21 MARCH 1941, Page 3

An International Air Force The story of the Allied -

airmen who are now fighting or training in this country side by side with the R.A.F. will provide some fascinating chapters for the future historian. Among them are Czechs, Poles, Norwegians, Dutch, Belgians and Free Frenchmen; who came, some of them by devious routes, some direct, to Great Britain after the fall of their countries. The steps which have been taken to bring these men together into units of their own, to give them a working knowledge of England, to complete their training, and enable them to operate as squadrons at stations which they share with the R.A.F. were described in an article by the Aeronautical Correspondent of The Times last Tuesday. Magnificent achievements stand to the credit of these Allied airmen. One Polish squadron alone claims more than i5o victims ; and the Czechs have proved themselves not only valiant in the air but also most skilful as 'craftsmen on the ground. In this connexion t should be mentioned that the American Eagle squadron, consisting of United States volunteers, will shortly be ready for operational flying with the Fighter Command. Such co- operation between. men of different nationalities, all (except, of course, the Americans) responsible to their own Govern- ments, but fighting in intimate comradeship with the British, has surely a profound significance for the future. Here in rune of war thousands of men are gaining practical experience of training and fighting as an international force for a common International cause. May we not see here the nucleus of an International Air Force which may be constituted when the war is over?