A VAST ENTERPRISE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25699, 22 November 1944, Page 4

A VAST ENTERPRISE

CANADA’S AERODROME OF DEMOCRACY” ILLUMINATING STATISTICS When the Canadian Minister for Air (Major C. G. Power) disclosed recently the full details of the vast British .Commonwealth air training plan, which is being tapered off after producing to August 25, 1944, a total of 114,253 aircrew members, -he~told- the story behind the force which has played and is playing such a devastating part in the annihilation of Nazism. The full report of Major Power’s announcement discloses an impressive set of statistics. “So long as trained airmen are requited to accomplish the defeat of our enemies,” he said, “so long - will the plan continue to operate.’ Major Power spoke of “ advantageous developments” which made a gradual curtailment programme possible, and said that the trend would be continued m direct proportion to the number or trained air-crew demanded in operational theatres. Releases and Transfers The Royal Canadian, Air Force has suspended recruiting, cut_ back the manufacture of training aircraft, and released 4200 basic trainees.to othei forces. A Toronto commentator says that there was little likelihood that a considerable number of . ’the men awaiting training would ever be required, and that it was therefore considered advisable to release them. They had all volunteered for active service in any theatre, of war. and arrangements had been made which provided that all who _ transferred the army would receive all credits accruing from R.C.A.F. service. These releases and transfers, he added, followed closely the P att _em adopted by the United Kmgdorn and the United States, where large numbers of personnel designated j* I *;* crew service in the Army Air Force had teen placed at the disposal of other branches. Graduates Total 114,253 The Minister emphasised that the release of this large group did not m any way imply a curtailment in the production of aircrew graduates, there were still many thousands of men actually in the various stages of aircrew training. That meant that schools would continue to gradate fully-trained aircrew personnel until well into 1945. It was probable, too, that some remustering or transfer from one aircrew trade to another nugt become necessary, even for ,. p . /iL trained personnel, to ensure that the best possible use was made of avai - able trainees to meet operational commitments overseas. trainees The cumulative total of trainees from all sources, Major Power disclosed, from the inception of the plan to August 25, 1944 was 159,925. lhis figure did not include 5296 R-A-*-Fleet Air Arm personnel who graduated from R.A.F. schools established in Canada before July 1, 1942that contribution, the total, of amcrew graduates was 114,253, of whom were R C.A.F. personnel, 34,361 K.A.*., 8067 R.A.A.F., and 6026 R.N.Z.A.F. Looking Ahead 18 Months When Major Power presented his review, there were 23,859 men undergoing training, of whom many .were New Zealanders, It shoudl be noted, Major Power said, that personnel then commencing training remained the plan for an average of 12. months, and that after graduation they required a further period of post-gad.uate. and operational training and familiarisation of from six to' eight months. _ .On the 'average, a period of 18' to 20 ■ months elapsed between the time an airman commenced ■ aircrew t u rami Pf, day he fired,his,first shot at the enemy. Statistics of present training Production had therefore to be considered in the light of the fact that the plan, was operating in anticipation of quirements, a year and a-half ahead. Discussing the history; of • the plan, Ma j or.. Power said that originally it called for a peak aircrew [production of 20,864 annually. :With expansion of the programme in 1941, ‘ the sights were raised” to a planned peak of 52,503, to be reached, by June -of this year. An actual peak rate was reached in February of this year, when-11,000 training aircraft were in. use-and'3B99 aircrew graduated- for an annual rate of 50,070. But a new agreement between Canada and Great Britain in the same month lowered the objective to a rate of 20,965. Lower Rate by Next Spring

The actual production during August, 1944, was approximately 3215, or at an annual rate of 38,864. ihe lower rate would be reached next spring. Major Power presented the following .statistical review of the plan:— Pilot graduates .. .... 43,268 Navigator graduates .. .. 37,973 Wireless graduates ... .. 15,019 Gunner graduates .. .. 12,238 Engineer graduates, etc. K-, • 667 Ground: staff .. • • - Ground crew overseas ... 34.28 J Technical trainees .. .. 38,44 c Training aircraft at August 25 * .. •• •• •• •• B>ut) s

Giving statistics showing that the total cost of the plan had amounted to 2,304,000,000 dollars, Major Power said that Canada had laid out 1,631,000,000 dollars in cash, and of this amount a total of 442,500,000 dollars was recoverable from Great Britain. He added that negotiations were under way to provide the United Kingdom government with means of liquidating that account. Australia and'New Zealand had made a total cash contribution ot 207,000,000 dollars.