ARMY CHANGES

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21665, 27 February 1942, Page 2

ARMY CHANGES

COMMAND IN FIJI BRIGADIER O. H. MEAD OVERSEAS REPRESENTATION (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, tonight announced the following important Army promotions and appointments. Brigadier O. H. Mead relinquishes the appointment of Officer Commanding Southern Military District, and is promoted to the temporary rank of Major-General and will relieve Major-General W. H. ningham in command of the land forces in Fiji. Major-General Cunningham, who has had a long period of service in Fiji, returns to New Zealand on leave. Colonel R. A. Row relinquishes command of an infantry brigade in New Zealand and is appointed to command a brigade in Fiji with the temporary rank of brigadier, in place of Brigadier L. G. Goss, who is appointed liaison officer for special duties in connection with operations in the Anzac area. Colonel E. T. Rowllings relinquishes command of an infantry brigade in New Zealand and is appointed temporarily to command the Southern Military District with the temporary rank of brigadier. Staff Posts Overseas Colonel R. S. Park is appointed New Zealand Army representative on the joint planning staff in London in addition to • hi's present duties as Army liaison officer, London, and is granted the temporary rank of brigadier. He will be assisted in his liaison duties by Lieutenant-Colonel R. S. Halliwell from the Quartermaster - General’s branch, Army Headquarters. Colonel A. B. Williams is granted the temporary rank of brigadier and is appointed Army representative on the combined British and American staff at Washington. Commenting on these appointments. Mr Jones said the change in the command in Fiji had been made because Major-General Cunningham had had a lengthy period of service in a tropical climate and it was considered unwise to run the risk of his health deteriorating by keeping him there for a further period. Fiji had been strongly reinforced and the consequent reorganisation had now been completed. Major-General Cunningham had had a very heavy task in organising the forces and defences of Fiji and had done excellent work, entitling him to a well-earned rest. Instructors From Middle East The appointments of Army representatives abroad were made to give New Zealand direct Army representation in London, Washington and Australia, where matters of high strategy would be discussed. It was one of the steps toward complete cooperation and co-ordination of the Allied conduct of the war as a whole. The Minister also announced that 57 officers and 62 non-commissioned officers of all arms from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Middle East including some senior officers, were on the way to New Zealand and would be employed at schools of instruction and in units where their recent experience of modern war would be of the greatest value in the defence of the country. AIR FORCE APPOINTMENTS (By Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday Air Force appointments gazetted tonight include the following:— To be Squadron-Leaders: FlightLieutenants Richard James Robert Haldane Makgill, Jonas William Henry Lett, Sidney Noel Withshire. E.G.M., John Joseph Busch, Erik Alfred Anderson Moen, A.F.C., Cameron Archer Turner, Arthur Beale Greenaway, John William Henry Bray, lan Gordon Morrison, John Blundell Price, Alfred Benjamin Lindop, Graham Brook Bell, William Stanley Simpson, M.B.E. ActingSquadron Leaders Aubrey Arthur Ninnis Breckon, D.F.C.. Trevor Owen Freeman, D. 5.0., D.F.C., and John Adams, D.F.C., A.F.C.