Page 62 - Demo

62immunities for all foreign governments in this country on an equal footing, which we hope will put an end to these grievances. We shall certainly not treat the Norwegians any worse than the others.%u20198 This was far more likely to have been an unthinking mistake rather than a statement of intent to treat all foreigners equally badly but, either way, it perhaps shows at this stage a less than considerate attitude towards their guests. And it may be no wonder. As yet, the Allied air contingents were being somewhat more trouble than they were immediately worth. Training and re8equipping the Allies would take time, even after the legal and diplomatic issues had been sorted out. Conceivably, even while individual pilots or even flights were joining operational RAF squadrons, and a few complete Allied squadrons were being formed, the bulk of the foreign air forces would not be ready for use for some months, probably not until 1941. However, with the Germans poised to invade, the British Government could not afford to take the long view. At this time the Air Ministry, and the Foreign Office, were being bombarded with requests for everything from the establishment of fully independent air contingents, to clarifications over the payment of income tax.9 The French, under General De Gaulle, were a particularly demanding group. Of course, a long history of Anglo8French rivalry existed, and there was still considerable resentment that the British had not done all that some Frenchmen believed they could have done %u2018Training would take some time%u2019 %u2013 a Battle Trainer of No 304 (Polish) Sqn in 1940.