Sir Alan Cunningham (photo Acme Newspictures Inc.)

(May 16) -- The High Commissioner's departure from Palestine on Friday went according to plan - he appeared on the steps of Government House at 8 o'clock in the morning, wearing a full General's uniform.

There he reviewed a guard of honour, consisting of 50 men of the Highland Light Infantry, the last British troops to leave Jerusalem.

Sir Alan Cunningham then drove to Kalandia airfield and boarded a plane for Haifa. Spitfires and Lancasters covered his short car journey.

The last British civil servants left Jerusalem together with Sir Alan: including Sir William Fitz-Gerald, the Chief Justice, and Sir Henry Gurney, the Chief Secretary.

Sir Alan's plane was piloted to Haifa by the Air Officer Commanding in Palestine, Air Commodore Dawson.