 In February 1940 , the War Cabinet decided to form a second AIF division , the 7th Division , and group the 6th and 7th Divisions together as I Corps , with Blamey as its commander . On Blamey 's recommendation , Major General Iven Mackay was appointed to succeed him in command of the 6th Division , while Lieutenant General John Lavarack , a PMF officer , assumed command of the 7th Division . Blamey took Rowell with him as his corps chief of staff , and picked Major General Henry Wynter as his administrative officer . Blamey flew to Palestine on a Qantas flying boat in June 1940 . He refused to allow his troops to perform police duties in Palestine , and established warm relations with the Jewish community there , becoming a frequent guest in their homes . 
