BRITISH AIR FORCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20023, 13 August 1928, Page 9

BRITISH AIR FORCE.

THE HIGHER COMMANDS. TWO NEW APPOINTMENTS. British Wireless. RUGBY, Aug. 10. The following changes in the higher commands of the Royal Air Forco arc announced. Air Marshal Sir John Salmond is to succeed Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game as Air Member of tho Council for Personnel at the beginning of January. Air Vice-Marshal Sir Edward Ellington will at the same time succeed Sir John Salmond as Air Officer Commander-in-Chief, Air Defence of Britain. Sir John Salmond has had a distinguished career. As a flying officer on the outbreak of the war in 1914 ho went to France in command of No. 3 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Subsequently he received rapid promotion. In 1916 he becamo Brigadier-General and in tho following year was promoted Major-General. Then ho became General Oflicer Commanding, Royal Air Force in France. That appointment he held until tho conclusion of hostilities. In October, 1922, ho was appointed tho first air officer to command tho combined British forces in Irak.

In 1923 lie was promoted Air Marshal in recognition of his distinguished service in Irak, and on returning to England he was appointed Air Officer Commander-in-Chief, Air Defenco of Britain, a new command Shortly afterwards he was appointed Controller-General of Equipment at the Air Ministry. On tho reorganisation of the Air Ministry in 1919 he became Director-General of Supply and Research, with a seat on tho Air Council, and held that appointment until 1922. when he proceeded to Egypt to tako over the command of tho Royal Air Force and to control tho air defences of that country. At present Sir John is in Australia, at the request of the Australian Govern ment. advising on the air defence of tjie Commonwealth and on the organisation, training and equipment of the Royal Australian Air Force.

Sir Edward Ellington became DirectorGeneral of Military Aeronautics in the Middle East in 1918. He relinquished that command in 1923. on his appointment as Air Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force, India. Since November, 1926, he has commanded tho British forces in Irak.