 MacArthur was annoyed at the way that Royle , a Royal Navy officer , communicated directly with the Admiralty ; he was also aware that Royle had been critical of SWPA 's command arrangements , and of some of his decisions . MacArthur proposed that an Australian officer , Captain John Collins , replace Royle as CNS , an appointment that Carpender also supported . Over the Admiralty 's objections , Curtin appointed Collins to replace Crutchley as Commander , Task Force 44 , in June 1944 , at the rank of commodore , with the intention that Collins would replace Royle when his term expired . This did not occur , because Collins was seriously wounded in Leyte Gulf on 21 October 1944 . 
