 France, through the favor of pro-communist air minister Pierre Cot also sent a group of trained fighter pilots and engineers to help the Republicans.Also, until 8 September 1936, aircraft could freely pass from France into Spain if they were bought in other countries.French novelist André Malraux was a strong supporter of the Republican cause; he tried to organise a volunteer air force (Escadrile Espana) on the Republican side, but as a practical organiser and squadron leader he was somewhat idealistic and inefficient.