FRANCE’S YOUTH FOR THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 190, 8 May 1940, Page 9

FRANCE’S YOUTH FOR THE AIR

Methods Of Training

France is developing her air force by putting continuously into service waves of enthusiastic and highly-train-ed youths. They are keen, intelligent lads of from 16 to 20, many of whom will in a few weeks be turned out 100 per cent, efficient from their technical schools to take their place with active squadrons (writes a representative of the London "Daily Telegraph”).

At a large and well-equipped school there are several thousand embryo airmechanics, electricians, radio telegraphists and photographic operators who will soon be using their cameras above the enemy lines. All have a general knowledge of the equipment of all types of aircraft. They came from almost every town and village in France, and some, even, from overseas. There are dusky boys from far-away parts of France's empire and officers and N.C.O.’s from the Ear East. When this particular school was founded about 10 years irgo, it turned out 150 fully-qualified men. Last year, before the present war began, it. hud sent 1500 to the air force and the number now runs into several thousands, all of whom have undergone ir thorough training.'

The training has been speeded up by longer working hours. Long before the present necessities the schools' had turned out 4500 aircraftmen, 1000 radio operators, i>oo air electricians, 300 photographers and 300 fitters.

Two years ago, when the expansion plan drawn up by M. Guy la Chambre, the Air Minister, was put. into effect, energetic steps were taken by the Air General Staff to provide the air force with adequate specialized mechanics, and last year the plan was still further enlarged.

The task providing tlie requisite men appeared formidable. The Air Technical Schools quickly overcame it. and today they are capable of meeting all the demands