WIX Archives
Re: the ages of WW II Pilots
Posted by Tulio on Mon Oct 28, 2002 01:00:44 AM
In reply top the ages of WW II Pilots posted by Karen on Sun Oct 27, 2002 06:35:06 PM
Karen, Christer is correct in mentioning the glider program in Germany, although it is also known that Germany had secret treaties with the (then) Soviet Union, for the testing and building of aircraft, in order to circumvent the Versailles treaty clauses. Pilots also trained there.
In the USA, if I remember correctly, the youngest Naval pilot at one time, was one George H. Bush, who flew Avengers, and who would become our president many years later.
The Wild Blue, book by Stephen Ambrose, tells us that the ages of those flying the B-24s were in average 21 or 22, while someone who was 23 or even 24, was considered to be the "old man." Some crew members were even younger, at 20, 19 or less, with those who lied about their age, in order to enlist and serve.
Saludos!
Tulio