LATE AUGUST Gen Arnold declines Ms. Cochran's proposal--too few women available vs problems of
housing & training. Says need to train 'fighter pilots', not 'ferry pilots'. Suggests Ms. Cochran accept
British request for American women pilots.

OCTOBER 28 Ms. Cochran and Gen. Arnold meet, she resubmits her proposal. General Arnold
agrees: develop a plan for training women to fly military aircraft.

A FEW DAYS LATER: Gen Arnold confers with Air Marshall Harris. England needs more help. Perhaps
some women. Gen. Arnold requests Ms. Cochran recruit and oversee American women pilots to fly
with the British Air Transport Command. Ms. Cochran agrees to take job with Gen. Arnold’s promise
to call her back if/when to direct work of women pilots at home.

DECEMBER 1 Civil Air Patrol established.

DECEMBER 7 Pearl Harbor attacked by the Japanese. 7 hours later: Japan sends formal declaration
of war.

DECEMBER 8 President Roosevelt signs 'DECLARATION OF WAR' against Japan.

DECEMBER 11 Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S. President Roosevelt signs 'DECLARATION
OF WAR' on Germany and Italy.

DECEMBER 12 Ms. Cochran sends telegrams to 76 qualified women pilots (300 hours) re becoming
British Overseas Airways ATA pilots. Ferry Command reorganizes.

DECEMBER 20 Flying Tigers (Claire Chennault's Am. pilots) enter combat in Kunming, China.

1942

JANUARY 18 Ms. Cochran hears rumor that women pilots are to be hired in US beginning almost
immediately. Contacts Col. Olds. Desperate for pilots, he confirms. Ms. Cochran informs Gen Arnold
‘plan in direct conflict with plan for women's unit in England.

JANUARY 19 Gen. Arnold to Gen. Olds: “make no plans to hire women pilots until Ms. Cochran
returns.”

JANUARY 24 Women pilots going to England sign 18-month contract. Ms. Cochran's contract
w/England will dissolve if/when AAF needs her.

MARCH Jacqueline Cochran and 25 American women pilots cleared to go to England.

MARCH 9 Ferry Command expanded into Air Transport Command. Gen. Harold L. George in charge
of ATC.
3

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