The Royal Auxiliary Air Force
Commemorating 100 Years of Service
- 256 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force
Commemorating 100 Years of Service
About This Book
Owing its origins to Lord Trenchard's desire to establish an elite corps of civilians who would serve their country in flying squadrons during their spare time, the Auxiliary Air Force (AAF) was first formed in October 1924. Today, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) is the primary reinforcement capability for the regular RAF. It consists of paid volunteers who, at weekends, evenings and holidays, train to support the RAF, particularly in times of national emergency and conflict. This has seen the AAF play important roles in the Battle of Britain, its squadrons claiming 30 per cent of enemy 'kills'. Other notable achievements by AAF pilots include the first German aircraft destroyed over the British mainland and its territorial waters, the first U-boat to be destroyed with the aid of airborne radar, the first destruction of a V-1 flying bomb, and an AAF squadron claimed the highest score of any British night fighter squadron. It was an AAF squadron which was the first to be equipped with jet-powered aircraft. Receiving 'Royal' status in 1947 in recognition of its contribution to victory in the Second World War, the RAuxAF also came to the fore during the Cold War providing home defense as the regular squadrons were shipped to hotspots around the world. In more recent times, squadrons and personnel of the RAuxAF have seen action in Iraq and Afghanistan This book presents, for the first time, the history and development of all the squadrons and units that made up the Auxiliary and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, including the Balloon Squadrons, the Maritime Headquarters Units, Fighter Control and Radar Reporting Units, Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiments and of course the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. These devoted warriors continue to serve alongside the regular forces in defense of the United Kingdom, ready to be called into action whenever their country is in time of need.
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Table of contents
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- Acronyms
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 The Origins of the Auxiliary Air Force
- Chapter 2 To Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain
- Chapter 3 The Second World War
- Chapter 4 The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force 1939–1946
- Chapter 5 Post War Flying Squadrons 1947–1957
- Chapter 6 Radar and the Role of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in the Control and Reporting System 1947–1959
- Chapter 7 The Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment
- Chapter 8 The Maritime Headquarters Units of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
- Chapter 9 Specialist Squadrons and Units 1979–2021
- Chapter 10 Royal Auxiliary Air Force Foundation – History from 2000–2018
- Timeline The Auxiliary Air Force/Royal Auxiliary Air Force Timeline 1924–2024
- Criteria for Inclusion on the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Roll of Honour
- Auxiliary Air Force and Royal Auxiliary Air Force Roll of Honour
- Bibliography
- Plates Sections