The French Pilot Training Experience at Oscoda Army Air Field During World War II

The pilots in each detachment were given an intensive six-weeks course in combat flying. Because this training program was a one-time event and was of relatively short duration, little is known about this unique chapter of the U. S. Army Air Force's World War II training program. The shortage of flying instructors proficient in French resulted in a decision to assign some of the more proficient French pilots as instructors as well. 24 The American instructor was quite aware that it was his inability to explain on the spot-and those spots were short in time-rather than the lack of ability of his student to fly that was the source of the problem. Because of the latent danger created by poor communication, Training Command asked and obtained from the French Headquarters in Washington the permission to keep some of the trainees for flight instructor's duty from the very beginning. Wassing was sentenced to eighteen months at hard labor, dismissal from the service, and forfeiture of all pay and allowances. Because they were flying close formation, following the lead ship flown by Wassing, Erard and Fabby were allowed to continue in the program and graduated with the other members of their detachment in September.30 After the Allied forces successfully pushed the German army out of France and began to take control of large sections of Germany in the spring of 1945, the French flight training program experienced adjustments as the war in Europe came to a close. Facilities that had been used to train British pilots were now available to train Free French pilots French aviators continued their operational training under the instruction of Army Air Force pilots [Blood's] experience as a P-47 combat pilot in Europe was invaluable in guiding the pilots in gunnery practice Some of the French pilots brought their wives or girlfriends ... and installed them in local resort cabins In order to converse with the French pilots, Wagner bought a French language instructional manual There were twenty-five aircraft incidents or accidents involving French pilots The gunnery range at Oscoda continued to be used by French pilots ... at Selfridge until August 1945 NOTES 1.