Former commercial German and Italian pilots trained for flying bombers according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 11 March 1942

An item referred to a reliable British source reporting that German and Italian pilots which were earlier in commercial service on flights in South America and on the trans-Atlantic route were now trained to fly 150 bombers stationed in western France. It was believed that these bombers were to be used for attack the shipping from and to West African harbours and South American keypoints. The J.I.C. commented that these pilots were such valuable due to their knowledge of the West Africa-Natal route and areas and South American out-of-the-way places.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 91 dated 11 March 1942.