Training of RAF Pilots Before and During the Battle of Britain
The comprehensive and rigorous training of RAF pilots played a pivotal role in the success of the Battle of Britain in 1940. This article explores the journey of these pilots from novice trainees to competent combatants, highlighting the challenges they faced and the improvements made to their training during one of the pivotal battles in aviation history.
Until they were considered COMPETENT to go on operations, new pilots were trained extensively, but true experience could only come from operations, where the casualty rate was particularly high for First Timers. Prior to the Battle of Britain, when expediency reduced the training schedule, the RAF maintained a high standard of pilot training, ensuring that only the most promising candidates progressed. This article delves into the training processes and the role of Operational Training Units (OTUs) in shaping capable pilots by the time of the critical battle.
Prior to the Battle of Britain
Before the Battle of Britain, the RAF had the highest standard of pilot training in the world. Student pilots were expected to be proficient quickly; those considered no-hopers were often eliminated early in the process. Geoffrey Wellum, in his book First Light, describes his own experiences and anxieties as an aspiring pilot. Wellum joined the RAF in July 1939 at the age of 18 and underwent rigorous training over a period of nearly a year. His path was not without challenges, with constant worries about washouts and the possibility of being “bowler-hatted”—that is, being sent home with a flat cap after failing a course. The training process was designed to weed out unsuitable candidates while ensuring that those who remained were well-prepared.
The training regimen was structured meticulously. After initial elementary flying, pilots undertook advanced training on advanced aircraft like the DH Tiger Moth. Solo flights were achieved after only seven hours of flying. This was followed by four months of advanced training, culminating in the issuance of wings and an RAF commission. Pilots then proceeded to OTUs, where they learned to fly front-line aircraft with the guidance of experienced instructors. On average, the pilots trained for a year, with approximately 200 hours of flight time and significant time spent on link trainers to familiarize themselves with instrument flight.
Training During the Battle of Britain
At the start of World War II, new pilots who had passed Elementary Flying Training Schools and been selected for future fighter roles received advanced training in Service Flying Training Schools on aircraft like the Miles Master or Harvard. These pilots were not immediately given access to fighters; instead, they were posted to operational squadrons, where they would learn to fly and fight. This method, while effective, was not ideal in the fast-paced environment of war.
To address this, Fighter Command initiated Group Pools at the beginning of the Battle of Britain. These pools consisted of surplus aircraft that were used to provide new partially trained pilots with a short operational conversion course. This initiative aimed to clarify the lines of responsibility between Training Command and Fighter Command and established a more formal structure through the creation of OTUs. No. 5 OTU was established in February 1940 at Aston Down, Gloucestershire, with No. 6 and No. 7 following soon after. By the height of the battle, pilots underwent training at these units, typically receiving about 40 hours of instruction, though this was reduced to 20 hours in some cases. These OTUs significantly increased their output, with an impressive rate of 280 pilots per month by early September 1940.
Conclusion
Despite the challenges, the systematic training process of RAF pilots, combined with the establishment of OTUs, ensured that a steady stream of capable and knowledgeable pilots was ready to face the Luftwaffe in the critical Battle of Britain. The improvement in training processes during this time contributed significantly to the eventual victory of the RAF, making the Battle of Britain a testament to the effectiveness of comprehensive and structured pilot training.