In December 1941 , plans called for training 1,000 AAF glider pilots , but eventually about 5,500 received their wings .
The success of German glider - borne forces early in World War II catapulted the Army Air Forces into a glider program in February 1941 .
In December 1941 , plans called for training 1,000 Army Air Forces glider pilots , but eventually about 5,500 received their wings .
The success of German glider - borne forces early in World War II catapulted the Army Air Forces into a glider program in February 1941 .