AIR FORCE OFFICERS DISMISSED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 7, 9 January 1946, Page 5

AIR FORCE OFFICERS DISMISSED

OUTCOME OF INQUIRY IN AUSTRALIA DISSATISFACTION WITH TACTICAL AIR FORCE Recd. 6 p.m. Melbourne, Jan. 8. The services of three high Air Force officers have been terminated by the Air Board.

The officers are: Air Commodore A. S. Cobby, who is not of the permanent staff; Group Captains W. H. Gibson and R. H. Simms, of the permanent staff.

The Air Board’s action resulted from the report of Mr. J. V. Barry, K.C., on the R.A.A.F. administration at Morotai.

One of Mr. Barry’s terms of reference was to inquire into causes of dissatisfaction among officers of the First Tactical Air Force, several of whom resigned a few months before the end of the war. Mr. Barry found there was “widespread discontent" and dissatisfaction within the First Tactical Air Force. Two of the main reasons for discontent were opinions generally held about the nature of its operational activities, and the attitude of certain senior staff officers. He referred to Cobby, Simms and Gibson in his report. Cobby holds the C.8.E., D. 5.0., D.F.C. and two bars and the George Medal, was Australia's air ace in the first, world war, in which he shot down

33 planes. He was air officer commanding the First Tactical Air Force at Morotai. Simins and Gibson were senior officers under his command. Simms has been in lhe Air Force for 18 years, and Gibson to? 12 years.