§ Mr. Teelingasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air (1) the number of officers in the air mission in Bordeaux; what are their ranks, office hours and duties, respectively;
(2) how many officers and men are serving on air missions in France; how many of them come directly under the Air Attaché; how many of them speak French sufficiently well to carry out their business; and how many of those stationed in Paris, above the rank of group-captain, have taken part in operational flying duties or held an operational command during the war.
§ Mr. Strachey62 officers and 98 airmen and airwomen, who all come directly under the air attaché are serving with the Royal Air Force Delegation in France. Many of these officers and some of the airmen speak French but their duties can be carried out satisfactorily, either in French or in English. Both the officers above the rank of group-captain who are stationed in Paris have held operational commands, but they were not posted to operational flying duties during the war.
There is no longer a separate Air Mission at Bordeaux. We have, however, a detachment there from the R.A.F. Delegation (Paris) consisting of: One group-captain (engineer), one squadron 252W leader (engineer), one squadron leader (signals), one flight lieutenant (equipment), one flight lieutenant (general duties), and one section officer (administrative). The duties of the detachment are to advise and assist the French training schools in South-West France. Much of their time is necessarily devoted to visiting the French schools rather than to office work.