very effectively there with a minimum of personnel and absolutely no supply 
 
as far as parts were concerned. If the oil tank were shot out, we would use 
 
the rest of the airplane for parts.
 
Col. Thomas: How about mechanics tools?
 
Major Fisher: That was the greatest difficulty. One bag you could pack and 
 
carry with you, and the mechanic had his bag plus a Kennedy kit. At one 
 
time in Java we had so few mechanics they would fly them from one island or 
 
plane to another so that work could be done on them.
 
Col. Hoag: Has there been any incendiary bombing?
 
Major Fisher: We heard it reported, but saw no incendiary bombs. The Japs 
 
dropped a small bomb which has a long nose and sets above the ground and 
 
does not continue to burn.
 
Col. Blair: As a result of your experience what would be your recommendations 
 
as to things we could change or do here in the way of organization and planning?
 
Major Fisher: All organizations that go out should be complete and trained. 
 
There is no room or time or equipment to train them in Australia. We suffered 
 
at first from untrained pilots.
 
Col. Blair:  What changes in organization and ground equipment would you 
 
recommend?
 
Major Fisher: The staff was way too large. We spend our time supporting 
 
ourselves instead of the combat squadrons. There were too many pilots sitting 
 
behind desks shuffling papers and some of the work could have been consoli-
 
dated. There was too much duplication of work. When I went out all I had 
 
was a morning report and payroll.
 
Col. Whiteley: What about the organization of the Japs?
 
Major Fisher: They had a good system worked out as they were going down to
 
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