air Force’s great field.

The R.A.F. flyers then gave a breath-taking exhibition of “peeling off” as they broke formation and came in singly to make their landing.

‘PROUD OF YOU’

Led by 24-year-old Wing Commander A.J.L. Craig, D.S.O., D.F.C., the Lancasters touched down smartly behind each other on the first lap of their happiest mission – Operation Goodwill.

Soon all 16 were neatly lined up in front of operations control, and 200 R.A.F. men, forming up in ranks, stood to attention as the American Air Force band played “God Save the King.”

Speaking on behalf of General Karl [indecipherable name], Lieut-General T. Stratemeyer, commanding officer, U.S. Air Defence Command, said:

“Our people are proud of the R.A.F. They will want to thank you and many will step forward personally to do so. God bless you.”

[inserted] IT'S A BIT OF A LINE, BUT WE WERE DEAD ON TIME. [/inserted]

[photograph]
RAF’s NEW YORK WELCOME

After the Anglo-American bickering that has been going on regarding the Loan, it is pleasant to see this reminder of the Anglo-American unity that helped to win the war. The RAF received a warm welcome at Mitchell Field, Long Island.

[page break]

[underlined] MITCHEL FIELD. N.Y. [/underlined]

17th – 21st JULY 1946.

[photograph]
[underlined] THE GUARD OF HONOUR (or a banquet of Snowdrops). [/underlined]

[photograph]
THE WINGCO IS INTRODUCED TO THE BASE COMMANDER.
L. To R. W/C CRAIG, G/C COLLARD, Col. L.E. PARKER.

[photograph]
SQUADRON PARADE FOR WELCOMEING ADDRESS
In the background – the Wingco’s kite & behind it, the G/C’s “York” transport.