MEN RECALLED FROM CANADA

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24237, 20 April 1944, Page 5

MEN RECALLED FROM CANADA

R.A.F. WANTS ALL ITS PERSONNEL AIR TRAINING SCHEME NOW AT PEAK (N Z. Press Association —Copyright) {Kec. 1 a.m.) OTTAWA, April W. The Royal Air Force is recalling all its instructors and maintenance crews who have been in Canada co-operat-ing in the British Commonwealth air trailing plan. The Canadiwi Mmister of Air (Mr C. G. Power) told this to the House of Commons. . . “Britain wants these trained fighters and ground crews on the front line at this critical period of the air war, said Mr Power. , , . The training plan, he said, had turned out 100.000 air crews at a cost averaging 25,000 dollars per pilot, a little more for observers, and a little less for gunners. The plan had now reached its peak. A total of 39,000 were trained in 1943 and 41,000 would be trained in 1944. There would then be a tapering off, although all the schools and equipment would be maintained at thehighest efficiency for any eventualities. • , . . . The Minister explained that mostol the training had originally been devoted to pilots, of which there was now a surplus. The German fighter force had not been taking as heavy a part as anticipated. Allied casualties were less than expected/