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ARRIVAL IN MELBOURNE.
MELBOURNE,- Feb. 9.-After a swift
one-day flight of 2.000 miles in a special
RAA.P. bomber, the British Comman
der-in-Chief in the Far East (Air Chief
Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham)
reached Laverton air station just before
sunset tonight. He was welcomed by the
Chief of the Air Staff (Air Chief Mar
shal Sir Charles Burnett). with whom
he will stay in Melbourne.
The arrival in Melbourne was in
marked contrast to his brilliant reception
by escorting planes in Darwin. Sir Charles
Burnett, the Air Officer Commanding the
Southern Area (Air Commodore A. T.
Cole), the Commanding Officer, Laver
ton Station Group (Captain F: W. Lukis),
Captain Wright (representing the Chief
of the General Staff, Lieut.-General Stur
dee) and a few air force mechanics were
the only witnesses of the arrival of the
distinguished visitor.
When he stepped from the machine,
which was piloted by Wing-Commander
J. R. Balmer, Sir Robert Brooke-Popham
told Sir Charles Burnett that he had
had a pleasant trip. He was then intro
duced to the other officers.
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