CAB80-25 — Page 445

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7. The Nore.-Morale and discipline are reported up to R.N. standard, but men are not making much progress in the language. This matter is being enquired into.

(ii) Army.

Free French Forces.

8. Strength.-Old Dean Common, Camberley: 75 Officers, 866 Other Ranks. Accommodation-Improving steadily. Extra accommodation has been provided by A.Q.M.G., Aldershot Command, for intakes.

Equipment. The following has been issued during the Binoculars, 22.

month :

The Hadfield Spears Medical Unit was completely equipped by the addition of 6 Water Tanks and Tropical equipment. This Unit has proceeded

north for embarkation.

Employment. (a) O.C.T.U. and N.C.O. classes continue with satisfactory results. 2 Officers have attended a three months' Course at the Signals School, Catterick.

(b) The Tank Units have done practice driving and have attended technical lectures with the R.M.C. and 2nd Armoured Division. The R.M.C. have been exceedingly helpful.

Security Satisfactory.

Welfare. Thanks to the Amis des Volontaires Français, a large proportion of the men have been able to avail themselves of the grant of leave. The success and propaganda value of this scheme cannot be too highly assessed.

Free French Forces Reception Centre (25 Gordon Street, W.C. 1).

370

Strength

Navy Army

Air

Merchant Navy

Officers.

N.C.O.S.

0. Rs.

1

7

29

28

72

178

16

21

2

15

Accommodation.-All public offices have been repainted.

Security--Satisfactory.

Welfare. Satisfactory.

Morale.-Good.

(iii) Air Force.

9. Seventeen Free French pilots have been serving in R.A.F. Squadrons during the month. The Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command, has expressed his satisfaction with the work of those serving in Fighter Squadrons.

Considerable improvement has been noticed in the morale of the French pupils at the R.A.F. Franco-Belgian Training School at Odiham. In addition to the training being given at Odiham, it has been decided that sixteen Free French pupil pilots shall be accepted in R.A.F. elementary flying training schools in February, and ten monthly from April onwards.

Two Free French pilots from Odiham have passed an Instructors' Course at the Central Flying School, and three more are shortly to take the same course.

B. POLES.

(i) Navy.

10. With reference to iast Report: The Polish Midshipmen have not yet gone to sea in British Battleships and Cruisers, but will do so in the next few weeks.

Thirty Polish Leading Stokers have commenced a 10-week Course in the Mechanical Training Establishment, Devonport.

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