 The relationship between Northcott as Chief of the General Staff and Blamey as Commander @-@ in @-@ Chief bore some similarities to the one between the RAAF 's Chief of the Air Staff , Air Vice Marshal George Jones , and Air Vice Marshal William Bostock , the commander of the RAAF forces in the field , but Blamey was senior to Northcott , both in rank and in the Army 's command structure . The relationship could still have been a delicate one , but in the event it was characterised by none of the rancour and rivalry that marred the wartime administration of the RAAF . In late 1943 , Blamey sought to appoint Northcott as his deputy , but the government turned down his request , on the advice of General Douglas MacArthur , who did not want another officer who was answerable both to himself and the Australian Government . However , when Blamey travelled to Washington , D.C. and London in April 1944 , he arranged for Northcott to act as Commander @-@ in @-@ Chief in his absence . After Wynter 's death in February 1945 , the post of LGA was abolished and the CGS again became responsible for administration . 
