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For the computer game, see Flying Corps. Flying Corps is a 1996 World War I Flight simulator developed by Rowan Software and published by Empire Interactive.
Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps roundel. The roundel was adopted by the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. The roundel has been adopted by Commonwealth air forces, replacing the red circle with a national symbol
Active 13 May 1912 - 1 April 1918
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
Motto Per Ardua ad Astra
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Sir David Henderson
Lord Trenchard

The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. Events 1497 - Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1912: Events First all-metal aircraft flies the Tubavion monoplane built by Ponche Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. Other mottos/phrases also incorporate the Latin "ad astra" Lieutenant General Sir David Y Henderson KCB, KCVO, DSO, LLD (11 August 1862 &ndash 17 August 1921 was an officer in the Marshal of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard 1st Viscount Trenchard GCB OM GCVO DSO (3 February 1873 - 10 February World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred totally on support of the British Army, via artillery cooperation and photographic reconnaissance. This work gradually led RFC pilots into aerial battles with German pilots and later in the war included the strafing of enemy infantry and emplacements, the bombing of German airfields and later the strategic bombing of German industrial and transportation facilities. On 1 April 1918, the RFC was amalgamated with the Royal Naval Air Service to form the Royal Air Force. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British

Contents

Origin and early history

Formed by Royal Warrant on 13 May 1912, the Military Wing of the Royal Flying Corps superseded the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers. Events 1497 - Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola. Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting The Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers was the first flying unit of the British Armed Forces to make use of Heavier-than-air craft The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers ( RE) and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps Its initial allowed strength was 133 officers, and by the end of that year, it had 12 manned balloons and 36 aeroplanes. A balloon is a flexible bag filled with a type of Gas, such as Helium, Hydrogen, Nitrous oxide or air. Overview Fixed-wing aircraft range from small training and recreational aircraft to Wide-body aircraft and military cargo aircraft. The RFC originally came under the responsibility of Brigadier-General Henderson, the Director of Military Training, and had separate branches for the Army and the Navy. Lieutenant General Sir David Y Henderson KCB, KCVO, DSO, LLD (11 August 1862 &ndash 17 August 1921 was an officer in the Major Sykes commanded the Military Wing and Commander C R Samson commanded the Naval Wing. Air Vice Marshal Sir Frederick Hugh Sykes GCSI, GCIE, GBE, KCB, CMG, PC ( 23 July 1877 Air Commodore Charles Rumney Samson CMG, DSO & Bar, AFC (8 July 1883 &ndash 5 February 1931 was a British Naval aviation [1] The Royal Navy however, with different priorities to that of the Army and wishing to retain greater control over its aircraft, formally separated its branch and renamed it the Royal Naval Air Service in 1914. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British

The RFC's motto was Per ardua ad astra ("Through adversity to the stars"). Other mottos/phrases also incorporate the Latin "ad astra" This remains the motto of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and various Commonwealth air forces.

The RFC's first fatal crash was on 5 July 1912 near Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain. Events 1295 - Scotland and France form an alliance the beginnings of the Auld Alliance, against England. Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting Stonehenge is a Prehistoric Monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about west of Amesbury and north of Salisbury Salisbury Plain is a Chalk Plateau in central southern England covering. Killed were Captain Eustace B. Lorraine and his observer, Staff-Sergeant R. H. V. Wilson. An order was issued after the crash stating "Flying will continue this evening as usual", thus beginning a tradition.

Aircraft

Main article: List of aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps

RFC and RNAS aircraft used during the war included:

Squadrons

Main article: List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons

Two of the first three RFC squadrons were formed from the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers: No. This is a list of aircraft used by the Royal Flying Corps. Airco DH Aircraft Manufacturing Company - Airco - was established at The Hyde in Hendon, north London, England during 1912 The Airco DH2 was a single-seat Biplane " pusher " aircraft which operated as a fighter WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Airco DH5 was a British First World War single-seat Fighter aircraft specifically designed to replace the obsolete Airco DH The Airco DH9 (from de Havilland 9 also known after 1920 as the de Havilland DH Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth & Co Ltd was a major British manufacturing company of the early years of the 20th century The Armstrong Whitworth FK8 was a British two-seat general purpose Aircraft built by Armstrong Whitworth during the First World War. Avro was a British Aircraft manufacturer, with numerous landmark designs such as the Avro 504 trainer in the First World War, the Avro The Avro 504 was a World War I Biplane Aircraft made by the Avro aircraft company and under licence by others The Bristol Aeroplane Company, originally British and Colonial Aeroplane Company was a major British aviation company WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Handley Page Limited was founded by Frederick Handley Page (later Sir Frederick in 1909 as the United Kingdom 's first publicly traded aircraft manufacturing The Handley Page Type O was an early Bomber aircraft used by Britain during World War I. The Martinsyde G100 "Elephant" and the G102 were British fighter bomber aircraft of the First World War. Aéroplanes Morane-Saulnier is a French aircraft manufacturer formed by Raymond Saulnier(1881-1964 and the Morane Brothers Leon(1885-1918 & Robert(1886-1968 in October Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company famous for racers before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE England, was a British research establishment latterly under the UK Ministry of Defence WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Royal Aircraft Factory FE2 was a two-seat pusher Biplane that was operated as a day and night Bomber and as a Fighter aircraft by the WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Royal Aircraft Factory RE8 was a British two-seat Biplane Reconnaissance and Bomber aircraft of the First World War. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Short Brothers plc is a British Aerospace company usually referred to simply as Shorts, that is now based in Belfast, Northern Ireland WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Short Bomber was a British two-seat long-range reconnaissance bombing and torpedo carrying aircraft designed by Short Brothers as a land-based development The Sopwith Aviation Company was a British Aircraft company that designed and manufactured aeroplanes mainly for the British Royal Flying Corps, Royal The Sopwith Baby was a British single-seat Seaplane used by the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS from 1915 WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Sopwith Pup was a British single seater Biplane Fighter aircraft used during the First World War. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Vickers was a famous name in British engineering that existed through many companies from 1828 until 2004 WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This is a list of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons. It includes Royal Flying Corps (RFC and Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS squadrons incorporated into the 1 Company (a balloon company) becoming No. 1 Squadron, RFC, and No. No 1 (F Squadron is a Squadron of the Royal Air Force. It currently operates the Harrier GR7 from RAF Cottesmore. 2 Company (a 'heavier than air' company) becoming No. 3 Squadron, RFC. No 3 (F Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Typhoon F2 /FGR4 and T1 from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire A second heavier-than-air squadron, No. 2 Squadron, RFC, was also formed on the same day. No II (AC Squadron of the Royal Air Force is currently one of two RAF squadrons operating in the Reconnaissance

No. 4 Squadron, RFC was formed from No. No IV Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Harrier GR7 from RAF Cottesmore. 2 Sqn in August 1912, and No. 5 Squadron, RFC from No. No 5 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is the operator of the new Sentinel R1 Airborne STand-Off Radar (ASTOR 3 Sqn in July 1913.

By the end of the First World War, the Royal Flying Corps comprised some 150 squadrons.

The composition of an RFC squadron varied depending on its designated role, although the Commanding Officer was usually a Major (in a 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 Officer' (of Captain/Lieutenant rank) would act as Intelligence Officer and Adjudant, commanding 2 or 3 NCOs and 10 other ranks in the Administration section of the Squadron. Each flight contained on average 6-10 pilots (and 6-10 observers if applicable) with a Senior Sergeant and 36 other ranks (as Fitters, Riggers,Metal smiths, Armourers etc). The average squadron also boasted an Equipment Officer, Armaments Officer (each with 5 other ranks) and a Transport Officer, in charge of 22 other ranks.

Wings

Wings in the Royal Flying Corps consisted of a number of squadrons. Wing is a term used by different Air forces for a unit of command A squadron is a small unit or formation of Cavalry, armour, Aircraft (including Balloons) or Warships Army

When the Royal Flying Corps was established it was intended to be a joint service and given the rivalry that existed between the British Army and Royal Navy certain new terminology was thought necessary in order to avoid marking the Corps out as having a particularly Army or Navy ethos. Interservice rivalry is a Military term referring to rivalries that can arise between different branches of a country's Armed forces, such as between a nation's The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) 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 Naval Air Service, having gained its independence from the Royal Flying Corps.

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 re-used for these new organizational units.

The Military Wing was abolished and its units based in Great Britain were re-grouped as the Administrative Wing. [1] The RFC squadrons in France were grouped under the newly established 1st Wing and the 2nd Wing. Number 1 Wing of the Royal Air Force was a wing of aircraft squadrons which was originally established as the First Wing of the Royal Flying Corps The 1st Wing was assigned to the support of the 1st Army whilst the 2nd Wing supported the 2nd Army

As the Flying Corps grew so did the number of wings. The First Army was a field army of the British Army that existed during the First and Second World Wars First World War The British Second Army existed in both the First and Second World Wars World War I During World War I, the army was formed on The 3rd Wing was established on 1 March 1915 and on 15 April the 5th Wing came into existence. Events 86 BC - Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army enters in Athens, removing the Tyrant Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Number 5 Wing of the Royal Air Force was a wing of aircraft squadrons which was originally established as the Fifth Wing of the Royal Flying Corps By August that year the 6th Wing had been created and in November 1915 a 7th Wing and 8th Wing had also been stood up.

Brigades

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' wing would be grouped in pairs to form brigades and the commander of each brigade would hold the temporary rank of brigadier-general. A brigade is a Military unit Echelon: is Brigadier General is the lowest ranking General Officer in some countries usually sitting between the ranks of Colonel and Major General. The scheme met with Lord Kitchener's approval and although many more junior staff officers opposed it, the scheme was adopted. Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener 1st Earl Kitchener, KG, KP, GCB, OM [2]

The following brigades were established (the date of establishment is shown in parentheses):[2]

The IX, X and XI brigades were formed as part of the Royal Air Force and never existed as RFC formations. Events 27 BC - The title Augustus is bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian by the Roman Senate. Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 4004 BC - Creation of the world begins according to the calculations of Archbishop James Ussher 42 BC - Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 27 BC - The title Augustus is bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian by the Roman Senate. Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah 's reign Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 1065 - Westminster Abbey is Consecrated. 1308 - The reign of Emperor Hanazono, Emperor of Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year

Bases

Royal Flying Corps of Canada

First World War

Recruiting poster
Recruiting poster

The RFC was also responsible for the manning and operation of observation balloons on the Western front. RAF Halton is one of the larger Royal Air Force (RAF stations in the United Kingdom, located near the village of Halton Buckinghamshire. RAF Wyton is a Royal Air Force station near St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. RAF Waddington is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England. RAF Northolt is a Royal Air Force station in the London Borough of Hillingdon, in north west Greater London, England. Royal Air Force Station Marham, commonly known as RAF Marham, is a Royal Air Force station, a Military Airbase, near the RAF Shawbury is a Royal Air Force station by the village of Shawbury near Shrewsbury, Shropshire. RAF Lakenheath is a Royal Air Force airfield located near Lakenheath in Suffolk, England RAF Mona is a Royal Air Force station on the island of Anglesey, Wales. For both the types of transport aircraft called Andover used by the RAF see Avro Andover (1920s and Hawker Siddeley Andover (1960s-present day. The Army Air Corps is a component of the British Army, first formed in 1942 Bicester Aerodrome, formerly RAF Bicester, is an airfield on the Outskirts of the English town of Bicester in Oxfordshire. London Biggin Hill Airport is an airport at Biggin Hill on the southern edge of the United Kingdom 's capital city of London. RAF Catterick was formerly a Royal Air Force airfield located near Catterick North Yorkshire in England. Also referred to as Doncaster Aerodrome The first Aviation meeting in England In 1909 Doncaster and specifically Doncaster Racecourse was chosen as the RAF Elsham Wolds is a former Royal Air Force station in England operating in both World War I and World War II. RAF Finningley was a Royal Air Force station near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, partly within the traditional county boundaries of Nottinghamshire RAF Hemswell was an airfield used by RAF Bomber Command for 20 years between 1937 and 1957 and saw most of its operational life during World War Two. RAF Hornchurch was an airfield in the south of Hornchurch in what is now the London Borough of Havering. Hooton Park, on the Wirral Peninsula, Cheshire, is an airfield originally built for the Royal Flying Corps in 1917 as a training aerodrome for pilots RAF Hemswell was an airfield used by RAF Bomber Command for 20 years between 1937 and 1957 and saw most of its operational life during World War Two. The former Royal Air Force Station Kenley, more commonly known as RAF Kenley (now known as Kenley Aerodrome) was a station of the Royal Flying Corps RAF Manston was an RAF station in the north-east of Kent, at on the Isle of Thanet from 1916 until 1996 North Weald Airfield is an operational Airfield, near the village of North Weald Bassett in Epping Forest, Essex. RAF Molesworth is a Royal Air Force station located near Molesworth Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom with a history dating back to 1917 Saint-Omer ( Sint-Omaars in Dutch) a town and commune of Artois in northern France, Sous-préfecture of the The former Royal Air Force Station Upavon, more commonly known as RAF Upavon, was a grass Airfield, Military Flight training school The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. RAF Upper Heyford was a Royal Air Force station located north-west of Bicester near the village of Upper Heyford Oxfordshire, England. RAF Usworth was a Royal Air Force station near Sunderland which closed in 1958 becoming Sunderland Airport. RAF Martlesham Heath is a former Royal Air Force airfield in England. Camp Taliaferro was a World War I flight training center run by the U Canadian Forces Base Borden (also CFB Borden) is a Canadian Forces base located in Ontario. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Armour Heights Field was home to a Royal Flying Corps Airfield near Toronto, Canada during World War I, and was one of three in the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Leaside Aerodrome was an airport in the Town of Leaside, Ontario (now a neighbourhood of Toronto) Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Long Branch Aerodrome in west end Toronto was opened for use in 1917 by the Royal Flying Corps of Canada, but closed 1919 Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Belleville ( 2006 population 48821 metropolitan population 91518 is a city located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in southeastern See Western Front (disambiguation for other meanings Western Front was a term used during the First and Second World

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. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Despite the primitive aircraft, aggressive leadership by RFC commander Hugh Trenchard and the adoptionof 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 ; dubbed 'Bloody April'. Marshal of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard 1st Viscount Trenchard GCB OM GCVO DSO (3 February 1873 - 10 February During the First World War, the month of April 1917 was known as Bloody April by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC

This aggressive if costly doctrine did however provide the Army General Staff with vital and up-to-date intelligence on German positions and numbers through continual photographic and observational reconnaissance though the entire war. A military staff is a group of officers and enlisted personnel that provides a bi-directional flow of information between a commander and subordinate units

1914-15; Initial Actions with the British Expeditionary Force

At the start of the war, numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5 squadrons were equipped with aeroplanes, whilst the 1st Squadron was equipped with balloons. No II (AC Squadron of the Royal Air Force is currently one of two RAF squadrons operating in the Reconnaissance No 3 (F Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Typhoon F2 /FGR4 and T1 from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire No IV Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Harrier GR7 from RAF Cottesmore. No 5 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is the operator of the new Sentinel R1 Airborne STand-Off Radar (ASTOR No 1 (F Squadron is a Squadron of the Royal Air Force. It currently operates the Harrier GR7 from RAF Cottesmore.

The 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 on the way to rendezvous with the rest of the RFC near Dover. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Dover is a town and major ferry port in the county of Kent, England. Skene had been the first Englishman to do a loop in an airplane.

On 13 August 1914 2, 3, and 4 squadrons, comprising 60 machines, departed Dover for the British Expeditionary Force in France. Events 3114 BC - According to the Lounsbury correlation the start of the Maya calendar. Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Dover is a town and major ferry port in the county of Kent, England. The British Expeditionary Force ( BEF) was the British army sent to the Western Front in France and Belgium on the outbreak of The 5th Squadron joined them a few days later. No 5 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is the operator of the new Sentinel R1 Airborne STand-Off Radar (ASTOR The aircraft took a route across the English Channel from Dover to Boulogne. Boulogne-sur-Mer ( Bonen in Dutch is a City in Northern France. They then followed the French coast to the Bay of the Somme before travelling inland by following the river to Amiens. The Somme is a department of France, located in the north of the country and named after the Somme river. Amiens (amjɛ̃ is a city and commune in northern France, 120 km north of Paris. When the BEF moved forward to Maubeuge the RFC accompanied them. Maubeuge is a town and commune of northern France, in the département of Nord, situated on both banks of the Sambre

On 19 August the Corps undertook its first action of the War with two of its aircraft performing aerial reconnaissance. Events 43 BC - Octavian, later known as Augustus compels the Roman Senate to elect him Consul. Reconnaissance (also scouting) is a military and medical term denoting exploration conducted to gain information The mission was not a great success. In order to save weight each aircraft carried a pilot only instead of the usual pair of 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.

Four days later on 23 August 1914 the RFC found itself fighting in the Battle of Mons and two days after that the Flying Corps gained its first air victory. Events 79 - Mount Vesuvius begins stirring on the feast day of Vulcan the Roman god of fire Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year For the ancient Roman campaign see Battle of Mons Algidus. The Battle of Mons was the first major action of the British Expeditionary Force On 25 August Lt C. Events 1248 - The Dutch city of Ommen receives city rights and fortification rights from Otto III the W. Wilson and Lt C. E. C. Rabagliati forced down a German Etrich Taube which had approached their aerodrome while they were refueling their Avro. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Another RFC machine landed nearby and the RFC observer chased the German pilot into some nearby woods.

After the British retreat from Mons, the Corps fell back to the Marne where in September they the RFC proved its value by identifying von Kluck's First Army's left wheel against the exposed French flank. Marne is a department in north-eastern France named after the Marne River which flows through the department Alexander Heinrich Rudolph von Kluck ( May 20, 1846 &ndash October 19, 1934) was a German General during World The 1st Army (German 1 Armee) was a World War I and World War II field army This information was significant as the First Army's manoeuvre allowed French forces to make an effective counter-attack and also prevented the encirclement of the British Army at Mons.

Sir John French'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. Field Marshal John Denton Pinkstone French 1st Earl of Ypres KP, GCB, OM, GCVO, KCMG, ADC, PC ( The British Expeditionary Force ( BEF) was the British army sent to the Western Front in France and Belgium on the outbreak of Events 1251 BC - A Solar eclipse on this date might mark the birth of legendary Heracles at Thebes Greece. 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. "

Markings

Early in the war RFC aircraft were marked with Union Flags on the wings. The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The aircraft were often fired upon by ground forces because the markings were mistaken for the crosses on German aircraft. To prevent this the RFC adopted the familiar roundel and tail cockade markings from the French, though with the colours in reverse order. A roundel in Heraldry is any circular shape in military use it is an Emblem of nationality employed on military aircraft and air force flags generally round and

Roles and Responsibilities

Later in September, during the First Battle of the Aisne which followed, the RFC made use of wireless telegraphy to assist with artillery targeting and took aerial photographs for the first time. This article is about the 1914 battle For other battles of the Aisne see Battle of the Aisne. [3] From 16,000 feet a photographic plate could cover some 2 miles by 3 miles of front line in sharp detail.

One of the initial and most vital uses for RFC aircraft was the spotting of artillery fire. The results of the artillery fire were easy enough for the pilot to observe; the problem was communicating any necessary corrections to the firing battery. The early method was for the flier to write a note and drop it to the ground where it could be recovered. The RFC pioneered experiments with radio transmitters in their aircraft. Unfortunately the transmitters of the time weighed 75 pounds and filled an entire seat in the cockpit. This meant that the pilot had to fly the aircraft, navigate, observe the fall of the shells and transmit the results by morse code by himself. Also, the radios in the aircraft could not receive so the pilots could not be sent any instructions or questions from the ground. This work was originally done by a special Wireless Flight which was attached to No. 4 Squadron RFC. Eventually this flight was expanded into No. 9 Squadron under Major Hugh Dowding. Air Chief Marshal Hugh Caswell Tremenheere Dowding 1st Baron Dowding GCB, GCVO, CMG ( 24 April 1882 &ndash 15 February

A more unusual mission for the RFC was the delivery of spies to behind enemy lines. The first such mission took place on the morning of 13 September 1915 and was not a success. Events 509 BC - The Temple of Jupiter on Rome 's Capitoline Hill is dedicated on the ides of September Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The plane crashed, the pilot and spy were badly injured and they were both captured. (Two years later however the pilot, Captain T. W. 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 the spies supplied with the carrier pigeons 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.

Saint-Omer

As the war moved into the period of the mobile warfare commonly called the Race to the Sea, the Corps moved forward again. The Race to the Sea was a name given to a period of World War I when on the Western Front, the two sides were still engaged in mobile warfare On 8 October 1914 the RFC arrived in Saint-Omer and a headquarters was established at the aerodrome next to the local race course. Events 314 - Roman Emperor Licinius is defeated by his colleague Constantine I at the Battle of Cibalae, and loses Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Saint-Omer ( Sint-Omaars in Dutch) a town and commune of Artois in northern France, Sous-préfecture of the 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 transit camp before moving on to other locations, the base grew in importance as it increased its logistic support to the RFC.

1916-17

Before the Battle of the Somme (1916) the RFC mustered 421 aircraft, with 4 kite-balloon squadrons and 14 balloons. The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, fought from July to November 1916 was among the largest battles of the First World War These made up four brigades, which worked with 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.

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 Jastas, equipped with the Albatros fighter, inflicted very heavy losses on the RFC's increasingly obsolete aircraft, culminating in Bloody April, the nadir of the RFC's fortunes in WW1. During the First World War, the month of April 1917 was known as Bloody April by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC

To support the Battle of Arras beginning on 9 April 1917, the RFC deployed 25 squadrons, totalling 365 aircraft, a third of which were fighters (scouts). Events 193 - Septimius Severus is proclaimed Roman Emperor by the army in Illyricum (in the Balkans) Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year 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.

By the summer of 1917 however, the introduction of the next generation of technically advanced combat aircraft (such as the SE5, Sopwith Camel and Bristol Fighter) ensured losses fell and damage inflicted on the enemy increased. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

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 Battle of Cambrai. The Battle of Cambrai ( 20 November - 3 December 1917) was a British campaign of World War I.

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

Italy

The failure of the Italian Army to contain the Austro-Hungarian forces in Northern Italy led to the transfer of 3 RFC fighter ( 28, 45 and 66 Squadrons) and one two-seater squadron (34 Squadron) to the Italian Front in November 1917.

1918

The German Offensive in March 1918 was an all-out effort to win the war before the industrial and numerical might of the USA could be brought to bear on the Western Front. In the weeks following the launch of the attack, RFC crews flew unceasingly, with all types of aircraft bombing and strafing ground forces, often from extremely low level, meantime also bringing back vital reports of the fluid ground fighting.

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 that any other day during the war. The cost to halting the German advance was high however, with over 400 aircrew killed and 1000 aircraft lost to enemy action.

Amalgamation with the RNAS

On 17 August 1917, General Jan Smuts presented a report to the War Council on the future of air power. Events 986 - A Byzantine army was destroyed in the pass of Trajan's Gate by the Bulgarians under the Comitopuli Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Field Marshal Jan Christiaan Smuts, OM, CH, PC, ED, KC, FRS (24 May 1870 &ndash 11 September 1950 was a prominent 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.

Surprisingly, Trenchard was opposed to a new service. He had always felt that the purpose of the RFC was to support the Army (and the RNAS the Navy) and was worried that a new service wouldn't provide the same level of tactical battle field support. He was also concerned about the careers of the pilots. Because of the high demands on RFC pilots many of them became burned out and were unable to continue in combat. Since pilots were seconded to the RFC from other regiments they could return to those units once they were no longer able to fly. In a separate service this would no longer be an option. The formation of the new service however would make the underutilised men and machines of the RNAS available for action across the Western Front.

On 1 April 1918, the RFC and the RNAS were amalgamated to form a new service, the Royal Air Force. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The RAF was under the control of the new Air Ministry. The Air Ministry was formerly a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force. After starting in 1914 with some 2,073 personnel by the start of 1919 the RAF had 4,000 combat aircraft and 114,000 personnel.

Recruitment & Training

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 were sent on their first sortie with only a brief introduction to the aircraft from the pilot. Once certified as fully qualified the observer was awarded the coveted half-wing brevet. Once 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 in command of the aircraft while the pilot just 'drove' the machine. This was found to be less effective in combat than having the pilot in charge. Observers were usually taught only enough piloting to be able to land their aircraft in case the pilot was killed or wounded. It was very common for experienced observers to be selected for pilot training.

Applicant 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 School of Military Aeronautics at either Reading or Oxford. Following this period of theoretical learning the cadet was posted to a Training Sqaudron, either in the UK or overseas.

Colonel Robert Smith-Barry, a former CO of 60 Squadron, appalled at the poor standard of newly trained pilots and high fatality rate during training in 1915-16, formulated a comprehensive curriculum for pilot training, and with the agreement of Trenchard, returned to the UK to implement his training ethos at Gosport in 1917. Robert Raymond Smith-Barry ( 4 April 1886 &ndash 2 May 1949) was an officer in the Royal Flying Corps and its successor the History The Rowner area of the peninsula was known to have been settled in Saxon times mentioned in the Anglo Saxon Chronicles as Rughenor (Rough bank or slope 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 student could learn to safely rectify errors of judgement.

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

In May 1916 pilots under instruction were further trained for fighting in the air. Schools of special flying were set up at Turnberry, Marske,Sedgeforth,Feiston, East Fortune and Ayr, where finished pilots could simulate combat flying under the supervision of veteran instructors. East Fortune is a village in East Lothian, Scotland, located 2 miles (3 km north west of East Linton. Ayr (Inbhir Àir Mouth of the River Ayr) is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde, in south-west Scotland. [4]

In 1917, the American, British, and Canadian Governments agreed to join forces for training. Between April 1917 and January 1919, Camp Borden in Ontario hosted instruction on flying, wireless, air gunnery and photography, training 1,812 RFC Canada pilots and 72 for the United States. Canadian Forces Base Borden (also CFB Borden) is a Canadian Forces base located in Ontario. Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec It now hosts the largest training wing of the Canadian Forces. The Canadian Forces (CF ( French: Forces canadiennes) are the unified Armed forces of Canada, governed by the National Defence Training also took place at several other Ontario locations.

During winter 1917-18, RFC instructors trained with the Signal Corps of the U.S. Army on three airfields accommodating about six thousand men, at Camp Taliaferro near Fort Worth, Texas. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. Camp Taliaferro was a World War I flight training center run by the U Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas and the seventeenth-largest city in the United States. Training was hazardous; 39 RFC officers and cadets died in Texas. Eleven remain there, reinterred in 1924 at a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery where a monument honours their sacrifice. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission ( CWGC) is a joint governmental organisation responsible for marking and maintaining the graves of members of the Commonwealth

As the war drew on the RFC increasingly drew on men from across the British Empire including South Africa, Canada and Australia. The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Over 200 Americans joined the RFC before the USA became a combatant. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Eventually Canadians made up nearly a third of RFC aircrew.

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. [5]

Parachutes

In 1915 inventor Everard Calthrop offered the RFC his patented parachute. Everard Richard Calthrop (1857 - 1927 was a British Railway Engineer and Inventor. A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag. On 13 January 1917, Captain Clive Collett made the first British military parachute jump from a heavier-than-air craft. Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The jump, from 600 feet, was successful but the higher authorities in the RFC and the Air Board were opposed to the issuing of parachutes to pilots. 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 clumbersome, and the added weight was frowned apon by experienced pilots as it adversely affected aircraft with already marginal performance. It was not until 16 September 1918 that the order was issued for all single seater aircraft to be fitted with parachutes. Events 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr is declared Prince of Wales by his followers Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

End of the War

At the end of the war there were 5,182 pilots in service (just 2% of the RAF). In comparison the casulties 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 dropped. The RFC claimed some 7,054 German aircraft and balloons either destroyed, sent 'down out of control' or 'driven down'. [6]

Eleven RFC members received the Victoria Cross during the First World War. See below the section "Separate Commonwealth awards" Note that since Initially the RFC did not believe in publicising the victory totals and exploits of their Aces. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy Aircraft during aerial combat Eventually however, public interest and the newspapers' demand for heroes lead to this policy being abandoned, with the feats of aces such as Captain Albert Ball raising morale in the service as well as on the "home front". Albert Ball VC, DSO & Two Bars, MC (14 August 1896 - 7 May 1917 was an English First World War fighter pilot and recipient of

For a short period after amalgamation, pre-RAF ranks such as Lieutenant and Major continued to exist. For this reason some early RAF gravestones show ranks which no longer exist in the modern RAF. A typical example of this is James McCudden's grave. James Thomas Byford McCudden VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MM ( 28 March, 1895 &ndash 9 July, 1918)

Field commanders

The following had command of the RFC in the field:[4]

Chiefs of staff in the field

The following served as chief of staff for the RFC in the field:[5]

Some members of the RFC

Militarily prominent

Otherwise prominent

In fiction

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ British Military Aviation in 1914 - Part 3. James Bigglesworth, better known in flying circles as " Biggles " is a fictional pilot and adventurer created by W " Private Plane " is the fourth episode of Blackadder Goes Forth, the fourth season of the BBC Sitcom Blackadder Blackadder Goes Forth is the fourth and final series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis Hell's Angels is a 1930 American epic War film, directed by Howard Hughes and starring Jean Harlow, Ben Howard Robard Hughes Jr (December 24 1905 – April 5 1976 was an American Aviator, Industrialist, Film producer / director, Philanthropist Jean Harlow ( March 3, &ndash June 7,) was an American Film Actress and Sex symbol of the 1930s The Dawn Patrol is a 1938 American war film a remake of the Pre-Code 1930 film of the same name. Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn ( June 20, 1909 &ndash October 14, 1959) was an Australian Film Actor, most Basil Rathbone, MC (13 June 1892 – 21 July 1967 was a South African-born English Actor most famous for his portrayal of Sherlock James David Graham Niven (1 March 1910 – 29 July 1983 was an English Academy Award -winning Actor probably best known for his role as the punctuality-obsessed "The Last Flight" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone. The Twilight Zone is an American Television series created by Rod Serling. Aces High is a 1976 World War I Feature film starring Malcolm McDowell, Christopher Plummer and Simon Ward, with Screenplay The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Army Air Corps is a component of the British Army, first formed in 1942 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The Royal Canadian Naval Air Service (RCNAS was established in 1918 during the First World War in response to the Royal Canadian Navy 's recommendation that defensive Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Royal Australian Air Force ( RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The Union Defence Force is or was the name of two military organizations South African Defence Force United Arab Emirates Union Defence Force The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa The South African Air Force (SAAF is the Air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa This is a list of aircraft used by the Royal Flying Corps. Airco DH The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located RAF Museum Web Site - Timeline of British Military Aviation History. RAF Museum. Retrieved on 2008-06-03. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering
  2. ^ Boyle, Andrew [1962]. Andrew Philip More Boyle ( 27 May 1919 &ndash 22 April 1991) was a Scottish journalist and biographer "Chapter 6", Trenchard Man of Vision. St. James's Place London: Collins, 157.  
  3. ^ The British Air Services Memorial at St Omer
  4. ^ 'First of the Few', Denis Winter, 1982
  5. ^ 'First of the Few', Denis Winter, 1982
  6. ^ History of the RAF, Bowyer, 1977 (Hamlyn)
Preceded by
Air Battalion		 Royal Flying Corps
1912-1918		 Succeeded by
Royal Air Force
On amalgamation with the RNAS
The Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers was the first flying unit of the British Armed Forces to make use of Heavier-than-air craft The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British
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