The Michigan chronicle., 1943-10-23
But PROMISES
TO SPEED RACE
TRAINING PLAN
Says Negroes Will Fly
Type Of Plane Used
By DO0little


tary of War Henry L. Stimson ad-
mitted last Thursday that there has
been some delay in the start of the
training of Negro bombardiers
gunners and navigators owing to
change in the equipment. but that
when this program gets under way
the type planes they will be man.
ming will be B-25's. the same type
craft that Gen. Jimmy Doolittle
used in the bombing of Tokyo.
On September Asst. Sec. John
]. McCloy had announced at the
regular press conference that in
about month, Negro cadets would
be sent to either Fort Dodge, Kans,
or Del Rio, Texas. "to start train
ing in aZB-26 Transition school
with objective the command of B.
26 airplanes." He said too that
somewhat later, Negro cadets would
receive training as navigator and
bombardier officers along with
white students. and that ultimately
these men would be used to COM
plete the crews of this medium
bombardment group" due for ac-
tivation by July l, 1914.
Pilot Training Delayed
At last weeks conference Mr..
Stimson was asked whether the
report Of delays in the Inauguration
of this program was true. He said.
There has been a slight delay in
training for pilots due TO changes
in the character of the plane de-
signed for their equipment. AS a
result of that change from B-26 to
BIS bombers." he added. "the Sc
lected cadets will be trained by
the western flight training COM
mand."
The secretary did not explain this
but elsewhere it was learned that
the reason for the change from B.
26s to B-25's is attributable to the
fact that the army air force has
ordered the discontinuance Of the
manufacture OF the 26's, product
Of the Glenn L. Martin plant. The
North American makes the B-25's
BPS HAS ADVANTAGES
The explanation given is tha,
while il is faster plane than the
other. the Martin bomber is hard
er to fly and is manageable only
by the very best type OF pilots,
experts. the highest skilled" On
the other hand. it was said. the B.
IS has all the advantages in COM
bat as the Martin plane but less
risk to the crew. For this reason
the air force will increase its use
OF B-25's.
A source in the war department
said that group Of pilots at the
TuSkegee Flying school had been
trained in the handling of twin
engine aircraft for the purpose of
acquainting them with its features.
As soon as preparations are COM
pleted. this source revealed. the
men will be sent 10 the training
center where they will learn from
actual contact how TO handle the
real thing. The training plane has
speed about zoo m.p.h. whereas
+ me operations plane at the transit
ton schools has speed OF from $50
TO 375 mpm
Training Pushed Forward
With regard 10 the other men
who will make up the crews of the
medium bombardier group. Secre-
tary Stimson had this comment to
make: The training Of the other
class. the bombers and navigators.
has been pushed forward to the
latter part OF this month rather
than early in December as il was
originally planned.
These men will be trained al
the central training command al
stations to be selected by that COM
mand. White personnel will be re-
ceiving the same training at these
stations at the same time"
Other operating personnel TO
round out the crews are already
in training at schools and install
lations., he pointed out.