Day 3: 3rd September 1939

Day 3: 3^rd September 1939

(TU=Time Unknown; UU=Unit Unknown)

• 0820hrs, a Me109e of II./JG51 based at Eutengen shoots down a PZL.43Los (UU) (Has to be either from Ulez, 211/212 Eskadra Bombowa or Podlodow, 216/217 Eskadra Bombowa.(This is an interesting first, because up until today the Polish bombers had not received any orders.)
• 1100hrs United Kingdom Declares War on Germany
• 1200hrs, Andrew McPherson, pilot; Cdr. Thompson RN, observer; Cpl. Arrowsmith, gunner; of 139-Sqn.RAF fly the first RAF operational sortie of the war. Flying a Blenheim IV from RAF Wyton on a photo-recce of the Shillig Roads at Wilhelmshaven Naval Port, he is unable to report until landing, as his radio froze up.
• 1620hrs a PZL.23 is shot down over Klomnice by a Me109e of StaB I./JG76 from Stubendorf.
• 1625hrs, a PZL.23 is shot down N.E.of Gornik by a Me109e of III/JG76 from Stubendorf.
• 1700hrs France declares war on Germany
• 1740hrs, off Rockall, SS Athenia is torpedoed by U-30, and remains afloat but dead in the water.
• 1745hrs Ltn.Karlfried Nordmann of II.JG51 based in Eutengen, shot down a PZL.43Los (UU)
• 2220hrs, Whitley III bombers of 51-Sqn.RAF flying from RAF Linton-on-Ouse, drop propaganda leaflets over Hamburg (these propaganda drops are code named 'Nickel' raids)
• 2220hrs, Whitley III bombers of 58-Sqn.RAF flying from RAF Worthy Down, drop propaganda leaflets over Hamburg. ('Nickel' raid)
• TU, German Paratroops drop behind Polish lines in Silisia, the first ever use of Airborne Troops during wartime.
• TU, I./JG3 move from Brandis to Shaftstadt
• TU, ORP General Haller tied up in the Navy docks at Hel is again damaged by Ju87b bombers.(UU)
• TU, a P-11c of 111Eskadra, Pursuit Brigade, based at Zielonki, shot down a Me110c (UU) over Warsaw
• TU, a P-11c of 111Eskadra, Pursuit Brigade, based at Zielonki, shot down a Me110c (UU) over Warsaw
• TU, a P-11c of 111Eskadra, Pursuit Brigade, based at Zielonki, shot down a Me110c (UU) over Warsaw
• TU, two P-11c from 121 Eskadra share in the shooting down of a He111 (UU)
• TU, a P-11c from 121 Eskadra shoots down a He111 (UU)
• TU, a P-11c From 131 Eskadra shoots down a He111 (UU)
• TU, a P-11 from 131 Eskadra shoots down a Do17 (UU)
• TU, a P-11 from 131 Eskadra shoots down a He111 (UU)
• TU, Ju87b (UU) bomb the Polish Naval base at Hel, sinking ORP Glyf, ORP Wicher, ORP Gull and ORP General Haller.
• TU, Panzer Grenadiers of IV Panzer Div are reported to have severely tortured a downed Polish aircrew member before executing him.
• TU Australia declares War on Germany.
• TU New Zealand declares War on Germany  
• TU Belgium declares itself neutral.

ORP General Haller.

Sept 1939 Britain had the following Aircraft Carriers.

• Fleet Carriers.
• Eagle (1918); 61 aircraft (Fairey Swordfish); 24knots; 1100 crew.
• Glorious (1924); 48 aircraft (812 Naval Air Sqn. -36 x Swordfish; 12 x Sea Gladiators) ; Top Speed=29knots; 1216 crew.
• Courageous (1924); 48 aircraft; Top Speed=29knots; 1216 crew.
• Ark Royal (1937); 60 aircraft; Top Speed=31knots; 1580 crew.
• Light Carriers.
• Furious (1922); 36 aircraft; Top Speed=30knots; 1218 crew.
• Hermes (1919); 15 aircraft; Top Speed=25knots; 1100 crew.

The Order of Battle for the RAF in September 1939 was as follows:-

RAF Disposition on 3^rd September 1939

Bomber Command = 55 Squadrons

Fighter Command = 39 Squadrons

Coastal Command = 21 Squadrons

Army Co-op Units =  9 Squadrons

Middle East Command = 26 Squadrons

Far East Command = 15 Squadrons

Bomber Command

Sqn    Aircraft                  Grp    Wing            Airfield

71      Blenheim MkIV        2        79                Watton, Norfolk, UK 

82      Blenheim MkIV        2        79                Watton, Norfolk, UK 

101     Blenheim MkIV        2        79                West Raynham, Norfolk, UK         

114     Blenheim MkIV        2        82                Wyton, Cambridgeshire, UK         

139     Blenheim MkIV        2        82                Wyton, Cambridgeshire, UK         

107     Blenheim MkIV        2        83                Wattisham, Norfolk, UK     

110     Blenheim MkIV        2        83                Wattisham, Norfolk, UK     

37      Wellington I             3        Feltwell         Feltwell, Norfolk, UK

214     Wellington IC           3        Feltwell         Methwold, Norfolk, UK       

9        Wellington IA           3        Honington     Honington, Suffolk, UK      

99      Wellington IC           3        Honington     Mildenhall, Suffolk, UK       

149     Wellington IC           3        Honington     Mildenhall, Suffolk, UK       

215     Wellington IA           3        Honington     Honington, Suffolk, UK      

38      Wellington IC           3        Marham         Marham Norfolk, UK

115     Wellington IC           3        Marham         Marham Norfolk, UK

10      Whitley IV               4        Dishforth       Dishforth, Yorkshire, UK     

77      Whitley III               4        Driffield         Driffield, Yorkshire, UK       

102     Whitley III               4        Driffield         Driffield, Yorkshire, UK       

51      Whitley II                4        Linton           Linton-on-Ouse,Lincolnshire, UK   

58      Whitley III               4        Linton           Linton-on-Ouse,Lincolnshire, UK   

78      Whitley V                4        Turnhill         Dishforth, Yorkshire, UK     

106     Hampden I              5        Cottesmore    Cottesmore, Rutland, UK   

185     Hampden I              5        Cottesmore    Cottesmore, Rutland, UK   

61      Hampden I              5        Hemswell      Hemswell, Lincolnshire, UK

144     Hampden I              5        Hemswell      Hemswell, Lincolnshire, UK

49      Hampden I              5        Scampton      Scampton, Lincolnshire, UK

83      Hampden I              5        Scampton      Scampton, Lincolnshire, UK

44      Hampden I              5        Waddington   Waddington, Lincolnshire, UK       

50      Hampden I              5        Waddington   Waddington, Lincolnshire, UK       

104     Blenheim I              6        B’bourne       Bassingbourne, Cambs, UK

108     Blenheim I              6        B’bourne       Bassingbourne, Cambs, UK

52      Battle I                   6        Benson          Benson, Huntingdonshire, UK       

35      Battle I                   6        Cranfield       Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK

207     Battle I                   6        Cranfield       Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK

98      Battle I                   6        Hucknall        Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, UK     

97      Whitley III               6        Leconfield      Leconfield, Yorkshire, UK   

166     Whitley III               6        Leconfield      Leconfield, Yorkshire, UK   

75      Wellington               6        Stradishall     Stradishall, Suffolk, UK      

148     Wellington               6        Stradishall     Stradishall, Suffolk, UK      

7        Hampden I              6        Up’r Heyford  Doncaster, Yorkshire, UK    

76      Hampden I              6        Up’r Heyford  Finningley, Yorkshire, UK   

63      Battle I                   6        Upwood         Benson, Huntingdonshire, UK       

90      Blenheim IV            6        W.Raynham   West Raynham, Norfolk, UK         

18      Blenheim MkI          22      Up’r Heyford  In transit to BEF

21      Blenheim IV            ?                             Bircham Newton, Norfolk, UK       

15      Battle I                   AASF  71                Betheniville, France  (Transit)

40      Battle I                   AASF 71                Betheniville, France  (Transit)

105     Battle I                   AASF 72                Rheims-Champagne,France(Trans)

226     Battle I                   AASF 72                Rheims-Champagne,France(Trans)

103     Battle I                   AASF  74                Challerange, France  (Transit)

150     Battle I                   AASF  74                Challerange, France  (Transit)

88      Battle I                   AASF  75      Aberive, France        (In Transit)

218     Battle I                   AASF  75      Aberive, France        (In Transit)

12      Battle I                   AASF  76      Berry-au-Bac, France          (In Transit)

142     Battle I                   AASF  76      Berry-au-Bac, France          (In Transit)

Fighter Command

501     Hurricane I              10      Filton            Filton

32      Hurricane I              11      Biggin Hill     Biggin Hill, Kent, UK

79      Hurricane I              11      Biggin Hill     Biggin Hill, Kent, UK

601     Blenheim IF             11      Biggin Hill     Biggin Hill, Kent, UK

3        Hurricane I              11      Croydon        Croydon, Surrey, UK

17      Hurricane I              11      Croydon        Croydon, Surrey, UK

615     Gladiator II              11      Croydon        Croydon, Surrey, UK

29      Blenheim IF             11      Debden         Debden, Essex, UK

85      Hurricane I              11      Debden         Debden, Essex, UK

87      Hurricane I              11      Debden         Debden, Essex, UK

54      Spitfire I                 11      Hornchurch    Hornchurch, Essex, UK

65      Spitfire I                 11      Hornchurch    Hornchurch, Essex, UK

74      Spitfire I                 11      Hornchurch    Hornchurch, Essex, UK

56      Hurricane I              11      North Weald  North Weald, Essex, UK

151     Hurricane I              11      North Weald  North Weald, Essex, UK

604     Blenheim IF             11      North Weald  North Weald, Essex, UK

25      Blenheim IF             11      Northolt        Northolt, Middlesex, UK

111     Hurricane I              11      Northolt        Northolt, Middlesex, UK

600     Blenheim IF             11      Northolt        Northolt, Middlesex, UK

1        Hurricane I              11      Tangmere      Tangmere, Sussex, UK

43      Hurricane I              11      Tangmere      Tangmere, Sussex, UK

605     Hurricane I              11      Tangmere      Tangmere, Sussex, UK

46      Hurricane I              12      Digby  Digby, Yorkshire, UK

73      Hurricane I              12      Digby  Digby, Yorkshire, UK

504     Hurricane I              12      Digby  Digby, Yorkshire, UK

19      Spitfire I                 12      Duxford         Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire, UK

66      Spitfire I                 12      Duxford         Duxford, Cambridgeshire, UK

611     Spitfire I                 12      Duxford         Duxford, Cambridgeshire, UK

23      Blenheim IF             12      Wittering       Wittering, Northamptonshire, UK

213     Hurricane I              12      Wittering       Wittering, Northamptonshire, UK

602     Spitfire I                 13      Abbotsinch    Abbotsinch, Renfrewshire,UK

41      Spitfire I                 13      Catterick       Catterick, Yorkshire, UK

609     Spitfire I                 13      Catterick       Catterick, Yorkshire, UK

616     Gauntlet II              13      Catterick       Doncaster, Yorkshire, UK

64      Blenheim IF             13      Ch. Fenton    Church Fenton, Yorkshire,UK

72      Spitfire I                 13      Ch. Fenton    Church Fenton, Yorkshire,UK

603     Gladiator I               13      Turnhouse     Turnhouse, Midlothian, UK

607     Gladiator II              13      Usworth        Usworth, Durham, UK

610     Spitfire I                 13      Gravesend     Gravesend, Essex, UK

Coastal Command



204     Sunderland I           15                Mountbattan, Devonshire, UK

210     Sunderland I           15                Pembroke Dock,Pembrokeshire, UK

217     Anson I                   15                Warmwell, Dorsetshire, UK

502     Anson I                             15                Aldergrove, Belfast, N.Ireland, UK

10RAAF         Sunderland I           15                Pembroke Dock,Pembrokeshire, UK

(10RAAF Sqn. was in UK to train on and fly back their Sunderland Flying Boats)

22      Vildebeest IV                     16                Thorney Island, Hampshire. UK

42      Vildebeest IV                     16                Bircham Newton, Norfolk, UK

48      Anson I                             16                Thorney Island, Hampshire. UK

206     Anson I                             16                Bircham Newton, Norfolk, UK

500     Anson I                             16                Detling, Kent, UK

201     London II                          18                Sullom Voe,

209     Stranraer                           18                Invergordon,

220     Anson I                             18                Thornaby,

223     Hudson I                           18                Leuchars,

224     Hudson I                           18                Leuchars,

240     London II                          18                Invergordon,

258     Anson I                             18                Montrose,

608     Anson I                             18                Thornaby,

612     Anson I                             18                Dyce

233     Hudson I                           ?                   Leuchars,

269     Anson I                             ?                   Wick

Army Co-operation Units

2        Lysander II    Army Co.Op   22                Hawkinge

13      Lysander II    Army Co.Op   22                Odiham

16      Lysander II    Army Co.Op   22                Old Sarum,

26      Lysander II    Army Co.Op   22                Catterick, Yorkshire, UK

53      Blenheim I    Army Co.Op   22                Farnborough, Hampshire, UK

57      Blenheim I    Army Co.Op   22                Netheravon,

59      Blenheim I    Army Co.Op   22                Old Sarum,

613     Hind             Army Co.Op   22                Ringway,

614     Hind             Army Co.Op   22                Cardiff

Middle East Command

208     Lysander II              Alexandria     86      Alexandria, Egypt

228     Sunderland I           Alexandria     86      Alexandria, Egypt

84      Blenheim MkI           B.F.Iraq                   Shaiba, Iraq

14      Wellesley                 Bomber Gp.Egypt     1        Ismailia, Egypt

30      Blenheim MkI           Bomber Gp.Egypt     1        Ismailia, Egypt

55      Blenheim MkI           Bomber Gp.Egypt     1        Ismailia, Egypt

70      Valentia                  Bomber Gp.Egypt     2        Helwan, Egypt

113     Blenheim MkI           Bomber Gp.Egypt     2        Heliopolis, Egypt

216     Valentia                  Bomber Gp.Egypt     2        Heliopolis, Egypt

33      Gladiator II              Bomber Gp.Egypt     3        Mersa Matruh, Egypt

45      Blenheim MkI           Bomber Gp.Egypt     3        Fuka, Egypt

211     Blenheim MkI           Bomber Gp.Egypt     3        El Daba, Egypt

802     Sea Gladiator II       Fighter Wing. Egypt FAA    Dekheila, Egypt

80      Gladiator II              Fighter Wing. Egypt           Amriya, Egypt

112     Gladiator II              Fighter Wing. Egypt           Helwan, Egypt

3 (A flight)    Various         Gibraltar                            Gibraltar

3        Various                   Mediterranean                    Kalafrana, Malta

202     London I                 Mediterranean                    Kalafrana, Malta

6        Hardy                      Palestine/Trans-Jordan       Ramlah, Palestine

8        Blenheim MkI           RAF Aden                          Khormaksar,Aden

94      Gladiator II              RAF Aden                          Sheik Othman, Aden

203     Singapore III           RAF Aden                Kamaran, Aden

223     Wellesley                 RAF Aden                Nairobi, Kenya

47      Wellesley                           254               Khartoum, Sudan

112(K Flight) Gladiator I               254               Port Sudan

208     Lysander II              Alexandria     86      Alexandria, Egypt

228     Sunderland I           Alexandria     86      Alexandria, Egypt

Far East Command

5        Wapati II                 AHQ              1                            Risalpah, India

20      Audax                     AHQ              1                            Miramshar, India

27      Wapati II                 AHQ              1                            Kohat, India

60      Blenheim MkI           AHQ              1                            Various, India

28      Audax                     AHQ                                            Kohat, India

31      Valentia                  AHQ                                            Lahore, India

11      Blenheim MkI           Singapore      2(Indian Wing)        Tengah, Singapore

34      Blenheim MkI           Singapore      2(Indian Wing)        Tengah, Singapore

39      Blenheim MkI           Singapore      2(Indian Wing)        Tengah, Singapore

62      Blenheim MkI           Singapore      2(Indian Wing)        Tengah, Singapore

36      Vildebeest III           Singapore                                    Seletar, Singapore

100     Vildebeest III           Singapore                                    Seletar, Singapore

205     Singapore III           Singapore                                    Seletar, Singapore

230     Sunderland I           Singapore                                    Seletar, Singapore

273     Vildebeest III           Singapore                                    China Bay, Ceylon

Aircraft types

• Bristol Blenheim Mk.I & Mk.IV                   Light Bomber                      27 squadrons
• Hawker Hurricane Mk.I                                 Interceptor Fighter              17 squadrons
• Fairey Battle Mk.I                                          Light Bomber                     15 squadrons
• Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I                             Interceptor Fighter              11 squadrons
• Avro Anson Mk.I                                           General Liason                   10 squadrons
• Handley-Page Hampden Mk.I                        Medium Bomber                10 squadrons
• Vickers Wellington Mk.I,IA,IC                     Medium Bomber                10 squadrons
• Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk.III,IV     Medium Bomber                  8 squadrons
• Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF                                 Heavy Fighter                      7 squadrons
• Gloster Gladiator Mk.I,II                               Biplane Fighter                    7 squadrons
• Westland Lysander Mk.II                              Recce & Spotter                   5 squadrons
• Short Sunderland Mk.I                                   Flying Boat                          5 squadrons
• Vickers Vildebeest Mk.III,IV                        Light Bomber                       5 squadrons
• Lockheed Hudson Mk.I                                 Medium Bomber                  3 squadrons
• Saunders Roe London Mk.I,II                       Flying Boat                           3 squadrons
• Vickers Valentia                                            Biplane Light Bomber          3 squadrons
• Vickers Wellesley                                          Light Bomber                       3 squadrons
• Hawker Audax                                               Biplane Light Bomber          2 squadrons
• Hawker Hind                                                  Biplane Light Bomber          2 squadrons
• Short Singapore Mk.III                                  Flying Boat                           2 squadrons
• Westland Wapiti                                            G.P. Biplane                          2 squadrons     
• Gloster Gauntlet                                             Biplane Fighter                     1 squadron
• Hawker Hardy                                               G.P. Biplane Light Bomber   1 squadron
• Supermarine Stranraer                                   Flying Boat                            1 squadron
• Supermarine Walrus                                      G.P. Float Plane                     1 squadron

Organisation

The RAF was unlike most of its allies or enemies in both the way it was organised or in its idea of why it was there. There were obvious exceptions to this in that the Commonwealth Air Forces were organised in a almost identical way. Following WW1 the RAF had fought hard to maintain its Independence from the Army who had wanted to absorb it as another Corps much like the Artillery or Engineers for instance. By being independent of the other two services, the RAF was able to develop along lines controlled by men who had a passion for flying and continually pushed the boundaries in their quest for keeping the RAF in the forefront of military aviation. Not that they always got it right of course, and between the wars there crept in those who became 'professional' administrators. The types who would prefer that the machines didn't fly because that made them dirty and sometimes even broke them. Fortunately there were enough minor wars and rebellions going on along the edges of the old Empire to require intervention and provide the odd kick up the rear that saw to it that the 'desk types' didn't take over completely.

The RAF was organise by the task expected of the men and machines within it. Firstly there was the Air Ministry. Here the political and air staff planned and organised the shape and direction that the RAF was to take in both the near and farther future. These decisions were made on the basis of known or perceived threats garnered from intelligence sources world wide. These considerations were then matched to the amount of money available from general taxation and the political will for following a particular path. The departments involved were (in no particular order):-

• Secretary of State for Air.
• Air Council
•  Dept. of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Air
•  Dept. of the Permanent Under Secretary of State for Air
•  Dept. of the Financial Secretary of the Air Ministry
•  Air Attaches to Embassies, Legations to Foreign Courts
•  Dept. of the Chief of Air Staff
•  Dept. of the Air Member for Personnel
•  Dept. of the Air Member for Supply and Organisation
•  Officer of the Judge Advocate General of Forces
•  Inspector General

Under these august men from the Air Ministry ranked the Air Force proper. These were grouped into independent Commands as follows:-

• Bomber Command
• Fighter Command
• Coastal Command
• Balloon Command
• Maintenance Command
• Training Command
• Reserve Command
• Army Co-operation
• AHQ India
• RAF Middle East Command
• RAF Far East Command
• Air Sea Rescue Services
• Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Units
• Communication and other Independent Flights

Each Command was in turn divided into smaller 'Groups', each covering a particular 'Sector' or role. These Groups were then divided into 'Stations' and later 'Wings' usually consisting of 2 'Squadrons' of 4 'Flights' of 3 aircraft. Thus each Squadron had 12 aircraft assigned to it and most 'Stations' accomodated 24 Aircraft plus the necessary maintenance, security and admin. staff required to keep them flying.(See above for Squadron lists)

In 1939 these Commands were arranged as follows:-

• Bomber Command - Air Chief Marshall Sir Edgar Ludlow-Hewitt
• HQ Uxbridge, Middlesex
• Advanced Air Striking Force - Air Vice Marshall AC Wright
• 71 Wing (15 & 40 Sqns)
• 72 Wing (105 & 226 Sqns)
• 74 Wing (103 & 150 Sqns)
• 75 Wing (88 & 218 Sqns)
• 76 Wing (12 & 142 Sqns)

(The AASF were in transit for France on the day Great Britain declared War, and were declared operational on the 6th September 1939)

• No.2 Group - Air Vice Marshall CT Maclean
• HQ Wyton, Huntingdonshire.
• 79 Wing (21, 82 & 101 Sqns)
• 82 Wing (114 & 139 Sqns)
• 83 Wing (107 &110 Sqns)

• No.3 Group - Air Vice Marshall JEA Baldwin
• HQ Mildenhall,Suffolk
• Honnington Station (9 & 215 Sqns)
• Mildenhall Station (99 & 149 Sqns)
• Marham Station (38 & 115 Sqns)
• Feltwell Station (37 & 214 Sqns)

• No.4 Group - Air Vice Marshall A Coningham
• HQ Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire
• Dishforth Station (10 & 78 Sqns)
• Linton-on-Ouse Station (51 & 58 Sqns)
• Driffield Station (77 & 102 Sqns)

• No.5 Group - Air Commodore WB Callaway
• HQ Grantham, Lincolnshire
• Waddington Station (44 & 50 Sqns)
• Scampton Station (49 & 83 Sqns)
• Hemswell Station (61 & 144 Sqns)
• Cottesmore Station (106 & 105 Sqns)

• No.6 Group - Air Vice Marshall WF MacN Foster
• HQ Abington, Berkshire
• Benson Station (52 & 63 Sqns)
• Bassingbourn Station (104 & 108 Sqns)
• Cranfield Station (35 & 207 Sqns)
• Stradishall Station (75 &148 Sqns)
• Upper Heyford Station (7 & 76 Sqns)
• Leconsfield Station (97 & 166 Sqns)
• West Raynham Station (90 Sqn)
• Hucknall Station (98 Sqn)

·       Fighter Command – Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding

o      HQ Stanmore, Middlesex

o      No.11 Group – Air Vice Marshal EL Gossage

§        HQ Uxbridge, Middlesex

§        Tangmere Station (1,43 & 605 Sqns)

§        Croydon Station (3,17 & 615 Sqns)

§        Northolt Station (25,111 & 600 Sqns)

§        Biggin Hill Station (32,79 & 601 Sqns)

§        Debden Station (29,85 & 87 Sqns)

§        Hornchurch Station (54,65 & 74 Sqns)

§        North Weald Station (56,151 & 604 Sqns)

o       No.12 Group – Air Vice Marshal TL Leigh-Mallory

§        HQ Watnal, Nottinghamshire

§        Wittering Station (23 & 213 Sqns)

§        Digby Station (46,73 & 504 Sqns)

§        Duxford Station (66 & 611 Sqns)

o       No.13 Group – Air Vice Marshal RE Saul

§        HQ Newcastle-upon Tyne, Northumberland

§        Church Fenton Station (64 & 72 Sqns)

§        Catterick Station (41,609 & 616 Sqns)

§        Abbotsinch Station (602 Sqn)

§        Turnhouse Station (603 Sqn)

§        Usworth Station (607 Sqn)

o       Coastal Command – Air Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhill

o       HQ Northwood, Middlesex

·        No.15 Group – Air Commodore RG Parry

o       HQ Plymouth, Devonshire

o       (10RAAF, 204,210,217 & 502 Sqns)

·        No.16 Group – Air Commodore RLG Marix

o       HQ Chatham, Kent

o       (22,42,48,206 & 500 Sqns)

·        N0.17 Group – Air Commodore TEB Howe

o       HQ Gosport, Hampshire

o       School of General Recon

o       Seaplane Training Squadron

o       Torpedo Training School

·        No.18 Group – Air Commodore CD Breese

o       HQ Dunfermline, Fife.

o       (201,209,220,224,233,240,269,608 & 612 Sqns)

o  Middle East Command – Air Chief Marshall Sir William GS Mitchell

§        HQ Cairo, Egypt

o  British Forces Iraq + AHQ Iraq – Air Vice Marshal CS Burnett

o       HQ Habbaniya, Iraq

o       Habbaniya Station

o       S.Flight,

o       No.4 Training School,

o       No.1 Air Stores Park

o       Supplies Depot Iraq

o       Aircraft Depot Iraq

o       Iraq Levies

o       No.1 Armoured Car Company RAF

o       Shaibah, Iraq. (84 Sqn)

o  British Forces Aden + AHQ Aden – Air Vice Marshal GRM Reid

o       HQ Khormaksar, Aden

o       Khormaksar Station, Aden (8 Sqn)

o       Kamaran Station, Aden (203 Sqn)

o       Sheik Othman Station, Aden (94 Sqn)

o       Nairobi Station, Kenya (223 Sqn)

o       RAF Unit Kenya

§        Commonwealth Sqn. Tanganika

§        Training School, Nairobi

§        Recon., Nairobi

§         

o  Mediterranean Command  – Air Commodore R Leckie

o       HQ Kalafrana, Malta

o       Kalafrana Station (202* & No.3AACU Sqns)

o  * ‘A’ Flight at Gibraltar

o  * ‘B’ Flight at Alexandria, Egypt

o  General Recon, Gibraltar

o  General Recon Alexandria

o  Royal Egyptian Air Force (3 & 4 Sqns)

o  Bomber Group, Egypt

o  RAF Palestine & Trans-Jordan

o  Fighter Wing, Egypt (80,112,802FAA,2REAF and 5REAF Sqns)

o  RAF Sudan (254 & 47 Sqns)

o  Heliopolis Commonwealth Sqn

o  No.1 Towed Target Sqn

o  No.3 Air Stores Park

o  No. 101 Maintenance Unit

o  No. 102 Maintenance Unit

o  RAF Depot Middle East

·  Air Headquarters, India – Air Marshal Sir Phillip Joubert de la Ferte

·                 HQ Simla, India

·       No.1 Group (Indian)

o No.1 (Indian Wing) Station. Kohat (27Sqn)

o Risalpur Station (5ACU)

o Miramshar Station (20ACU)

o Ambala Station (60 Sqn)

·       Kohat Station (28ACU)

·       Lahore Station ( 31Sqn)

·       AHQ India, Lahore

·       Target Towing, Trincomalee

·       India Aircraft Depot, Karachi

·       Royal Indian Air Force

·       RAF Far East Command – Air Vice Marshal JT Babington

o HQ Singapore

·       RAF Seletar (No.4AACU, 36,100,205 & 230 Sqns)

·       No.2 Indian Wing (11, 34*, 39 and 62* Sqns) (*in transit from GB)

·       China Bay Station

·       Aircraft Depot Far East

·       Balloon Command – Air Vice Marshal OT Boyd

·  HQ Stanmore, Middlesex

·       No 30 Balloon Barrage Group, London

·  No.1 Balloon Centre, Kidbrooke (901,902 & 903 Sqns)

·  No.2 Balloon Centre, Hook (904 & 905 Sqns)

·  No.3 Balloon Centre, Stanmore (906 & 907 Sqns)

o      No.31 Balloon Barrage Group, Birmingham

·  No.4 Balloon Centre, Chigwell (908,909 & 910 Sqns)

·  No.5 Balloon Centre, Sutton Coldfield (911,912 & 913 Sqns)

·  No.6 Balloon Centre, Wythall (914,915,916, & 917 Sqns)

·  No.7 Balloon Centre, Avaston (918 Sqn)

·  No.8 Balloon Centre, Liverpool (919,920 & 921 Sqns)

o      No.32 Balloon Barrage Group, Romsey/Bath

·  No.9 Balloon Centre, Warrington (922 & 923 Sqns)

·  No.10 Balloon Centre, Manchester (924,925 & 926 Sqns)

·  No.11 Balloon Centre, Bristol (927,928 & 929 Sqns)

·  No.12 Balloon Centre, Fareham (930,931,932 & 933 Sqns)

·  No.13 Balloon Centre, Plymouth (934 Sqn)

·  No.14 Balloon Centre, Cardiff (935 Sqn)

o      No.33 Balloon Barrage Group, Long Benton

·  No.15 Balloon Centre, Newcastle (936,937 & 938 Sqns)

·  No.16 Balloon Centre, Sheffield (939, 940 & 941 Sqns)

·  No.17 Balloon Centre, Hull (942,943 & 944 Sqns)

·  No.18 Balloon Centre, Glasgow (945, 946 and 947 Sqns)

o      No.1 Balloon Training Centre, Cardington

o      No.2 Balloon Training Centre, Cardington

·  RAF Maintenance Command – Air Vice Marshal Sir John Bradley

• HQ Andover, Hampshire

• No.40 Group (all equipment except bombs & explosives)
• No.41 Group (supply and allocation of aircraft)
• N0.42 Group (ammunition & fuel)
• No.43 Group (salvage of aircraft & equipment)

·       Training Command – Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore

·       HQ Market Drayton

·       No.21 Training Sqn., Cranwall

·       No.22 Training Sqn.

·       No.24 Training Sqn.

·       No.25 Armament Training Sqn.

·       Central Flying school, Upavon

·       No.1 School of Technical Training

·       Reserve Command – Air Chief Marshal Sir John Steel (retired)

o      HQ Hendon (moved to reading 4/9/39)

·       No.50 Training Squadron

·       No.51 Training Squadron

·       No.54 Training Squadron

·       No. 22 (Army Cooperation) Group – Air Vice Marshall CHB Blount

·       2,13,16,26 & 613 Sqns

·  Communications, Hendon (24 Sqn)

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