BRITISH DEFENCES IN FAR EAST

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 44, 15 November 1940, Page 8

BRITISH DEFENCES IN FAR EAST

Commander-In-Chief Appointed CO-ORDINATION MOVE

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) LONDON, Nov. 14.

Two important announcements in connexion with British defences in the Far East arc the appointment of Air Chief Sit Robert Brooke-Popham as Com-mander-in-Chief in the Far East, and the arrival of further reinforcements there.

The appointment has been made because of the stage reached in the disposition of territories in the bai East, the protection of which is the responsibility of His Majesty s Government, and to ensure coordinated control.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-l’oplmm will shortly leave to take up his new duties at Singapore. His command will cover Malaja. Burma and Hong Kong. It. will be Sir Robert BrookePopham's duty to co-operate with the Government of Burma and the. colonies concerned therewith. He will also communicate with the Australian and New Zealand Governments on all matters of interest to them. He will also keep in touch with the British representatives in foreign countries in or concerned with the Tar East. The new Commander-In-Chief began his career in tlse army, and when he went into the air force he proved an able administrator and pilot. He has had longer service in the air force than any other officer now serving in the forces. He retired in 1937 on his appointment as Governor of Kenya, but rejoined the active list on the outbreak of the war. resigning his governorship to become a member of the mission to Canada in connexion with the Empire air training scheme last November. In May he headed the British mission to South Africa to investigate the possibilities of air training there.