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Training. During January, six Polish pilots went to Central Flying School for training as flying instructors.
In Fighter O.T.U.s sufficient vacancies are being reserved for Polish pilots to meet expected wastage, not only in Polish Fighter Squadrons, but amongst Polish pilots in R.A.F. Fighter Squadrons; pilots to feed these O.T.U.s and also the Polish Bomber O.T.U. until an output is available from flying training schools will be found mainly from the 150 trained pilots still in the Polish Depot, Blackpool.
During January, Polish Aircrew personnel have been entered for training as
follows:
To advanced Signal School
To Air Observer and Navigation School To Bombing and Gunnery School
75
20
20
At the R.A.F. Polish Depot, Blackpool, 575 Poles started elementary and technical training during January, making a total of over 950 under training there.
(i) Navy.
C. DUTCH.
13. The Royal Netherlands Navy have manned the ex-American Destroyer Campbeltown.
The Colombia of 11,000 tons has arrived in the United Kingdom and will be used in due course as a training ship and submarine depot ship.
Western Approaches.--The civilian crews of three Dutch Pilot Vessels employed in examination service at Milford Haven, who were reluctant to continue in military duties, have been replaced by British R.N. Patrol Service personnel. The Dutch Naval Authorities have taken over these men and will conscript them in their own Navy.
The crews of the six Dutch minesweepers at Barrow are reported as having excellent discipline and morale.
Portsmouth. The rearming of the new Light Cruiser Heemskirck is progressing. Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, has expressed appreciation of the valuable help rendered by the Dutch on the occasion of the air raid on the 10th January.
The Nore. Nothing new to report.
Rosyth.-Discontent had been expressed in private conversation by two members of one of the Dutch submarine crews at Dundee, but this appears to be an exceptional incident as the morale and discipline of the crews as a whole is favourably commented on by Captain (S). The Dutch Admiral has been informed.
(ii) Army.
14. Strength.-Knutsford: 5 Officers, 8 Other Ranks.
Ranton Abbey :
3 Officers, 148 Other Ranks. Congleton: 70 Officers, 1,373 Other Ranks.
Equipment. The following has been issued during the month :-
Compressor trucks
Bren Guns
Thompson Sub-Machine Guns
3-inch Mortars
2-inch Mortars
Pistols, signal
Binoculars
17 Ironsides equipped with 2 Bren guns each have arrived. Employment. (a) Both Battalions training.
1
51
6
20
(b) The short senior Officer's Course terminated on the 28th January, with satisfactory results.
(c) Colonel Phaff, Adjutant to Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina, took over command of the Dutch Brigade.
(d) Detachment of 7 Officers and 37 Other Ranks left Congleton for Canada. (e) Major-General Dickinson, Western Command, visited the camp on the 14th January.
(f) Lord Gort inspected the Dutch Brigade on the 28th January.
Morale.-Good.
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