BRITISH AVIATION CHIEF

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1928, Page 5

BRITISH AVIATION CHIEF

VISIT OF SIR JOHN SALMOND. Sir John Salmond, who arrived in the Dominion yesterday to advise the Government on aviation matters, is a distinguished pilot. He came to the fore as a great air commander during the war, and since 1918 has played a leading part in the organisation of Britain’s home defences. Born in 1881, he was educated at Wellington College, England, which has produced many of Britain’s finest soldiers, and he received his commission during the South African War, in which he saw active service. He went to West Africa and served with the Frontier Force from 1903 to 1906, and in 1912, when flying first became of military im[X>rtanee, he learned to fly at his own expense at the Grahame White School at Hendon. When the European War broke out Sir John went to France with Sir John French in command of an air squadron, which was of invaluable service to the British troops in the retreat from Mons. He was awarded the D.S.O. and promotion followed rapidly. In 1917 he was appointed Director of Military Aeronautics at the War Office, with a seat on the Air Board, and in January of the following year he succeeded Sir Hugh Trencharil as General Officer Commanding the Royal Air Force in France, being responsible for all air operations during the great German advance in that spring and in the final victorious advance of the British Army.

After commanding the Air Force of Occupation until August, 1919, Sir John was recalled to England to engage in organisation work. He was sent to India in 1922, and from there to Iraq, where he assumed responsibility for the whole defence of the country. Since 1925 he has been commander-in-chief of Great Britain’s air defences.

Sir John Salmond visited Australia in 1918 to advise on the air defence of the Commonwealth and on the organisation, training and equipment of the Royal Australian Air Force. In view of his work in devising the elaborate protective scheme for Great Britain he has unrivalled knowledge of flie new and complex problem? of defence against aerial attack.