Originally Posted by
Styx75
I remember reading that there were more training losses during WWII then combat losses... Something like a 10% attrition rate...
FWIW My father was sent from Oz to UK, flew a combat tour (Bomber Command, Lancasters) and then was posted as an instructor converting fresh pilots onto heavies (Wellingtons and Sterlings). I remember him telling me once he saw more killed in training than he did in combat. That may have just been his experience (and perception long afterwards). They were pushing through crews at a great rate, the consequence was training casualties. These were young men most of whom hadn't driven a car before getting trained as pilots. He was flying combat in Lancasters with about 400hrs TT.