Originally Posted by
vimhawkraf
I understand that the Empire training scheme churned out a surplus of (RAF) pilots toward the end of the war, many of whom were sitting around waiting for a squadron when ..... Arnhem happened and the army suddenly found itself very short of glider pilots. Many of these pilots awaiting appointment then suddenly found themselves attached to the Glider Pilot Regiment and ended up on Operation Varsity (airborne operation supporting the crossing of the Rhine).
It wasn't just the Empire Training Scheme but the American BFTS, Arnold, and Towers schemes.
My late Father trained under the BFTS scheme in Miami, Oklahoma. Upon return to UK he was sent to the Aircrew Reception Centre at Harrogate where he was told he would become a Glider Pilot (despite having recommendations for fighters). He took a Horsa across the Rhine aged 20.
What most people don't realise is that 2/3rds of the pilots on Op VARSITY were RAF. Indeed, this is reflected in the casualty figures.