Royal Flying Corps

1726:. When the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) arrived in France in August 1914, it had no observation balloons and it was not until April 1915 that the first balloon company was on strength, albeit on loan from the French Aérostiers. The first British unit arrived 8 May 1915, and commenced operations during the Battle of Aubers Ridge. Operations from balloons thereafter continued throughout the war. Highly hazardous in operation, a balloon could only be expected to last a fortnight before damage or destruction. Results were also highly dependent on the expertise of the observer and was subject to the weather conditions. To keep the balloon out of the range of artillery fire, it was necessary to locate the balloons some distance away from the front line or area of military operations. However, the stable platform offered by a kite-balloon made it more suitable for the cameras of the day than an aircraft. 2674:, a New Zealander, made the first British military parachute jump from a heavier-than-air craft. The jump, from 600 feet, was successful but although parachutes were issued to the crews of observation balloons, the higher authorities in the RFC and the Air Board were opposed to the issuing of parachutes to pilots of heavier-than-air craft. It was felt at the time that a parachute might tempt a pilot to abandon his aircraft in an emergency rather than continuing the fight. The parachutes of the time were also heavy and cumbersome, and the added weight was frowned upon by some experienced pilots as it adversely affected aircraft with already marginal performance. It was not until 16 September 1918 that an order was issued for all single-seater aircraft to be fitted with parachutes, and this did not eventuate until after the war. 2369:

and later encompassed tactical low-level bombing of enemy ground forces. While Trenchard did not oppose the strategic bombing of Germany in principle, he opposed moves to divert his forces on to long-range bombing missions as he believed the strategic role to be less important and his resource to be too limited. Secondly, he stressed the importance of morale, not only of his own airmen, but more generally the detrimental effect that the presence of an aircraft had upon the morale of opposing ground troops. Finally, Trenchard had an unswerving belief in the importance of offensive action. Although this belief was widely held by senior British commanders, the RFC's offensive posture resulted in the loss of many men and machines and some doubted its effectiveness.

1850:'s (the British Expeditionary Force commander) first official dispatch on 7 September included the following: "I wish particularly to bring to your Lordships' notice the admirable work done by the Royal Flying Corps under Sir David Henderson. Their skill, energy, and perseverance has been beyond all praise. They have furnished me with most complete and accurate information, which has been of incalculable value in the conduct of operations. Fired at constantly by friend and foe, and not hesitating to fly in every kind of weather, they have remained undaunted throughout. Further, by actually fighting in the air, they have succeeded in destroying five of the enemy's machines." 2094:

individual pilots or small flights against targets of opportunity. Although the fitted machine guns were the primary armament for ground attack, bomb racks holding 20 lb Cooper bombs were soon fitted to many single-seat aircraft. Ground attack sorties were carried out at very low altitude and were often highly effective, in spite of the primitive nature of the weaponry involved, compared with later conflicts. The moral effect on ground troops subjected to air attack could even be decisive. Such operations became increasingly hazardous for the attacking aircraft, as one hit from small arms fire could bring an aircraft down and troops learned

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photo-reconnaissance aircraft were soon operational in numbers with the RFC. The camera was usually fixed to the side of the fuselage, or operated through a hole in the floor. The increasing need for surveys of the western front and its approaches, made extensive aerial photography essential. Aerial photographs were exclusively used in compiling the British Army's highly detailed 1:10,000 scale maps introduced in mid-1915. Such were advances in aerial photography that the entire Somme Offensive of July–November 1916 was based on the RFC's air-shot photographs.

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not posted to the battery they were colocated with. This led to concerns as to who had responsibility for them and in November 1916 squadron commanders had to be reminded "that it is their duty to keep in close touch with the operators attached to their command, and to make all necessary arrangements for supplying them with blankets, clothing, pay, etc" (Letter from Headquarters, 2nd Brigade RFC dated 18 November 1916 – Public Records Office AIR/1/864)

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were sent on their first sortie with only a brief introduction to the aircraft from the pilot. Once they were certified as fully qualified, the observer was awarded the coveted half-wing brevet. When it had been awarded this could not be forfeited, so it essentially amounted to a decoration. Originally in the RFC, as in most early air forces, the observer was nominally in command of the aircraft with the pilot having the role of a "

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RFC signallers on the ground beside the battery command post to pick out calls for fire in their battery's Zone. Once ranging started the airman reported the position of the ranging round using the clock code, the battery adjusted their firing data and fired again, and the process was repeated until the pilot observed an on-target or close round. The battery commander then decided how much to fire at the target.

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and the process was repeated until the target was effectively engaged. One early communication method was for the flier to write a note and drop it to the ground where it could be recovered but various visual signalling methods were also used. This meant the pilots had to observe the battery to see when it fired and see if it had laid out a visual signal using white marker panels on the ground.

304:. Because of its potential for the 'devastation of enemy lands and the destruction of industrial and populous centres on a vast scale', he recommended a new air service be formed that would be on a level with the Army and Royal Navy. The formation of the new service would also make the under-used men and machines of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) available for action on the 1979:

signals coming in from the aircraft, the operator had to communicate back to the aircraft by means of cloth strips laid out on the ground or a signalling lamp to give visual confirmation that the signals had been received. The wireless communication was one way as no receiver was mounted in the aircraft and the ground station could not transmit. Details from:

1955:. However, in early 1915 the Sterling lightweight wireless became available and was widely used. In 1915 each corps in the BEF was assigned a RFC squadron solely for artillery observation and reconnaissance duties. The transmitter filled the cockpit normally used by the observer and a trailing wire antenna was used which had to be reeled in prior to landing. 2507:

to the RFC from other regiments and could return when they were no longer able to fly but in a separate service this would be impossible. The formation of the new service would make underused RNAS resources available for the Western Front, as well as ending the inter-service rivalry that at times had adversely affected aircraft procurement.

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squadron also had on complement an equipment officer, armaments officer (each with five other ranks) and a transport officer, in charge of twenty-two other ranks. The squadron transport establishment typically included one car, five light tenders, seven heavy tenders, two repair lorries, eight motorcycles and eight trailers.

1809:(observer) and his pilot, Lieutenant Vivian Hugh Nicholas Wadham, made the crucial observation of the 1st German Army's approach towards the flank of the British Expeditionary Force. This allowed the BEF Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Sir John French to realign his front and save his army around Mons. 2381:

the RFC mustered 421 aircraft, with 4 kite-balloon squadrons and 14 balloons. These made up four brigades, which worked with the four British armies. By the end of the Somme offensive in November 1916, the RFC had lost 800 aircraft and 252 aircrew killed (all causes) since July 1916, with 292 tons of

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was the commander of the Royal Flying Corps in France from August 1915 until January 1918. Trenchard's time in command was characterised by three priorities. First was his emphasis on support to and co-ordination with ground forces. This support started with reconnaissance and artillery co-ordination

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The obvious potential for aerial bombardment of the enemy was not lost on the RFC, and despite the poor payload of early war aircraft, bombing missions were undertaken. Front line squadrons (at the prompting of the more inventive pilots) devised several methods of carrying, aiming and dropping bombs.

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The wireless operators' work was often carried out under heavy artillery fire in makeshift dug-outs. The artillery batteries were important targets and antennas were a lot less robust than the guns, hence prone to damage requiring immediate repair. As well as taking down and interpreting the numerous

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The ground stations were generally attached to heavy artillery units, such as Royal Garrison Artillery Siege Batteries, and were manned by RFC wireless operators, such as Henry Tabor. These wireless operators had to fend for themselves as their squadrons were situated some distance away and they were

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One of the initial and most important uses of RFC aircraft was observing artillery fire behind the enemy front line at targets that could not be seen by ground observers. The fall of shot of artillery fire were easy enough for the pilot to see, providing he was looking in the right place at the right

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buildings, fuel and weapon stores, wireless huts and other support structures as well as the aircraft hangarage and repair facilities. Narborough and Marham both started off as Night Landing Grounds a few miles apart. One was an RNAS Station, the other RFC. Narborough grew to be the largest aerodrome

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established a sub-committee to examine the question of military aviation in November 1911. On 28 February 1912 the sub-committee reported its findings which recommended that a flying corps be formed and that it consist of a naval wing, a military wing, a central flying school and an aircraft factory.

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The RFC contributed significantly to slowing the German advance and ensuring the controlled retreat of the Allied Armies did not turn into a rout. The battle reached its peak on 12 April, when the newly formed RAF dropped more bombs, and flew more missions than any other day during the war. The cost

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The Royal Engineers' Air Battalion had pioneered experiments with wireless telegraphy in airships and aircraft before the RFC was created. Unfortunately the early transmitters weighed 75 pounds and filled a seat in the cockpit. This meant that the pilot had to fly the aircraft, navigate, observe the

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At the start of the war, numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5 Squadrons were equipped with aeroplanes. No. 1 Squadron had been equipped with balloons but all these were transferred to the Naval Wing in 1913; thereafter No. 1 Squadron reorganised itself as an 'aircraft park' for the British Expeditionary Force. The

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Landing Grounds were often L-shaped, usually arrived at by removing a hedge boundary between two fields, and thereby allowing landing runs in two directions of 400–500 metres (1,300–1,600 ft). Typically they would be manned by only two or three airmen, whose job was to guard the fuel stores and

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The composition of an RFC squadron varied depending on its designated role, although the commanding officer was usually a major (in a largely non-operational role), with the squadron 'flights' (annotated A, B, C etc.) the basic tactical and operational unit, each commanded by a captain. A 'recording

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to the War Council on the future of air power. Because of its potential for the 'devastation of enemy lands and the destruction of industrial and populous centres on a vast scale', he recommended a new air service be formed that would be on a level with the Army and Royal Navy. Pilots were seconded

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on 17 October with 11 DH-4s and a week later nine Handley Page O/100s carried out a night attack against factories in Saarbrücken, while 16 F.E.2bs bombed railways nearby. Four aircraft failed to return. The wing was expanded with the later addition of Nos 99 and 104 Squadrons, both flying the DH-4

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An important development was the Zone Call procedure in 1915. By this time maps were 'squared' and a target location could be reported from the air using alphanumeric characters transmitted in Morse code. Batteries were allocated a Zone, typically a quarter of a mapsheet, and it was the duty of the

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Development of procedures had been the responsibility of No 3 Squadron and the Royal Artillery in 1912–13. These methods usually depended on the pilot being tasked to observe the fire against a specific target and report the fall of shot relative to the target, the battery adjusted their aim, fired

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The RFC's wireless experiments under Major Herbert Musgrave, included research into how wireless telegraphy could be used by military aircraft. However, the most important officers in wireless development were Lieutenants Donald Lewis and Baron James in the RFC HQ wireless unit formed in France in

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Following Sir David Henderson's return from France to the War Office in August 1915, he submitted a scheme to the Army Council which was intended to expand the command structure of the Flying Corps. The Corps' wings would be grouped in pairs to form brigades and the commander of each brigade would

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Following the creation of brigades, wings took on specialised functions. Corps wings undertook artillery observation and ground liaison duties, with one squadron detached to each army corps. Army wings were responsible for air superiority, bombing and strategic reconnaissance. United Kingdom based

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and ten other ranks in the administration section of the squadron. Each flight contained on average between six and ten pilots (and a corresponding number of observers, if applicable) with a senior sergeant and thirty-six other ranks (as fitters, riggers, metalsmiths, armourers, etc.). The average

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Dual flying training usually weeded out those not suitable for flying training (approximately 45% of the initial class intake) before the remaining cadets were taught in the air by an instructor ( initially a 'tour-expired' pilot sent for a rest from an operational squadron in France, without any

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Many pilots were initially seconded to the RFC from their original regiments by becoming an observer. Some RFC ground crew (often NCO's or below) also volunteered for these flying duties as they then received supplementary flying pay. There was no formal training for observers until 1917 and many

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in March 1918 was an all-out effort to win the war before the German economy collapsed from the pressures exerted on it by the Royal Navy's blockade and the strains of war. In the weeks following the launch of the attack, RFC crews flew unceasingly, with all types of aircraft bombing and strafing

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and Royal Navy, new terminology was thought necessary in order to avoid marking the Corps out as having a particularly Army or Navy ethos. Accordingly, the Corps was originally split into two wings: a Military Wing (i.e. an army wing) and a Naval Wing. By 1914, the Naval Wing had become the Royal

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in 1917. The immediate effect was to halve fatalities in training. The curriculum was based on a combination of classroom theory and dual flight instruction. Students were not to be discouraged from potentially dangerous manoeuvres but were exposed to them in a controlled environment so that the

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on 8 October 1914, and a headquarters was established at the aerodrome next to the local race course. Over the next few days the four squadrons arrived, and for the next four years Saint-Omer was a focal point for all RFC operations in the field. Although most squadrons only used Saint-Omer as a

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With the bulk of the operational squadrons engaged in France few could be spared for home defence in the UK. Therefore, training squadrons were called on to supply home defence aircraft and aircrews for the duration of the war. Night flying and defence missions were often flown by instructors in

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Aircraft were increasingly engaged in ground attack operations as the war wore on, aimed at disrupting enemy forces at or near the front line and during offensives. While formal tactical bombing raids were planned and usually directed at specific targets, ground-attack was usually carried out by

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The results were mixed. Observing artillery fire, even from above, requires training and skill. Within artillery units, ground observers received mentoring to develop their skill, which was not available to RFC aircrew. There were undoubtedly some very skilled artillery observers in the RFC, but

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being raised to divisional status in December 1917. Additionally, although the Royal Flying Corps in France was never titled as a division, by March 1916 it comprised several brigades and its commander (Trenchard) had received a promotion to major-general, giving it in effect divisional status.

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were not available to pilots of heavier-than-air craft in the RFC – nor were they used by the RAF during the First World War – although the Calthrop Guardian Angel parachute (1916 model) was officially adopted just as the war ended. By this time parachutes had been used by balloonists for three

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For a short time after the formation of the RAF, pre-RAF ranks such as Lieutenant, Captain and Major continued to exist, a practice that officially ended on 15 September 1919. For this reason, some early RAF memorials and gravestones show ranks that no longer exist in the modern RAF. A typical

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On its inception in 1912 the Royal Flying Corps consisted of a Military and a Naval Wing, with the Military Wing consisting of three squadrons each commanded by a major. The Naval Wing, with fewer pilots and aircraft than the Military Wing, did not organise itself into squadrons until 1914; it

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At the end of the war there were 5,182 pilots in service (constituting 2% of total RAF personnel). In comparison, the casualties from the RFC/RNAS/RAF for 1914–18 totalled 9,378 killed or missing, with 7,245 wounded. Some 900,000 flying hours on operations were logged, and 6,942 tons of bombs

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From 16,000 feet a photographic plate could cover some 2 by 3 miles (3.2 km × 4.8 km) of front line in sharp detail. In 1915 Lieutenant-Colonel JTC Moore-Brabrazon designed the first practical aerial camera. These semi-automatic cameras became a high priority for the Corps and

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An unusual mission for the RFC was the delivery of spies behind enemy lines. The first mission took place on the morning of 13 September 1915 and was not a success. The plane crashed, the pilot and spy were badly injured and they were both captured (two years later the pilot, Captain T.W.

2545:, a former CO of 60 Squadron, appalled at the high fatality rate during training in 1915–16 and the poor standard of newly trained pilots, formulated a comprehensive curriculum for pilot training, and with the agreement of Trenchard, returned to the UK to implement his training ethos at 2402:

beginning on 9 April 1917, the RFC deployed 25 squadrons, totalling 365 aircraft, a third of which were fighters (scouts). The British lost 245 aircraft with 211 aircrew killed or missing & 108 as prisoners of war. The German Air Services lost just 66 aircraft from all causes.

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cabin biplane, with which he had just broken a world endurance record, entered a spin at 700 feet above ground level at Larkhill. Four months later, on 11 December 1912, Parke was killed when the Handley Page monoplane in which he was flying from Hendon to Oxford crashed.

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and the adoption of a continually offensive stance operationally in efforts to pin the enemy back led to many brave fighting exploits and high casualties – over 700 in 1916, the rate worsening thereafter, until the RFC's nadir in April 1917 which was dubbed

2133:. The RFC (and the Royal Naval Air Service) initially had limited success against the German raids, largely through the problem of locating the attackers and having aircraft of sufficient performance to reach the operating altitude of the German raiders. 2441:

led to the transfer of 3 RFC Sopwith Camel fighter squadrons (28, 45 and 66), two two-seater squadrons (34 and 42, with RE8s) and No. 4 Balloon Wing to the Italian Front in November 1917. No. 139 Squadron (Bristol Fighters) were added in July 1918.

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over 300 aircraft from 14 RFC squadrons, including the Sopwith Camel, armed with four 9 kg (20 lb) bombs, constantly raided enemy trenches, troop concentrations, artillery positions and strongholds in co-operation with tanks and infantry.

1892:) marking, with the colours reversed (the blue circle outermost). In contrast to usual French practice, the roundel was applied to the fuselage sides as well as the wings. To minimise the likelihood of "friendly" attack, the rudders of RFC aircraft 1465:

Stations that were heavily used or militarily important grew by compulsorily purchasing extra land, changing designations as necessary. Aerodromes would often grow into sprawling sites, due to the building of headquarters/administration offices,

2531:), so that the death or incapacity of the pilot normally meant an inevitable crash – but nonetheless many observers gained at least rudimentary piloting skills, and it was very common for experienced observers to be selected for pilot training. 1794:. The mission was not a great success; to save weight each aircraft carried a pilot only instead of the usual pilot and observer. Because of this, and poor weather, both of the pilots lost their way and only one was able to complete his task. 1352:

had also been stood up. Additional wings continued to be created throughout World War I in line with the incessant demands for air units. The last RFC wing to be created was the 54th Wing in March 1918, just prior to the creation of the RAF.

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Typically a training airfield consisted of a 2,000 feet (610 m) grass square. There were three pairs plus one single hangar, constructed of wood or brick, 180 feet (55 m) x 100 feet (30 m) in size. There were up to 12 canvas

2454:, concentrating RFC units based in Macedonia, Mesopotamia, Palestine and East Africa under one unified command. In the Middle East units had to make do with older, often obsolete equipment before being given more modern aircraft. The 2421:

Close support and battlefield co-operation tactics with the British Army were further developed by November 1917, when low-flying fighter aircraft co-operated highly effectively with advancing columns of tanks and infantry during the

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and end the inter-service rivalries that at times had adversely affected aircraft procurement. On 1 April 1918, the RFC and the RNAS were amalgamated to form a new service, the Royal Air Force (RAF), under the control of the new

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For the first half of the war, as with the land armies deployed, the French air force vastly outnumbered the RFC, and accordingly did more of the fighting. Despite the primitive aircraft, aggressive leadership by RFC commander

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By November 1914 the Flying Corps had significantly expanded and it was felt necessary to create organizational units which would control collections of squadrons; the term "wing" was reused for these new organizational units.

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Squadrons AFC (which the RFC referred to as 67, 68, 69 and 71 Squadrons). Over 200 Americans joined the RFC before the United States became a combatant. Eventually Canadians made up nearly a third of RFC aircrew.

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in Britain at 908 acres (367 ha) with 30 acres (12 ha) of buildings including seven large hangars, seven motorised transport (MT) garages, five workshops, two coal yards, two Sergeants' Messes, three

2527:". In practice, this was reversed at an early stage in the RFC, so that the pilot normally commanded the aircraft. Most operational two seaters of the period did not have dual controls (an exception was the 2010:

Lieutenant Conran of No 3 Squadron attacked an enemy troop column by dropping hand grenades over the side of his cockpit; the noise of the grenades caused the horses to stampede. At No 6 Squadron, Captain

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in Ontario hosted instruction on flying, wireless, air gunnery and photography, training 1,812 RFC Canada pilots and 72 for the United States. Training also took place at several other Ontario locations.

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RFC's first casualties were before the Corps even arrived in France: Lt Robert R. Skene and Air Mechanic Ray Barlow were killed on 12 August 1914 when their (probably overloaded) plane crashed at

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in June 1917, Trenchard ordered the British crews to fly low over the lines and strafe all available targets. Techniques for Army and RFC co-operation quickly evolved and improved and during the

1824:, which had approached their aerodrome while they were refuelling their Avro 504. Another RFC machine landed nearby and the RFC observer chased the German pilot into nearby woods. After the 1997:

Mulcahy-Morgan escaped and returned to England). Later missions were more successful. In addition to delivering the spies the RFC was also responsible for keeping them supplied with the

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separated from the RFC that same year. By November 1914 the Royal Flying Corps, even taking the loss of the Naval Wing into account, had expanded sufficiently to warrant the creation of

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In the field, most brigades were assigned to the army. Initially a brigade consisted of an army wing and corps wing; beginning in November 1916 a balloon wing was added to control the

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was attempted during 1914, but again only became effective the next year. By 1918, photographic images could be taken from 15,000 feet and were interpreted by over 3,000 personnel.

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railway station. Strange approached from low level and hit a troop train causing 75 casualties. The same day Captain Carmichael of No 5 Squadron dropped a 100 lb bomb from a

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squadron (RFC No 1 Squadron) and four aeroplane squadrons. These were first used for aerial spotting on 13 September 1914 but only became efficient when they perfected the use of

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consisting of two or more squadrons. These wings were commanded by lieutenant-colonels. In October 1915 the Corps had undergone further expansion which justified the creation of

2352: 1591: 3035:– Commander Allied Air Forces Mediterranean, Marshal of the Royal Air Force and Deputy Supreme Commander Allied Forces in the Second World War, Chief of the Air Staff 1946–1950 2385:

As 1917 dawned, the Allied Air Forces felt the effect of the German Air Force's increasing superiority in both organisation and equipment (if not numbers). The recently formed

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The RFC officially took over the role of Home Defence in December 1915 and at that time had 10 permanent airfields. By December 1916 there were 11 RFC home defence squadrons:

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Hubert Williams (1895–2002), last surviving Royal Flying Corps pilot. In 1995 on his 100th birthday he was allowed to take over the controls of a Concorde flying to New York.

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left wheel against the exposed French flank. This information was significant as the First Army's manoeuvre allowed French forces to make an effective counter-attack at the

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assist any aircraft which had occasion to land. Accommodation for airmen and pilots was often in tents, especially on the Western Front. Officers would be billeted to local

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Armourer, Acetylene Welder, Blacksmith, Coppersmith, Tinsmith, Engine Fitter, Gear Mechanic, Aircraft Rigger, Electrician, Magneto-Repairer, Fitter, Machinist, Sailmaker

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Armourer, Acetylene Welder, Blacksmith, Coppersmith, Tinsmith, Engine Fitter, Gear Mechanic, Aircraft Rigger, Electrician, Magneto-Repairer, Fitter, Machinist, Sailmaker

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was not only responsible for training air and ground crews and preparing squadrons to deploy to France, but providing squadrons for home defence, countering the German

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RFC Squadrons were also deployed to the Middle East and the Balkans. In July 1916 the Middle-East Brigade of the RFC was formed under the command of Brigadier General

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that were used to send reports back to base. In 1916, a Special Duty Flight was formed as part of the Headquarters Wing to handle these and other unusual assignments.

377:, however, with priorities different from those of the Army and wishing to retain greater control over its aircraft, formally separated its branch and renamed it the 2686:

Eleven RFC members received the Victoria Cross during the First World War. Initially the RFC did not believe in publicising the victory totals and exploits of their

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aircraft deemed worn-out and often obsolete for front-line service, although the pilots selected as instructors were often among the most experienced in the RFC.

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Jordan, David (2000). "The Battle for the Skies: Sir Hugh Trenchard as Commander of the Royal Flying Corps". In Matthew Hughes and Matthew Seligmann (ed.).

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with vital and up-to-date intelligence on German positions and numbers through continual photographic and observational reconnaissance throughout the war.

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markings in various styles were often painted on the wings (and sometimes the fuselage sides and/or rudder). However, there was a danger of the large red

512: 4440: 2690:. Eventually, however, public interest and the newspapers' demand for heroes led to this policy being abandoned, with the feats of aces such as Captain 4549: 3182: 2698:). However, the British criteria for confirming air victories were much lower than those from Germany or France, and do not meet modern standards (see 2658:

Although as the war progressed and training became far safer, by the end of the war, some 8,000 had been killed while training or in flying accidents.

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at either Reading or Oxford. Following this period of theoretical learning the cadet was posted to a Training Squadron, either in the UK or overseas.

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fall of the shells and transmit the results by morse code by himself. Also, the wireless in the aircraft could not receive. Originally only a special

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fighter, inflicted very heavy losses on the RFC's obsolescent aircraft, culminating in Bloody April, the nadir of the RFC's fortunes in World War I.

2993:– Captain in the RFC, later Squadron Leader in an RAF Special Duties squadron where he was killed at Biggin Hill and posthumously awarded the first 2113:

The cost to the RFC was high, with a loss rate of ground attack aircraft approaching 30 per cent. The first British production armoured type, the

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Applicants for aircrew generally entered the RFC as a cadet via the depot pool for basic training. The cadet would then generally pass on to the

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Emergency (or Relief) Landing Ground – often just a field, activated by telephone call to the farmer, requesting he move any grazing animals out.

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Parachuting from balloons and aircraft, with very few accidents, had been a popular "stunt" for several years before the war. In 1915 inventor

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was established by the RFC in 1917 to train aircrew in Canada. Air Stations were established in southern Ontario at the following locations:

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as the aircraft, constructed from wood, wire and fabric, were liable to weather damage. Other airfield buildings were typically wooden or

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With the growing recognition of the potential for aircraft as a cost-effective method of reconnaissance and artillery observation, the

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to match the French, with the blue, white and red stripes – going from the forward (rudder hingeline) to aft (trailing edge) – of the

4163: 2570: 1767: 413:, were killed. An order was issued after the crash stating "Flying will continue this evening as usual", thus beginning a tradition. 4355: 1790:

the RFC accompanied them. On 19 August the Corps undertook its first action of the war, with two of its aircraft performing aerial

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In 1917, the American, British, and Canadian Governments agreed to join forces for training. Between April 1917 and January 1919,

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dropped. The RFC claimed some 7,054 German aircraft and balloons either destroyed, sent 'down out of control' or 'driven down'.

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Despite their relatively small numbers the RFC gave valuable assistance to the Army in the eventual defeat of Ottoman forces in

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transit camp before moving on to other locations, the base grew in importance as it increased its logistic support to the RFC.

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attached to No. 4 Squadron RFC had the wireless equipment. Eventually this flight was expanded into No. 9 Squadron under Major

362: 269: 165: 1399:". A typical Squadron may have been based at four Stations – an Aerodrome for the HQ, and three Landing Grounds, one per each 4282: 4057: 3899: 1921:, the RFC made use of wireless telegraphy to assist with artillery targeting and took aerial photographs for the first time. 1377: 1213: 2557:

In May 1916 pilots under instruction were further trained for fighting in the air. Schools of Special Flying were set up at

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specific training on how to instruct). After flying 10 to 20 hours dual instruction, the pupil would be ready to 'go solo'.

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ground forces, often from extremely low level, meantime also bringing back vital reports of the fluid ground fighting.

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of the RFC was formed in October 1917 to support General Allenby's ground offensive against the Ottomans in Palestine.

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companies. Logistics support was provided by an army aircraft park, aircraft ammunition column and reserve lorry park.

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forces were organised into home defence and training wings. By March 1918, wings controlled as many as nine squadrons.

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of halting the German advance was high however, with over 400 aircrew killed and 1000 aircraft lost to enemy action.

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By the summer of 1917, the introduction of the next generation of technically advanced combat aircraft (such as the

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raising morale in the service as well as on the "home front". More than 1000 airmen are considered as "aces" (see

4523: 3489: 3399: 3042: 3032: 2978:

VC – although his score is disputed, often acknowledged as the first or second highest scoring British Empire ace

2887: 2623:. Training was hazardous; 39 RFC officers and cadets died in Texas. Eleven remain there, reinterred in 1924 at a 1647:, North Texas, USA 1917–1918 (training) – sites now either residential development or commercial/industrial parks 2792:, 18 January 1918 – 4 January 1919 (General Officer Commanding the RAF in the Field from 1 April) 2026: 4460: 4367: 4133: 4114: 4097: 3672: 3632: 2510:

On 1 April 1918, the RFC and the RNAS were amalgamated to form the Royal Air Force, under the control of a new

1847: 1683: 1006: 3694: 1267:

officer' (of captain/lieutenant rank) would act as intelligence officer and adjutant, commanding two or three

4574: 4312: 4225: 3238: 3230: 1106: 1061: 343: 334: 2056:

In October 1917 No 41 Wing was formed to attack strategic targets in Germany. Consisting of No 55 Squadron (

4445: 2585: 2407: 2061: 1556: 1491: 1326: 1122: 1118: 1114: 1110: 1102: 1099: 795: 767: 739: 619: 353:

The Flying Corps' initial allowed strength was 133 officers, and by the end of that year it had 12 manned

4544: 3375: 3162: 3095: 1801:

Vincent Waterfall and observer Lt. Charles George Gordon Bayly, of 5 Squadron – flying an

1723: 1552: 1322: 305: 4518: 4473: 4450: 3178: 2593: 2171: 1867: 1797:

On 22 August 1914, the first British aircraft was lost to German fire. The crew – pilot

3594: 746: 4106:

The War in the Air: Being the Story of The part played in the Great War by The Royal Air Force: Vol I

3720: 3312: 3201: 3151: 2772: 2756: 2102: 1971:' – reporting rounds as being on target when they were not. The procedures were also time-consuming. 1918: 1840: 1502: 1043: 1033: 161: 4200:

https://web.archive.org/web/20070224071857/http://www.airforce.forces.ca/16wing/heritage/hist1_e.asp

1430: 788: 3742: 3067: 2762: 2581:, where finished pilots could simulate combat flying under the supervision of veteran instructors. 2423: 1836: 1268: 1127: 753: 4430: 4418: 4298: 4250: 4209: 4045: 3514: 3504: 3494: 3461: 3360: 3252: 3187: 2635: 2600:. Seven Training Squadrons were eventually established in Egypt at five Training Depot Stations. 2558: 2482: 1672: 1209: 378: 222: 1293:

When the Royal Flying Corps was established it was intended to be a joint service. Owing to the

1230:

Two of the first three RFC squadrons were formed from the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers:

781: 760: 365:, the Director of Military Training, and had separate branches for the Army and the Navy. Major 3141: 2951: 2930: 2671: 2399: 2392: 1600: 1400: 1074: 835: 573: 3456: 1766:

On 13 August 1914, 2, 3, and 4 squadrons, comprising 60 machines, departed from Dover for the

1130: 774: 3448: 3435: 3092: 2911: 2865: 2455: 2106: 2082: 1533:

Curtiss School of Aviation (flying-boat station with temporary wooden hangar on the beach at

1527: 1434:

General view of Waddington Aerodrome taken from the air, looking north-west. 11 February 1918

1188: 1174: 234: 3573: 2634:

including South Africa, Canada and Australia. As well as individual personnel, the separate

1770:

in France and 5 Squadron joined them a few days later. The aircraft took a route across the

1438:

Landing Grounds were categorised according to their lighting and day or night capabilities:

3318: 3006: 2923:, No. 2 Squadron – first RFC pilot to land in France at the outbreak of the First World War 2824: 1875: 1515: 1309:

The Military Wing was abolished and its units based in Great Britain were regrouped as the

1294: 1163: 313:. After starting in 1914 with some 2,073 personnel, by the start of 1919 the RAF had 4,000 1722:

The RFC was also responsible for the manning and operation of observation balloons on the

1208:

Finally, the air raids on London and the south-east of England led to the creation of the

8: 4007: 3425: 3324: 2981: 2942: 2891: 2651: 2647: 2643: 2639: 2438: 2415: 2378: 2357: 2313: 2298: 2283: 2268: 2253: 2238: 2223: 2208: 2193: 2178: 2163: 2095: 2065: 1833: 1816:

and two days after that, gained its first air victory. On 25 August, Lt C. W. Wilson and

1615: 1570: 1560: 1479:. Marham was 80 acres (32 ha). Both these Stations are now lost beneath the present 1384: 1287: 1200: 1064: 1030: 273: 4508: 4104: 3798: 3213:. He also set many records for flying solo between England and Australia and vice versa. 1900:. Later in the war, a "night roundel" was adopted for night flying aircraft (especially 238: 4468: 4455: 4382: 3578: 3226: 3216: 3132: 3126: 3104: 3010: 2920: 2915: 2874:, VC – first or second (see also Edward Mannock, below) highest scoring British Empire 2542: 2462: 2437:

The disastrous defeat of the Italian Army by Austro-Hungarian and German forces in the

2114: 1901: 1257: 1253: 1247: 1243: 1235: 825: 805: 496: 479: 420:

RN became the first aviator to be observed to recover from an accidental spin when the

410: 386: 285: 133: 4332: 4139: 4129: 4110: 4093: 4072: 4053: 4033: 4011: 3988: 3929: 3895: 3832: 3336: 3296: 3288:

series (1932–1999): a series of youth-oriented novels and short story collections by

3278: 3077: 2985: 2895: 2778: 2620: 2562: 1959:

September 1914. They developed both equipment and procedures in operational sorties.

1885: 1798: 1569:

Beamsville Camp (School of Aerial Fighting) 1917–1918 – located at 4222 Saan Road in

1534: 1521: 1449: 1408: 1373: 815: 673: 635: 472: 467: 314: 262: 3773: 3281:

pilots for its authentic descriptions of aerial warfare. Published by Jonathan Cape.

4360: 3421: 3412: 3307: 2667: 2451: 2261: 2201: 1775: 1138: 1083: 1069: 508: 258: 4214: 4189: 3810: 3646: 3332:, which primarily follows the exploits of a unit of the RFC and their enemy rivals 2017: 1981: 4423: 4244: 3889: 3380: 3341: 3274: 3220: 3086: 3081: 2957: 2817: 2805: 2765: 2616: 2615:

on three airfields in the United States accommodating about six thousand men, at

2335: 1904:

heavy bombers), which omitted the conspicuous white circle of the "day" marking.

1817: 1806: 1771: 1644: 1427:

when posted abroad, if suitable accommodation had not been built on the Station.

1380:'s approval and although some staff officers opposed it, the scheme was adopted. 1204: 1150: 890: 580: 557: 406: 402: 391: 366: 347: 226: 218: 193: 63: 4194: 1939:

time; apart from this the problem was communicating corrections to the battery.

1749: 1483:. Similarly, Stations at Easton-on-the-Hill and Stamford merged into modern day 926: 897: 4377: 4185:

https://web.archive.org/web/20050702075751/http://www.wwiaviation.com/toc.shtml

3971: 3388: 3099: 3048: 3016: 2975: 2969: 2963: 2881: 2859: 2797: 2707: 2631: 2216: 2050: 2025:

In March 1915 a bombing raid was flown, with Captain Strange flying a modified

1998: 1988:

By May 1916, 306 aircraft and 542 ground stations were equipped with wireless.

1897: 1880: 1813: 1791: 1731: 1638: 1608:, Egypt 1916–1918 (training – No. 22 TS & No. 23 TS, 20 (Training) Wing HQ) 1538: 1302:

Naval Air Service, having gained its independence from the Royal Flying Corps.

1263:

By the end of March 1918, the Royal Flying Corps comprised some 150 squadrons.

845: 693: 655: 563: 537: 484: 370: 325: 301: 128: 82: 3190:, Australian aviation pioneer, first to cross the Pacific Ocean in 1928 using 2834:

19 March 1916 – 14 October 1918 (RAF in the Field from 1 April)

2077: 4538: 3476: 3443: 3365: 3174: 3168: 3156: 3147: 3061: 3022: 2752: 2740: 2723: 2411: 2306: 2038: 2011: 1968: 1858: 1829: 1825: 1821: 1779: 1743: 1484: 1472: 1420: 1146: 1142: 1047: 996: 933: 904: 850: 810: 678: 455: 417: 339: 92: 4143: 1805:

over Belgium, were killed by infantry fire. Also on 22 August 1914, Captain

1714: 1541:

1915–1918; main school, airstrip and metal hangar facilities at Long Branch)

350:

became the Military Wing of the Royal Flying Corps a month later on 13 May.

4387: 4037: 3038: 2994: 2926: 2900: 2871: 2849: 2789: 2574: 2511: 2334:

As the war moved into the period of the mobile warfare commonly called the

2231: 2186: 2073: 2033:

on wing racks released by pulling a cable fitted in the cockpit. Attacking

2030: 1952: 1736: 1623: 1573:; hangar remains and property now used by Global Horticultural Incorporated 1395:

All operating locations were officially called "Royal Flying Corps Station

1337: 1318: 1314: 1298: 992: 830: 610: 532:, Recording Officer, Armament Officer, Equipment Officer, Wireless Officer 529: 491: 310: 281: 214: 110: 20: 4267: 2984:, 1st Lord Brabazon of Tara – later Minister of Aircraft Production under 2014:

managed to destroy two canvas-covered trucks with home-made petrol bombs.

1442:

First Class Landing Ground – Several buildings, hangars and accommodation.

229:. During the early part of the war, the RFC supported the British Army by 3392: 3384: 3369: 3300: 3289: 3116: 3003:– commander of No. 11 Group, Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain 2855: 2831: 2691: 2470: 2246: 1763:. Skene had been the first Englishman to perform a loop in an aeroplane. 1518:

1917–1918 (pilot training, School of Special Flying to train instructors)

1509: 1134: 1094: 1090: 1086: 1055: 1051: 627: 3219:, systematised the training of pilots and set up a formal curriculum of 381:

on 1 July 1914, although a combined central flying school was retained.

361:. The RFC originally came under the responsibility of Brigadier-General 338:

The recommendations of the committee were accepted and on 13 April 1912

3429: 3329: 3206: 3110: 3000: 2990: 2875: 2687: 2604: 2339: 2276: 2057: 1871: 1756: 1686: in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. 1480: 1476: 1412: 1313:. The RFC squadrons in France were grouped under the newly established 1179: 1155: 1025: 1021: 1017: 1013: 1009: 840: 623: 520: 398: 374: 1866:

Early in the war RFC aircraft were not systematically marked with any

1424: 911: 3417: 3205:. First to cross the Atlantic Ocean west to east. First to cross the 3197: 2597: 2524: 2499: 1893: 1545: 1458: 647: 643: 358: 297: 289: 230: 181: 2670:

offered the RFC his patented parachute. On 13 January 1917, Captain

2630:

As the war drew on the RFC increasingly drew on men from across the

1661: 268:

At the start of World War I the RFC, commanded by Brigadier-General

4570:

Military units and formations of the Royal Air Force in World War I

4179: 3698: 3669:

RAF Museum Web Site – Timeline of British Military Aviation History

3194: 2718: 2418:) ensured losses fell and damage inflicted on the enemy increased. 2034: 1802: 1787: 1596: 1038: 631: 615: 600: 590: 277: 246: 242: 3303:

chronicling the exploits of a fighter ace, Bartholomew Wolfe Bandy

1832:

where in September, the RFC again proved its value by identifying

1742:

This aggressive, if costly, doctrine did however provide the Army

1203:, with the Training Division being established in August 1917 and 390:("Through adversity to the stars"). This remains the motto of the 3285: 3233:

during the Second World War. Played key role in formation of the

3029:– first Indian ace, and the first Indian pilot to receive the DFC 2929:

VC, DSO – first British ace, killed in action by the "Red Baron"

2546: 1889: 1605: 1583: 1445:

Second Class Landing Ground – a permanent hangar, and a few huts.

1192: 1160: 820: 639: 503: 354: 254: 3891:

World War I: The Definitive Encyclopedia and Document Collection

2021:

An inert 20 lb Cooper bomb, like those used on the Courtrai raid

1862:

The regulation RFC roundel national insignia in use in late 1915

1614:, Egypt 1917–1918 (training – No. 57 TS & No. 195 TS) – now 342:

signed a royal warrant establishing the Royal Flying Corps. The

39: 4174: 3223:(the "Gosport System") that was subsequently taken up worldwide 3191: 2528: 2466: 2387: 2353:

Hugh Trenchard as commander of the Royal Flying Corps in France

1783: 918: 421: 250: 237:. This work gradually led RFC pilots into aerial battles with 3950:"Hubert…last of the Flying Corps heroes; WW1 Ace Dies at 106" 3255:(1900–2007), last surviving veteran of the Royal Flying Corps 3071: 2744:

Lt Gen Sir David Henderson, during the latter part of the War

2589: 2291: 2069: 2042: 1760: 1750:

1914–15: Initial actions with the British Expeditionary Force

1457:

Night Landing Grounds would be lit around the perimeter with

547: 525: 3171:, war artist noted for portraits of Battle of Britain pilots 3019:– Chief of Air Staff throughout most of the Second World War 2903:– Norwegian ace 1916–21; had been member of Scott's 1910–13 1599:, Egypt (training – No. 57 TS, 32 (Training) Wing HQ) – now 1555:) 1917–1918 – located at the Tyendinaga Indian Reserve (now 409:

and his observer, Staff Sergeant R.H.V. Wilson, flying from

4215:

RFC Wireless Operator's diary from 1916 Battle of the Somme

4210:

Silhouettes of Aeroplanes and Airships (RFC handbook, 1916)

2946: 2550:

student could learn to safely rectify errors of judgement.

2321: 1967:

there were many who were not and there was a tendency for '

1467: 59: 1332:

As the Flying Corps grew, so did the number of wings. The

3234: 2578: 1619: 1286:

Wings in the Royal Flying Corps consisted of a number of

542:

Pilot-in-Training, Pilot; Observer-in-Training, Observer

2611:

During winter 1917–18, RFC instructors trained with the

2584:

During 1917 experienced pilots were redeployed from the

2429:

1917 saw 2,094 RFC aircrew killed in action or missing.

3259: 2696:

List of World War I flying aces from the British Empire

1759:

on the way to rendezvous with the rest of the RFC near

300:

presented a report to the War Council on the future of

3926:

Sir Frederick Sykes and the air revolution, 1912–1918

3559: 3557: 3542: 1637:, Egypt 1917–1918 (training – No. 19 TDS) – later as 1461:

and might have a flarepath laid out in nearby fields.

4560:

Military units and formations disestablished in 1918

2768:, 22 November 1914 – 20 December 1914 2338:, the Corps moved forward again. The RFC arrived in 1336:

was established on 1 March 1915 and on 15 April the

397:

The RFC's first fatal crash was on 5 July 1912 near

4514:

Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops

3051:– commander of RFC and later Chief of the Air Staff 2748:The following had command of the RFC in the Field: 2627:cemetery where a monument honours their sacrifice. 1778:, then followed the French coast to the Bay of the 3727:. St. James's Place, London: Collins. p. 157. 3554: 3322:(1995): the second novel of the alternate-history 3183:United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic 3159:, Olympic medal winner, schoolmaster and scientist 3144:, Military cross winner 1918 and Harvard professor 2775:, 20 December 1914 – 19 August 1915 2588:to set up a new flying school and train pilots in 2382:bombs dropped and 19,000 Recce photographs taken. 2361:Trenchard in the uniform of the Royal Flying Corps 2117:, did not see service during the First World War. 1321:. The 1st Wing was assigned to the support of the 1002:Aircraft used during the war by the RFC included: 4565:Military units and formations established in 1912 4160:Origins of the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force 4044: 3887: 2759:, 5 August 1914 – 22 November 1914 2346: 4536: 4235:Military Wing (1912–18) and Naval Wing (1912–14) 3783: 2785:, 25 August 1915 – 3 January 1918 2098:to hit relatively slow moving enemy aeroplanes. 4190:http://www.spartacus-educational.com/FWWRFC.htm 3757: 3595:"A History of Aeronautics by E. Charles Vivian" 3530:British unmanned aerial vehicles of World War I 2808:5 August 1914 – 22 November 1914 2445: 2088: 1812:Next day, the RFC found itself fighting in the 265:of German industrial and transport facilities. 2049:of No 2 Squadron was posthumously awarded the 1256:was formed from No. 2 Sqn in August 1912, and 16:Former air warfare service of the British Army 4283: 4195:http://www.acepilots.com/wwi/br_mccudden.html 3865: 3863: 3592: 2820:20 December 1914 – 26 May 1915 2493: 1907: 1340:came into existence. By August that year the 317:and 114,000 personnel in some 150 squadrons. 3799:The British Air Services Memorial at St Omer 3665:"British Military Aviation in 1914 – Part 3" 3625:"British Military Aviation in 1917 – Part 2" 3245:George Morgan Trefgarne, 1st Baron Trefgarne 4297: 3277:, a First World War pilot. Sought after by 3264: 2713: 2517: 1199:. Further expansion led to the creation of 320: 4290: 4276: 4050:Marked for Death: The First War in the Air 3860: 3851: 3525:List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons 3520:List of aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps 3237:. The first non-US citizen to receive the 3041:– scientist and inventor, chairman of the 2838: 2827:26 May 1915 – 12 March 1916 2053:after bombing Courtrai station in a BE2c. 988:List of aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps 369:commanded the Military Wing and Commander 38: 4550:1912 establishments in the United Kingdom 3914:History of the RAF, Bowyer, 1977 (Hamlyn) 2907:; first to fly across the North Sea, 1914 1702:Learn how and when to remove this message 1487:although they are in different counties. 1448:Third Class Landing Ground – a temporary 634:, Engine Fitter, Gear Mechanic, Aircraft 394:(RAF) and other Commonwealth air forces. 296:On 17 August 1917, South African General 241:pilots and later in the war included the 3572: 2739: 2717: 2710:'s grave, though there are many others. 2356: 2016: 1933: 1857: 1713: 1586:, France 1914–1918 (headquarters) – now 1524:1917–1918 (Artillery Cooperation School) 1429: 1344:had been created and in November 1915 a 1242:(a 'heavier-than-air' company) becoming 1173: 991: 595:Armourer, Fitter, Rigger, Gear Mechanic 552:Pilot in Training; Observer in Training 437:RFC Ranks, Military Wing (13 April 1912) 324: 4126:The Royal Flying Corps in World War One 4102: 4066: 4001: 3856:. Berlin: Nabu Press (5 November 2011). 3548: 2966:VC – high scoring ace with 57 victories 2936:Jeejeebhoy Piroshaw Bomanjee Jeejeebhoy 2914:("Bomber" Harris) – later commander of 2843: 2700:Aerial victory standards of World War I 1924: 1169: 515:, Equipment Officer, Transport Officer 4555:Aviation history of the United Kingdom 4537: 4123: 3982: 3970: 3869:'First of the Few', Denis Winter, 1982 3055: 3009:– later chief intelligence officer of 1912: 1828:from Mons, the Corps fell back to the 1641:and now abandoned (after World War II) 1246:. A second heavier-than-air squadron, 4271: 3985:The Royal Flying Corps in World War I 3719: 2004: 1917:Later in September, 1914, during the 735: 4027: 3260:Fictional representations of the RFC 3087:Air Vice-Marshal Sir William Cushion 2862:– high scoring ace with 44 victories 2131:Zeppelin raids and later Gotha raids 1991: 1684:adding citations to reliable sources 1655: 1566:Hamilton (Armament School) 1917–1918 1282:List of Wings of the Royal Air Force 1226:List of Royal Flying Corps squadrons 1212:in August 1917 under the command of 329:Royal Flying Corps Sweetheart Brooch 272:, consisted of five squadrons – one 4085: 3976:Flying Corps Headquarters 1914–1918 3854:Meine Kriegserinnerungen, 1914–1918 3299:(1962–2005): a series of novels by 3080:, later Archaeology Officer of the 2736:List of Royal Flying Corps generals 1367:List of Royal Flying Corps brigades 1250:, was also formed on the same day. 1216:who was promoted to major-general. 428: 13: 4489:Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service 4484:Imperial Japanese Army Air Service 3831:. Leo Cooper Ltd. pp. 74–80. 3778:Commonwealth War Graves Commission 3774:Casualty Details:Vincent Waterfall 3459:" (2011) : an episode of the 2722:Maj Gen H M Trenchard in 1917, by 2625:Commonwealth War Graves Commission 1651: 1577: 1325:whilst the 2nd Wing supported the 14: 4586: 4151: 4128:. London: Arms and Armour Press. 2677: 2613:Aviation Section, US Signal Corps 4524:Bulgarian Army Aeroplane Section 4071:(2nd ed.). London: Putnam. 3829:Leadership in Conflict 1914–1918 3500:Royal Canadian Naval Air Service 2047:William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse 1786:. When the BEF moved forward to 1660: 932: 925: 917: 910: 903: 896: 889: 877: 794: 787: 780: 773: 766: 759: 752: 745: 738: 724: 192: 180: 138:"Through Adversity to the Stars" 103: 75: 4166:Royal Engineers and Aeronautics 3942: 3917: 3908: 3881: 3872: 3845: 3820: 3803: 3792: 3766: 3731: 3713: 3107:, mining engineer and executive 3043:Aeronautical Research Committee 2954:– later head of Fighter Command 2120: 1671:needs additional citations for 1631:, Egypt (training – No. 17 TDS) 416:In August 1912, RFC Lieutenant 4461:United States Army Air Service 4436:Canadian Air Force (1918–1920) 4328:Aircraft of the Central Powers 4323:Aircraft of the Entente Powers 3687: 3657: 3639: 3617: 3605: 3586: 3566: 3395:(a remake of a 1930 original). 3353: 2536:School of Military Aeronautics 2347:Trenchard in command in France 2064:) and No 16 (Naval) Squadron ( 1982:"Henry Tabor's 1916 War Diary" 1878:being mistaken for the German 1182:monoplanes at Netheravon, 1914 1103:B.E.2a, B.E.2b, B.E.2c, B.E.2e 373:commanded the Naval Wing. The 1: 3964: 3612:Air Ministry Weekly Order 109 3239:Presidential Medal of Freedom 3231:British Security Coordination 2729: 2661: 2329: 2062:Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b 2027:Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c 1592:British Air Services Memorial 1260:from No. 3 Sqn in July 1913. 1234:(a balloon company) becoming 335:Committee of Imperial Defence 4446:Imperial Russian Air Service 4205:Bermudian Great War Aviators 3815:Henry Tabor's 1916 War Diary 3811:Henry Tabor's 1916 War Diary 3780:. Retrieved 10 January 2010. 3671:. RAF Museum. Archived from 3582:. 17 May 1912. p. 3583. 3515:South African Aviation Corps 3446:" (1989): an episode of the 3311:(1971) and its prequels, by 2586:Sinai and Palestine campaign 2446:Other theatres of operations 2372: 2089:Ground attack – army support 1492:Royal Flying Corps airfields 1219: 225:on 1 April 1918 to form the 7: 4509:Imperial German Air Service 4109:. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 4002:Beckett, Ian F. W. (2014). 3826: 3483: 3416:(1976): a film directed by 3379:(1938): a film directed by 3364:(1930): a film directed by 3349:(2010), by Robert Radcliffe 3340:(2004): a fantasy novel by 3188:Sir Charles Kingsford Smith 2498:On 17 August 1917, General 2142: 2041:on the railway junction at 2029:, to carry four 20 lb 1853: 1768:British Expeditionary Force 1588:Saint-Omer-Wizernes Airport 1557:Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory 1553:Tyendinaga (Mohawk) Airport 1390: 1372:hold the temporary rank of 1360: 981: 432: 235:photographic reconnaissance 19:For the computer game, see 10: 4591: 4519:Ottoman Aviation Squadrons 4086:Lee, Arthur Gould (1968). 3888:Spencer C. Tucker (2014). 3852:Ludendorff, Erich (1919). 3439:(1977–78): a BBC TV series 3347:Across the Blood-Red Skies 3179:Governor of American Samoa 2800:for the RFC in the Field: 2733: 2494:Amalgamation with the RNAS 2350: 2076:. Its first attack was on 1908:Roles and responsibilities 1782:and followed the river to 1563:1917–1918 (pilot training) 1548:1917–1918 (pilot training) 1489: 1364: 1279: 1223: 985: 962: 916: 863: 849: 800: 710: 50:13 April 1912–1 April 1918 18: 4499: 4401: 4341: 4305: 4258: 4249:On amalgamation with the 4241: 4230: 4222: 4180:The Museum of Army Flying 3928:. Routledge. p. 62. 3894:. ABC-CLIO. p. 696. 3817:. Retrieved 20 June 2010. 3152:British Union of Fascists 2045:. Days later, Lieutenant 1919:First Battle of the Aisne 1503:Royal Flying Corps Canada 1496: 974: 971: 968: 965: 959: 956: 951: 946: 938: 931: 924: 909: 902: 895: 888: 874: 869: 866: 844: 839: 834: 829: 824: 819: 814: 809: 804: 793: 786: 779: 772: 765: 758: 751: 744: 737: 721: 716: 713: 435: 221:until it merged with the 213:) was the air arm of the 188: 176: 171: 155: 150: 142: 124: 116: 98: 88: 70: 54: 46: 37: 32: 4103:Raleigh, Walter (1922). 4069:Avro Aircraft since 1908 4046:Hamilton-Paterson, James 4030:Canada's Fighting Airmen 4028:Drew, George A. (1930). 4004:The Great War: 1914-1918 3923: 3535: 3469: 3402:" (1960): an episode of 3265:Novels and short stories 2796:The following served as 2714:Commanders and personnel 2518:Recruitment and training 2432: 2072:commanded by Lt Colonel 2068:) the wing was based at 1275: 1128:Sopwith Aviation Company 953:Warrant Officer Class II 711:General / flag officers 321:Origin and early history 4451:Royal Italian Air Corps 4431:Australian Flying Corps 4419:Royal Naval Air Service 4299:Aviation in World War I 3725:Trenchard Man of Vision 3614:(1921, reprint of 1923) 3505:Australian Flying Corps 3495:Canadian Aviation Corps 2997:of the Second World War 2839:Some members of the RFC 2781:, later Major General, 2636:Australian Flying Corps 2476: 1870:. At a squadron level, 1210:London Air Defence Area 975:Air Mechanic 3rd Class 972:Air Mechanic 2nd Class 969:Air Mechanic 1st Class 957:Quartermaster sergeant 948:Warrant Officer Class I 379:Royal Naval Air Service 223:Royal Naval Air Service 4480:Japanese air services 4164:Royal Engineers Museum 4158:Royal Engineers Museum 4067:Jackson, A.J. (1990). 3983:Barker, Ralph (2002). 3878:Cutlack 1941 pp. 69–70 3629:Royal Air Force Museum 3563:Lee (1968) pp. 219–225 3142:Francis Peabody Magoun 2952:Trafford Leigh-Mallory 2931:Manfred von Richthofen 2745: 2726: 2362: 2127:RFC Home Establishment 2022: 1863: 1818:Lt C. E. C. Rabagliati 1719: 1601:Al Ismailiyah Air Base 1435: 1376:. The scheme met with 1195:, each commanded by a 1183: 1100:Royal Aircraft Factory 1075:Morane-Saulnier Bullet 999: 685:Air Mechanic 3rd Class 665:Air Mechanic 2nd Class 611:Air Mechanic 1st Class 574:Quartermaster Sergeant 330: 278:wireless communication 217:before and during the 132: 4410:British air services 4373:Aerial reconnaissance 3763:Raleigh 1922, p. 286. 3723:(1962). "Chapter 6". 3093:Charles Galton Darwin 2890:– later commander of 2866:William George Barker 2743: 2721: 2360: 2107:Third Battle of Ypres 2083:Independent Air Force 2020: 1934:Artillery observation 1861: 1820:forced down a German 1717: 1528:Long Branch Aerodrome 1490:Further information: 1433: 1177: 1050:single-seat fighter, 995: 328: 120:3,300 aircraft (1918) 4575:Disbanded air forces 4261:Early naval aviation 4124:Rimell, Ray (1985). 4008:Taylor & Francis 3978:. William Heinemann. 3789:Jackson 1990, p. 56. 3745:on 22 September 2021 3319:The Bloody Red Baron 3007:Noel Stephen Paynter 2938:– first Indian pilot 2905:Antarctic Expedition 2844:Militarily prominent 2825:Robert Brooke-Popham 2391:, equipped with the 1925:Photo-reconnaissance 1680:improve this article 1516:Armour Heights Field 1170:Structure and growth 384:The RFC's motto was 4465:Greek air services 4306:People and aircraft 4092:Reprinted in 1971. 3739:"Saundby Aerodrome" 3647:"CO 62 Sqn RFC/RAF" 3593:Full Text Archive. 3510:Union Defence Force 3426:Christopher Plummer 3325:Anno Dracula series 3056:Otherwise prominent 2982:John Moore-Brabazon 2943:George Owen Johnson 2892:RAF Fighter Command 2823:Lieutenant-Colonel 2638:(AFC) deployed Nos 2439:Battle of Caporetto 2379:Battle of the Somme 2096:deflection shooting 1913:Wireless telegraphy 1841:Battle of the Marne 1616:Abu Suwayr Air Base 1571:Beamsville, Ontario 1385:observation balloon 1311:Administrative Wing 1258:No. 5 Squadron, RFC 1254:No. 4 Squadron, RFC 1248:No. 2 Squadron, RFC 1244:No. 3 Squadron, RFC 1236:No. 1 Squadron, RFC 1058:Fighter two-seaters 1031:Armstrong-Whitworth 642:-Repairer, Fitter, 636:Rigger, Electrician 570:Warrant Officer II 274:observation balloon 270:Sir David Henderson 162:Sir David Henderson 4545:Royal Flying Corps 4456:Romanian Air Corps 4441:French Air Service 4414:Royal Flying Corps 4383:Flight over Vienna 4232:Royal Flying Corps 4023:- Total pages: 856 3954:thefreelibrary.com 3924:Ash, Eric (1998). 3695:"Wings 51 – 110_P" 3579:The London Gazette 3227:William Stephenson 3217:Robert Smith-Barry 3137:Sagittarius Rising 3127:John Lennard-Jones 3105:Karl Brooks Heisey 3011:RAF Bomber Command 2972:– high scoring ace 2960:– high scoring ace 2921:H. D. Harvey-Kelly 2916:RAF Bomber Command 2884:– high scoring ace 2868:– high scoring ace 2852:– high scoring ace 2830:Brigadier General 2771:Major General Sir 2746: 2727: 2543:Robert Smith-Barry 2363: 2115:Sopwith Salamander 2103:Battle of Messines 2066:Handley Page 0/100 2023: 2005:Aerial bombardment 1902:Handley Page O/400 1864: 1720: 1436: 1423:, or commandeered 1409:Bessonneau hangars 1184: 1000: 886:(1912–April 1918) 883:Royal Flying Corps 826:Lieutenant Colonel 806:Lieutenant-General 733:(1912–April 1918) 730:Royal Flying Corps 497:Squadron Commander 480:Lieutenant-Colonel 461:Division Commander 411:Larkhill Aerodrome 407:Eustace B. Loraine 387:Per ardua ad astra 331: 286:Aerial photography 259:military airfields 207:Royal Flying Corps 134:Per Ardua ad Astra 33:Royal Flying Corps 4532: 4531: 4474:Naval Air Service 4368:Bombing of cities 4351:Strategic bombing 4266: 4265: 4253: 4242:Succeeded by 4236: 4059:978-1-78497-039-0 4024: 3901:978-1-85109-965-8 3599:Full Text Archive 3405:The Twilight Zone 3337:Phoenix and Ashes 3279:Battle of Britain 3150:, founder of the 3078:O. G. S. Crawford 3074:supermarket chain 3070:, founder of the 3064:, ballroom dancer 2986:Winston Churchill 2896:Battle of Britain 2779:Brigadier General 2621:Fort Worth, Texas 2456:Palestine Brigade 2424:Battle of Cambrai 2327: 2326: 2314:78 (Home Defence) 2299:77 (Home Defence) 2284:76 (Home Defence) 2269:75 (Home Defence) 2254:51 (Home Defence) 2239:50 (Home Defence) 2224:43 (Home Defence) 2209:39 (Home Defence) 2194:37 (Home Defence) 2179:36 (Home Defence) 2164:33 (Home Defence) 1992:Covert operations 1876:St George's Cross 1868:national insignia 1799:Second Lieutenant 1718:Recruiting poster 1712: 1711: 1704: 1551:Camp Mohawk (now 1522:Leaside Aerodrome 1450:Bessonneau hangar 1374:brigadier-general 1197:brigadier-general 979: 978: 856: 855: 816:Brigadier-General 703: 702: 674:Private 1st Class 513:Recording Officer 473:Brigade Commander 468:Brigadier-General 263:strategic bombing 233:co-operation and 200: 199: 4582: 4469:Army Air Service 4292: 4285: 4278: 4269: 4268: 4259:Preceded by 4248: 4234: 4223:Preceded by 4220: 4219: 4147: 4120: 4091: 4082: 4063: 4052:. Head of Zeus. 4041: 4022: 4021: 3998: 3979: 3958: 3957: 3946: 3940: 3939: 3921: 3915: 3912: 3906: 3905: 3885: 3879: 3876: 3870: 3867: 3858: 3857: 3849: 3843: 3842: 3824: 3818: 3807: 3801: 3796: 3790: 3787: 3781: 3770: 3764: 3761: 3755: 3754: 3752: 3750: 3741:. Archived from 3735: 3729: 3728: 3717: 3711: 3710: 3708: 3706: 3697:. Archived from 3691: 3685: 3684: 3682: 3680: 3661: 3655: 3654: 3643: 3637: 3636: 3631:. Archived from 3621: 3615: 3609: 3603: 3602: 3590: 3584: 3583: 3570: 3564: 3561: 3552: 3546: 3457:The Double Deuce 3422:Malcolm McDowell 3308:Goshawk Squadron 3292:, an RFC veteran 3119:, author of the 2910:Air Marshal Sir 2668:Everard Calthrop 2483:German Offensive 2202:Woodham Mortimer 2143: 1985: 1898:French tricolour 1707: 1700: 1696: 1693: 1687: 1664: 1656: 1070:Martinsyde G.100 960:Flight sergeant 936: 929: 921: 914: 907: 900: 893: 882: 881: 880: 858: 857: 798: 791: 784: 777: 770: 763: 756: 749: 742: 729: 728: 727: 717:Junior officers 714:Senior officers 705: 704: 620:Acetylene Welder 509:Flight Commander 433: 429:Ranks in the RFC 196: 184: 109: 107: 106: 81: 79: 78: 42: 30: 29: 4590: 4589: 4585: 4584: 4583: 4581: 4580: 4579: 4535: 4534: 4533: 4528: 4501: 4495: 4424:Royal Air Force 4403: 4397: 4343: 4337: 4301: 4296: 4262: 4254: 4247: 4245:Royal Air Force 4238: 4233: 4228: 4154: 4136: 4117: 4079: 4060: 4018: 3995: 3972:Baring, Maurice 3967: 3962: 3961: 3948: 3947: 3943: 3936: 3922: 3918: 3913: 3909: 3902: 3886: 3882: 3877: 3873: 3868: 3861: 3850: 3846: 3839: 3825: 3821: 3808: 3804: 3797: 3793: 3788: 3784: 3771: 3767: 3762: 3758: 3748: 3746: 3737: 3736: 3732: 3718: 3714: 3704: 3702: 3693: 3692: 3688: 3678: 3676: 3663: 3662: 3658: 3645: 3644: 3640: 3623: 3622: 3618: 3610: 3606: 3591: 3587: 3571: 3567: 3562: 3555: 3547: 3543: 3538: 3486: 3472: 3400:The Last Flight 3381:Edmund Goulding 3376:The Dawn Patrol 3356: 3342:Mercedes Lackey 3275:Victor M Yeates 3267: 3262: 3221:flying training 3209:also using the 3082:Ordnance Survey 3058: 2958:Donald MacLaren 2846: 2841: 2818:Frederick Sykes 2806:Frederick Sykes 2773:David Henderson 2757:David Henderson 2738: 2732: 2716: 2680: 2664: 2617:Camp Taliaferro 2520: 2496: 2479: 2448: 2435: 2416:Bristol Fighter 2400:Battle of Arras 2398:To support the 2375: 2355: 2349: 2336:Race to the Sea 2332: 2123: 2091: 2007: 1999:carrier pigeons 1994: 1980: 1949:Wireless Flight 1936: 1927: 1915: 1910: 1856: 1772:English Channel 1752: 1708: 1697: 1691: 1688: 1677: 1665: 1654: 1652:First World War 1645:Camp Taliaferro 1618:, also used by 1580: 1578:Other locations 1499: 1494: 1393: 1369: 1363: 1284: 1278: 1228: 1222: 1205:RFC Middle East 1172: 1077:Biplane Parasol 990: 984: 942: 922: 885: 878: 876: 732: 725: 723: 605:Fitter, Rigger 585:Chief Mechanic 581:Flight Sergeant 558:Warrant Officer 431: 403:Salisbury Plain 392:Royal Air Force 348:Royal Engineers 323: 315:combat aircraft 284:on 9 May 1915. 227:Royal Air Force 219:First World War 203: 164: 157: 146:First World War 137: 104: 102: 76: 74: 64:Royal Air Force 26: 17: 12: 11: 5: 4588: 4578: 4577: 4572: 4567: 4562: 4557: 4552: 4547: 4530: 4529: 4527: 4526: 4521: 4516: 4511: 4505: 4503: 4500:Central Powers 4497: 4496: 4494: 4493: 4492: 4491: 4486: 4478: 4477: 4476: 4471: 4463: 4458: 4453: 4448: 4443: 4438: 4433: 4428: 4427: 4426: 4421: 4416: 4407: 4405: 4402:Entente Powers 4399: 4398: 4396: 4395: 4390: 4385: 4380: 4378:Fokker Scourge 4375: 4370: 4365: 4364: 4363: 4358: 4347: 4345: 4339: 4338: 4336: 4335: 4330: 4325: 4320: 4315: 4309: 4307: 4303: 4302: 4295: 4294: 4287: 4280: 4272: 4264: 4263: 4260: 4256: 4255: 4243: 4240: 4229: 4224: 4218: 4217: 4212: 4207: 4202: 4197: 4192: 4187: 4182: 4177: 4172: 4170:Army Air Corps 4167: 4161: 4153: 4152:External links 4150: 4149: 4148: 4134: 4121: 4115: 4100: 4083: 4077: 4064: 4058: 4042: 4025: 4016: 3999: 3993: 3980: 3966: 3963: 3960: 3959: 3941: 3934: 3916: 3907: 3900: 3880: 3871: 3859: 3844: 3837: 3819: 3802: 3791: 3782: 3765: 3756: 3730: 3712: 3701:on 7 July 2010 3686: 3656: 3651:airwar1.org.uk 3638: 3635:on 5 May 2012. 3616: 3604: 3585: 3565: 3553: 3551:, p. 256. 3540: 3539: 3537: 3534: 3533: 3532: 3527: 3522: 3517: 3512: 3507: 3502: 3497: 3492: 3490:Army Air Corps 3485: 3482: 3481: 3480: 3471: 3468: 3467: 3466: 3453: 3440: 3432: 3409: 3396: 3389:Basil Rathbone 3372: 3355: 3352: 3351: 3350: 3344: 3333: 3315: 3313:Derek Robinson 3304: 3293: 3282: 3271:Winged Victory 3266: 3263: 3261: 3258: 3257: 3256: 3250: 3247: 3242: 3224: 3214: 3211:Southern Cross 3202:Southern Cross 3185: 3172: 3166: 3160: 3154: 3145: 3139: 3130: 3124: 3114: 3108: 3102: 3100:Charles Darwin 3098:, grandson of 3090: 3089:, RAF and BOAC 3084: 3075: 3068:Sir Jack Cohen 3065: 3057: 3054: 3053: 3052: 3049:Hugh Trenchard 3046: 3036: 3030: 3020: 3017:Charles Portal 3013: 3004: 2998: 2988: 2979: 2976:Edward Mannock 2973: 2970:George McElroy 2967: 2964:James McCudden 2961: 2955: 2949: 2939: 2933: 2924: 2918: 2908: 2898: 2885: 2882:Donald Cunnell 2879: 2878:of World War I 2869: 2863: 2853: 2845: 2842: 2840: 2837: 2836: 2835: 2828: 2821: 2814: 2809: 2798:chief of staff 2794: 2793: 2788:Major General 2786: 2776: 2769: 2760: 2731: 2728: 2715: 2712: 2708:James McCudden 2679: 2678:End of the war 2676: 2663: 2660: 2632:British Empire 2519: 2516: 2495: 2492: 2478: 2475: 2447: 2444: 2434: 2431: 2374: 2371: 2366:Hugh Trenchard 2351:Main article: 2348: 2345: 2331: 2328: 2325: 2324: 2319: 2316: 2310: 2309: 2304: 2301: 2295: 2294: 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83:United Kingdom 72: 68: 67: 56: 52: 51: 48: 44: 43: 35: 34: 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 4587: 4576: 4573: 4571: 4568: 4566: 4563: 4561: 4558: 4556: 4553: 4551: 4548: 4546: 4543: 4542: 4540: 4525: 4522: 4520: 4517: 4515: 4512: 4510: 4507: 4506: 4504: 4498: 4490: 4487: 4485: 4482: 4481: 4479: 4475: 4472: 4470: 4467: 4466: 4464: 4462: 4459: 4457: 4454: 4452: 4449: 4447: 4444: 4442: 4439: 4437: 4434: 4432: 4429: 4425: 4422: 4420: 4417: 4415: 4412: 4411: 4409: 4408: 4406: 4400: 4394: 4391: 4389: 4386: 4384: 4381: 4379: 4376: 4374: 4371: 4369: 4366: 4362: 4359: 4357: 4354: 4353: 4352: 4349: 4348: 4346: 4340: 4334: 4331: 4329: 4326: 4324: 4321: 4319: 4316: 4314: 4311: 4310: 4308: 4304: 4300: 4293: 4288: 4286: 4281: 4279: 4274: 4273: 4270: 4257: 4252: 4246: 4237: 4227: 4226:Air Battalion 4221: 4216: 4213: 4211: 4208: 4206: 4203: 4201: 4198: 4196: 4193: 4191: 4188: 4186: 4183: 4181: 4178: 4176: 4173: 4171: 4168: 4165: 4162: 4159: 4156: 4155: 4145: 4141: 4137: 4131: 4127: 4122: 4118: 4112: 4108: 4107: 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3407: 3406: 3401: 3397: 3394: 3390: 3386: 3382: 3378: 3377: 3373: 3371: 3367: 3366:Howard Hughes 3363: 3362: 3361:Hell's Angels 3358: 3357: 3348: 3345: 3343: 3339: 3338: 3334: 3331: 3327: 3326: 3321: 3320: 3316: 3314: 3310: 3309: 3305: 3302: 3298: 3294: 3291: 3287: 3283: 3280: 3276: 3272: 3269: 3268: 3254: 3253:William Young 3251: 3248: 3246: 3243: 3240: 3236: 3232: 3228: 3225: 3222: 3218: 3215: 3212: 3208: 3204: 3203: 3199: 3196: 3193: 3189: 3186: 3184: 3180: 3176: 3175:Phelps Phelps 3173: 3170: 3169:Cuthbert Orde 3167: 3164: 3161: 3158: 3157:Malcolm Nokes 3155: 3153: 3149: 3148:Oswald Mosley 3146: 3143: 3140: 3138: 3134: 3131: 3128: 3125: 3122: 3118: 3115: 3112: 3109: 3106: 3103: 3101: 3097: 3094: 3091: 3088: 3085: 3083: 3079: 3076: 3073: 3069: 3066: 3063: 3062:Vernon Castle 3060: 3059: 3050: 3047: 3044: 3040: 3037: 3034: 3033:Arthur Tedder 3031: 3028: 3024: 3023:Indra Lal Roy 3021: 3018: 3014: 3012: 3008: 3005: 3002: 2999: 2996: 2992: 2989: 2987: 2983: 2980: 2977: 2974: 2971: 2968: 2965: 2962: 2959: 2956: 2953: 2950: 2948: 2944: 2940: 2937: 2934: 2932: 2928: 2925: 2922: 2919: 2917: 2913: 2912:Arthur Harris 2909: 2906: 2902: 2899: 2897: 2893: 2889: 2886: 2883: 2880: 2877: 2873: 2870: 2867: 2864: 2861: 2857: 2854: 2851: 2848: 2847: 2833: 2829: 2826: 2822: 2819: 2815: 2813: 2810: 2807: 2803: 2802: 2801: 2799: 2791: 2787: 2784: 2783:H M Trenchard 2780: 2777: 2774: 2770: 2767: 2764: 2761: 2758: 2754: 2753:Major General 2751: 2750: 2749: 2742: 2737: 2725: 2724:William Orpen 2720: 2711: 2709: 2703: 2701: 2697: 2693: 2689: 2684: 2675: 2673: 2672:Clive Collett 2669: 2659: 2656: 2653: 2649: 2645: 2641: 2637: 2633: 2628: 2626: 2622: 2618: 2614: 2609: 2606: 2601: 2599: 2595: 2591: 2587: 2582: 2580: 2576: 2572: 2568: 2564: 2560: 2555: 2551: 2548: 2544: 2539: 2537: 2532: 2530: 2526: 2515: 2513: 2508: 2505: 2501: 2491: 2487: 2484: 2474: 2472: 2468: 2464: 2459: 2457: 2453: 2452:W G H Salmond 2443: 2440: 2430: 2427: 2425: 2419: 2417: 2413: 2412:Sopwith Camel 2409: 2404: 2401: 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Retreat 1823: 1819: 1815: 1810: 1808: 1804: 1800: 1795: 1793: 1789: 1785: 1781: 1777: 1773: 1769: 1764: 1762: 1758: 1747: 1745: 1744:General Staff 1740: 1738: 1733: 1727: 1725: 1724:Western front 1716: 1706: 1703: 1695: 1685: 1681: 1675: 1674: 1669:This section 1667: 1663: 1658: 1657: 1646: 1643: 1640: 1636: 1633: 1630: 1627: 1625: 1621: 1617: 1613: 1610: 1607: 1604: 1602: 1598: 1595: 1593: 1589: 1585: 1582: 1581: 1572: 1568: 1565: 1562: 1558: 1554: 1550: 1547: 1543: 1540: 1536: 1532: 1529: 1526: 1523: 1520: 1517: 1514: 1511: 1508: 1507: 1506: 1504: 1493: 1488: 1486: 1485:RAF Wittering 1482: 1478: 1474: 1469: 1460: 1456: 1453: 1451: 1447: 1444: 1441: 1440: 1439: 1432: 1428: 1426: 1422: 1416: 1414: 1410: 1404: 1402: 1398: 1388: 1386: 1381: 1379: 1375: 1368: 1358: 1354: 1351: 1347: 1343: 1339: 1335: 1330: 1328: 1324: 1320: 1316: 1312: 1307: 1303: 1300: 1296: 1291: 1289: 1283: 1273: 1270: 1264: 1261: 1259: 1255: 1251: 1249: 1245: 1241: 1240:No. 2 Company 1237: 1233: 1232:No. 1 Company 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