R.A.F. CHIEF

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 26, 30 December 1925, Page 7

R.A.F. CHIEF

TO RESIGN POST. JUMPEE' INTO FAME DURING WAR. / LONDON, Nov. 18. From ar. authoritative source it' is learned that Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Trencliard will in March next resign liis appointment as chief of the R.A.F. An officer of outstanding ability, who jumped into fame and prominence during the war, Sir Hugh was anxious that tho foundation of the new Homo Defence Air Forces should be laid before he severed his connection with the flying servico. On inquiry at the Air Ministry it was given out that no statement could be made, and it is stated officially that the matter could not be discussed while lie was chief of the R.A.F. Sir Hugh Trenchard has achieved a remarkable degree of efficiency in the sendee, but he has not always been in agreement with his technical advisers. This was exemplified quite recently on the purchase of aeroplane engines to .the value of £60,000 from the United States. ORGANISING, ABILITIES. It was contended that standard British engines like the Napier Lyon and the Rolls-Royce were equal to anything produced in America, but Sir Hugh, I understand, insisted that the foreign motors should be tried in the R.A.F., and the engines have been duly ordered. It is, however, Sir Hugh Trenchard’s administrative and organising abilities which have clearly established the Air Force as potentially the most important of tho services. He has made a strenuous fight against t proposal for tho establishment of a Fleet air arm which would give tho Navy the control of an air force of its own. Despite his differences on matters of policy—and they have been frequently quito considerable differences—with his technical advisers, there is little doubt that it was he who actually brought into being tho R.A.F. as we know it to-day, and there are many who will regret his severance from the service with which he has been so long associated. The appointment of a successor will not, of course, yet be made, but it is generally assumed that the next Chief of Staff will be Air-Marshal Sir Jahn Salmond.