 In August 1941, Rowell returned to Australia to take up the post of Deputy Chief of the General Staff (DCGS), with the rank of major general.He expected that his main task would be to support the AIF; but it turned out the primary concern was the looming war with Japan, which broke out soon after.It was at this juncture that Rowell was approached by Major General George Vasey, who had a scheme to retire all officers over the age of fifty, and making Major General Horace Robertson Commander in Chief.