PACT Centres
DFCP, the first 4 PACT Centres were opened in March 1943 as the Air Crew Training Wing, based in Brighton, could not cope with the number of recruits failing their educational test. By September of that year there were 21 centres.
As you say, the whole system was grinding to a halt in 1944 due to the surplus of men. The PACT centres began to close down in August 1944 as the intake figures (and therefore the number of men failing their educational test) dropped off; the last 2 closed in February 1945.
[Source: "Observers and Navigators" C G Jefford]
On the subject of the 1944 surplus (which was due to the success of the training programme [3,000 PNB's per month] and changes in policy / technology) the book suggests that "holding" reduced costs as it was far cheaper to have a half trained aircrafthand than a fully trained aircrew sergeant .... hence the frustrations for those enlisting post 1943.
Last edited by Petet; 5th Aug 2012 at 16:57.