AUSTRALIAN AIRMAN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 2, 2 December 1931, Page 12

AUSTRALIAN AIRMAN

LAMENTS VANISHED PROSPECTS. Flying-officer G. E. Klein, a young Western Australian, is approaching the conclusion of. his five years’ short service commission -with the R.A.F., in which he distinguished himself, and is now lamenting the vanished prospects of a romantic well-paid appointment in the Middle East. Arrangements had been practically concluded whereby Flying-Officer Klein in the new year was to take command of the air force of H.M. Ibn Saud, King of the Hejaz, with headquarters at Jaffa. He was to receive a salary of £ISOO, and to have complete charge of the local potentate’s air operations. A few days ago King .Ibn Saud cabled Flying-Officer Klein, “Come at once, salary doubled; bring three medical officers.” The Foreign Office intervened, because it was believed that King Ibn Saud wished Flying-Officer Klein to participate in an air offensive against neighbouring tribesmen, and caused Flying-Officer Klein’s appointment to be dropped. It also forbade any other officer to go out, and placed members of the British Air Force in Hejaz under the Legation’s orders.

As compensation, however, FlyingOfficer Klein has been offered the choice, of two other appointments abroad, but he is proceeding to Aus-’ tralia in February before making a decision.