Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

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Welcome to the Member's Area

Thank you for registering as a member of RAFWEB, your contributions will facilitate further research and assist in the continued availability of this valuable resource.

This area is provided for those people who want to delve deeper into the lesser known units of the RAF and will be found very useful by those who are researching the careers of relatives from the records provided by the RAF Disclosures, RAF Cranwell.  This area will continue to grow and hopefully become the premier site for research into matters pertaining to the RAF.

To continue viewing the site, just use the standard navigation buttons and menus, but when you attempt to access a page in the Member's Area, you will now have access, if you encounter any problems, please contact me using the link below: -

Member's can e-mail the webmaster here

 

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[Orders of Battle | RAF Service Records | RAF Casualties | Cranwell Graduation Lists | Unit Personnel and Movements | Air Ministry Distribution of Duties | Unit Histories | Aircraft Serials | Personnel | Vehicles | Kings Regulations | Airfields | Maps | Expansion Schemes | Change Password]

Orders of Battle

Links in Blue indicate ORBATs based on Air Force Lists and Confidential Air Force Lists, whilst links in Green indicates ORBATs based on SD161s

From 1961 SD161 was issued quarterly instead of monthly.

Listings of Home units controlled by: -

Commands (Home & European)

 

Command Months available
Air Defence of Great Britain
Inland Area
Coastal Area
RAF Cranwell
RAF Halton
Special Reserve and Auxiliary Air Force
Training Command
Bomber Command
Fighter Command
Coastal Command
Maintenance Command
Balloon Command
Reserve Command
Advance Air Striking Force
RAF Component, BEF
British Air Forces in France
Flying Training Command
Technical Training Command
RAF in Northern Ireland
Army Co-operation Command
Ferry Command
Transport Command
Home Command
Signals Command
Allied Expeditionary Air Force
SHAEF

2nd Tactical Air Force
British Air Forces of Occupation

RAF Germany (2nd TAF)

Numbered Groups (Home & European)

Group Months available
No 1 Group
No 2 Group
No 3 Group
No 4 Group
No 5 Group
No 6 Group
No 7 Group
No 8 Group
No 9 Group
No 10 Group
No 11 (Irish) Group
No 11 Group
No 11 (Northern) Sector
  • ...................................................| Apr 1963 | ..................................| Jul 1963 | ..................................| Oct 1963 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1964 | ..................................| Apr 1964 | ..................................| Jul 1964 | ..................................| Oct 1964 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1965 | ..................................| Apr 1965 | ..................................| Jul 1965 | ..................................| Oct 1965 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1966 | ..................................| Disbanded
No 12 Group
No 12 (East Anglian) Sector
  • ...................................................| Apr 1963 | ..................................| Jul 1963 | ..................................| Oct 1963 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1964 | ..................................| Apr 1964 | ..................................| Jul 1964 | ..................................| Oct 1964 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1965 | ..................................| Apr 1965 | ..................................| Jul 1965 | ..................................| Oct 1965 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1966 | ..................................| Disbanded
No 13 Group
No 13 (Scottish) Sector
  • ...................................................| Apr 1963 | ..................................| Jul 1963 | ..................................| Oct 1963 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1964 | ..................................| Apr 1964 | ..................................| Jul 1964 | ..................................| Oct 1964 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1965 | ..................................| Apr 1965 | ..................................| Disbanded
No 14 Group
No 15 Group
No 16 Group
No 17 Group
No 18 Group
No 19 Group
No 20 Group
No 21 Group
No 22 Group
No 23 Group
No 24 Group
No 25 Group
No 26 Group
No 27 Group
No 28 Group
No 29 Group
No 30 Group
No 31 Group
No 32 Group
No 33 Group
No 34 Group
No 38 Group
No 40 Group
No 41 Group
No 42 Group
No 43 Group
No 44 Group
No 45 Group
No 46 Group
No 46 Group (Rear)
No 47 Group
No 48 Group
No 50 Group
No 51 Group
No 54 Group
No 60 Group
No 61 Group
No 62 Group
No 63 Group
No 64 Group
No 65 Group
No 66 Group
No 67 Group
No 70 Group
No 71 Group
No 72 Group
No 81 Group
No 82 Group
No 83 Group
No 84 Group
No 85 Group
No 87 Group
No 88 Group
No 90 Group
No 91 Group
No 92 Group
No 93 Group
No 100 Group
No 106 Group
No 200 Group
No 216 Group
No 229 Group
No 247 Group

Named Group status units (Home & European)

Unit Months available
RAF Staff aboard RN Aircraft Carriers Apr 1920 | from June onwards see No 29 Group
Wessex Bombing Area
Western Area
Central Area
Fighting Area
(No 1) Air Defence Group
Air Armament School/Armament Group
RAF Cranwell

RAF College, Cranwell
RAF Manby

RAF Flying College, Manby

RAF College of Air Warfare
Central Flying School, Little Rissington
HQ Air Cadets
HQ Command and Staff Training
  • ...................................................| Apr 1966 | ..................................| Jul 1966 | ..................................| Oct 1966 | .................................. |
RAF Ireland
RAF Iceland
RAF Gibraltar

AHQ Gibraltar

RAF Gibraltar
RAF Northern Ireland (Coastal Command)
Azores
Reserve Command units in RAFNI
Central Photographic Establishment
Central Reconnaissance Establishment
  • .................................................. | Apr 1963 | ..................................| Jul 1963 | ..................................| Oct 1963 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1964 | ..................................| Apr 1964 | ..................................| Jul 1964 | ..................................| Oct 1964 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1965 | ..................................| Apr 1965 | ..................................| Jul 1965 | ..................................| Oct 1965 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1966 | ..................................| Apr 1966 | ..................................| Jul 1966 | ..................................| Oct 1966 | .................................. |
RAF Hullavington
RAF Shawbury
RAF Technical College
RAF Record Office
Maritime HQ
Air Traffic Service HQ

HQ Military Air Traffic Control Operations

HQ Military Air Traffic Operations
HQ 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force

NATO Units (RAF Elements), 2nd TAF

Wings (Home & European)

Wing Months available
No 7 Wing
No 8 Wing
No 11 (Irish) Wing
No 16 Wing
No 32 Wing
No 33 Wing
No 34 Wing
No 35 Wing
No 36 Wing
No 37 Wing
No 38 Wing
No 39 Wing
No 45 Wing
No 53 Wing
No 54 Wing
No 55 Wing
No 56 Wing
No 57 Wing
No 70 (Signals) Wing
No 71 (Signals) Wing
No 72 (Signals) Wing
No 73 (Signals) Wing
No 74 (Signals) Wing
No 75 (Signals) Wing
No 76 (Signals) Wing
No 77 (Signals) Wing
No 78 (Signals) Wing
No 79 (Signals) Wing
No 80 Wing
No 85 Wing
No 103 Wing
No 107 Wing
No 110 Wing
No 111 Wing
No 114 Wing
No 116 Wing
No 301 Wing
No 302 Wing
Balloon Wing

Other Home and European units

Unit Months available
Medical Units
Home units in the process of disbandment
1st Bombardment Wing, RAF Substitution Unit
2nd Bombardment Wing, RAF Substitution Unit
3rd Bombardment Wing, RAF Substitution Unit
4th Bombardment Wing, RAF Substitution Unit
IX Bomber Command, RAF Substitution Unit
IX Troop Carrier Command, Substitution Unit
IX Fighter Command Substitution Unit
ADGB Units in RAFNI
Fighter Command Units in RAFNI
ASR Units
Air Ministry
Observer Corps/Royal Observer Corps
RAF Regiment Wings/Squadrons (Home & BAFO)
RAF/RAuxAF Regiment and RAF Levies (All)
RAF Embarkation Units

Movements Units (Embarkation)
Stations transferred to the USAAF
USAF Units in the UK
Location of NATO Units in the UK
  • ............................................................................................................................................................| Oct 1962 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1963 | ..................................| Apr 1963 | ..................................| Jul 1963 | ..................................| Oct 1963 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1964 | ..................................| Apr 1964 | ..................................| Jul 1964 | ..................................| Oct 1964 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1965 | ..................................| Apr 1965 | ..................................| Jul 1965 | ..................................| Oct 1965 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1966 | ..................................| Apr 1966 | ..................................| Jul 1966 | ..................................| Oct 1966 | .................................. |
Works Units (Home)
Bomb Disposal Units
Provost Organisation (Home)
Auxiliary Air Force squadrons

(reformed in Fighter Command on a Cadre basis)
Bomber Command, Inactive Stations
Fighter Command, Inactive Stations
Coastal Command, Inactive Stations
Transport Command, Inactive Stations
Flying Training Command, Inactive Stations
Technical Training Command, Inactive Stations
Maintenance Command, Inactive Stations
Reserve Command, Inactive Stations
Home Command, Inactive Stations
No 90 Group/Signals Command, Inactive Stations
Air Cadet Gliding Schools
  • ...................................................| Apr 1965 | ..................................| Jul 1965 | ..................................| Oct 1965 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1966 | ..................................| Apr 1966 | ..................................| Jul 1966 | ..................................| Oct 1966 | .................................. |

Listings of Overseas units controlled by: -

Commands (including general areas)

Europe 1918 - 1926

Command Months available
RAF in the Field
Independent Units
RAF Rhine

Middle East, Mediterranean, Africa and Iraq

Command Months available
Middle East Area

RAF Middle East

Middle East Command
North-West African

Mediterranean Allied Air Force

North-West African

Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force
North-West African

Mediterranean Allied Strategical Air Force
North-West African

Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force

Mediterranean Costal Air Force
North-West African Air Service Command
North-West African/

Mediterranean Allied Photographic Reconnaissance Wing
Mediterranean and Middle East
Middle East Air Force

British Forces Middle East

Middle East Command
Near East Command
  • ...................................................| Apr 1961 | ..................................| Jul 1961 | ..................................| Oct 1961 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1962 | ..................................| Apr 1962 | ..................................| Jul 1962 | ..................................| not listed

Near East Air Force
  • ...................................................| Apr 1961 | ..................................| Jul 1961 | ..................................| Oct 1961 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1962 | ..................................| Apr 1962 | ..................................| Jul 1962 | ..................................| Oct 1962 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1963 | ..................................| Apr 1963 | ..................................| Jul 1963 | ..................................| Oct 1963 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1964 | ..................................| Apr 1964 | ..................................| Jul 1964 | ..................................| Oct 1964 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1965 | ..................................| Apr 1965 | ..................................| Jul 1965 | ..................................| Oct 1965 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1966 | ..................................| Apr 1966 | ..................................| Jul 1966 | ..................................| Oct 1966 | .................................. |
Air Forces Middle East
  • ...................................................| Apr 1961 | ..................................| Jul 1961 | ..................................| Oct 1961 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1962 | ..................................| Apr 1962 | ..................................| Jul 1962 | ..................................| Oct 1962 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1963 | ..................................| Apr 1963 | ..................................| Jul 1963 | ..................................| Oct 1963 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1964 | ..................................| Apr 1964 | ..................................| Jul 1964 | ..................................| Oct 1964 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1965 | ..................................| Apr 1965 | ..................................| Jul 1965 | ..................................| Oct 1965 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1966 | ..................................| Apr 1966 | ..................................| Jul 1966 | ..................................| Oct 1966 | .................................. |
Palestine Command

RAF in Transjordan and Palestine

Palestine and Transjordan Command

British Forces in Palestine and Transjordan
RAF Trans-Jordania/RAF Transjordan
AHQ Levant

RAF Levant
Cyprus
AHQ Cyprus

RAF Cyprus
Syria
RAF Mediterranean
Aden Command

HQ British Forces in Aden

British Forces Arabian Peninsula

Air Forces Arabian Peninsula
Western Desert Air Force

Desert Air Force

Egypt
Eastern Mediterranean
RAF Iraq

Iraq Command

British Forces in Iraq

AHQ Iraq
AHQ Iraq and Persia
Sudan and Eritrea
East Africa
AHQ Malta

RAF Malta
West Africa
Eastern Air Command, North Africa
AHQ Greece

RAF Mission/Delegation to Greece
Balkan Air Force
Air Division, Allied Commission (Austria)

AHQ Austria
AHQ RAF Italy
HQ SAAF

 

India and Far East

Command Months available
RAF India/Air Forces in India
AHQ India
RAF China
RAF Shanghai
RAF Far East
Air Command South-East Asia
Air Command Far East
Far East Command
  • Jan 1963 | ..................................| Apr 1963 | ..................................| Jul 1963 | ..................................| Oct 1963 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1964 | ..................................| Apr 1964 | ..................................| Jul 1964 | ..................................| Oct 1964 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1965 | ..................................| Apr 1965 | ..................................| Jul 1965 | ..................................| Oct 1965 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1966 | ..................................| Apr 1966 | ..................................| Jul 1966 | ..................................| Oct 1966 | .................................. |
Far East Air Force
Eastern Air Command (SEA)
3rd Tactical Air Force
HQ Base Air Forces South East Asia
AHQ Bengal
AHQ Burma
RAF Hong Kong
AHQ Ceylon

RAF Ceylon
AHQ Malaya

RAF Malaya
AHQ Singapore

RAF Singapore
AHQ French Indo-China
AHQ Siam
AHQ Netherlands East Indies
BC Air Forces of Occupation (Japan)

Numbered Groups (Overseas)

Group Months available

No 1 (Indian ) Wing

No 1 (Indian) Group

No 2 (Indian) Wing

No 2 (Indian) Group

No 3 (Indian) Group

No 4 (Indian) Group
No 45 Group
No 201 Group
No 203 Group
No 205 Group
No 206 Group
No 207 Group
No 209 Group
No 211 Group
No 212 Group
No 213 Group
No 214 Group
No 215 Group
No 216 Group
No 218 Group
No 219 Group
No 221 Group
No 222 Group
No 223 Group
No 224 Group
No 225 Group
No 226 Group
No 227 Group
No 228 Group
No 229 Group
No 230 Group
No 231 Group
No 232 Group
No 242 Group
No 238 Group
No 300 Group

Group Status Units (Overseas)

Unit Months available
Egyptian Group
Indian Group
Mediterranean Group
Mesopotamia Group
Palestine Group

Other Overseas Units/Elements

Group Months available
No 31 Wing
No 52 Wing
No 500 Wing
Air Formation Signals (NWAAF/MAAF)
Air Formation Signals (MEC, Med/ME & MEAF)
Air Formation Signals (FEAF)
Air Formation Signals - 2nd TAF/RAF Germany
Constantinople Wing
Mesopotamia Wing
Macedonia, Turkey and Trans-Caucasia
Palestine Wing
South Russia
Survey Parties
RAF Schools in Canada
RAF Schools in South Africa
RAF Schools in Southern Rhodesia

RAF Units in Southern Rhodesia (ATW/RATG)
RAF Embarkation Units
Units Forming in Middle East Command
Units in Russia
USAAF Operational Units under Middle East Command
West Indies
Overseas units in the process of disbandment
Units in Australia
Units in Canada
Units in Central Africa
Units in France
Units in Muscat & Oman
  • Jan 1963 | ..................................| Apr 1963 | ..................................| Jul 1963 | ..................................| Oct 1963 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1964 | ..................................| Apr 1964 | ..................................| Jul 1964 | ..................................| Oct 1964 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1965 | ..................................| Apr 1965 | ..................................| Jul 1965 | ..................................| Oct 1965 | .................................. |
  • Jan 1966 | ..................................| Apr 1966 | ..................................| Jul 1966 | ..................................| Oct 1966 | .................................. |
Units in New Zealand
Units in South Africa
Units in the United  States of America
HQ Air Forces, Western Europe
HQ Allied Air Forces, Central Europe
HQ, RAF Mauripur, India
RAF Levies (Iraq)
Aden Protectorate Levies
RAF Regiment (Malaya)
Transport Wing MEAF

Transport Force MEAF

RAF Service Records

RAF Cranwell Graduation Lists

RAF Casualties

Unit Personnel, equipment and locations 1920 - 1970

Air Ministry

Department Months/Year available
All Departments 1918 | Feb - Jun 1919 | Jul - Dec 1919 | 1920-1924 |1925-1929 | 1930-1933 | 1934- 1936 | Jul 1937 | Jul 1938 | Jan 1939 | Sep 1939 | Dec 1939 | Apr 1940 | 
Departmental Chart Aug 1940 | Jul 1941 | Jul 1942 | Jul 1943 | Jul 1944 | Jul 1945 |
Chief of the Air Staff Aug 1940 | Jul 1941 | Jul 1942 | Jul 1943 | Jul 1944 | Jul 1945 | Apr 1946 | Jul 1947 | Jul 1948 | Apr - Dec 1949 | 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 |
Air Member for Personnel | Aug 1940 | Jul 1941 | Jul 1942 | Jul 1943 | Jul 1944 | Jul 1945 | Apr 1946 | Jul 1947 | Jul 1948 | Apr - Dec 1949 | 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 
Air Member for Supply and Organisation | Aug 1940 | Jul 1941 | Jul 1942 | Jul 1943 | Jul 1944 | Jul 1945 | Apr 1946 | Jul 1947 | Jul 1948 | Apr - Dec 1949 | 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 |
Air Member for Training | Aug 1940 | Jul 1941 | Jul 1942 | Jul 1943 | Jul 1944 | Jul 1945 | Apr 1946 |
Air Member for Technical Services | Jul 1947 | Jul 1948 | Apr - Dec 1949 | 1950 |
Other Departments | Aug 1940 | Jul 1941 | Jul 1942 | Jul 1943 | Jul 1944 | Jul 1945 | Apr 1946 | Jul 1947 | Jul 1948 | Apr - Dec 1949 | 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 |1963 |
Inspector-General of the RAF  
Special Duties List (1920-1939) Alphabetical by surname | by date of appointment | by rank |

 

Ministry of Defence/Air Force Board

Department Months/Year available
Defence Staff 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 |1969 - not yet available | 1970 | 1971-1979 - not yet available | 1980-1989 - not yet available | 1990-1999 - not yet available | 2000-2008 - not yet available
Chief of the Air Staff 1964 | 1965  | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 - not yet available | 1970 | 1971-1979 - not yet available | 1980-1989 - not yet available | 1990-1999 - not yet available | 2000-2008 - not yet available
Air Member for Personnel 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 - not yet available | 1970 | 1971-1979 - not yet available | 1980-1989 - not yet available | 1990-1999 - not yet available | 2000-2008 - not yet available
Air Member for Supply and Organisation 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 - not yet available | 1970 | 1971-1979 - not yet available | 1980-1989 - not yet available | 1990-1999 - not yet available | 2000-2008 - not yet available
Other Departments 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 - not yet available | 1970 | 1971-1979 - not yet available | 1980-1989 - not yet available | 1990-1999 - not yet available | 2000-2008 - not yet available

Air Ministry Distribution of Duties

Year(s) Departments available
1917 Air Board
Jun 1918

Air Ministry | Dept of Secretary of State |Dept of CAS | Dept of MGP | Dept of CGE | Dept of DDO | Dept of PUS | Dept of DGL | Dept of AWB | Dept of MA |
Oct 1918

Secretary of State |Dept of Secretary of the Air Council | Dept of PUS | Dept of CAS | Dept of MGP | Dept of CGE | Dept of CTD | Dept of DIG | Dept of AWB | Dept of DGL |
1919 Secretary of State | Dept of Secretary of the Air Council | Dept of CAS | Dept of CGCA | Dept of DGSR |
1924 Air Council | Secretary of State for Air | Under Secretary of State for Air | Directorate of Civil Aviation | Dept of CAS | Dept of AMP | Dept of AMSR |
1925 Air Council | Secretary of State for Air | Under Secretary of State for Air | Directorate of Civil Aviation | Dept of CAS | Dept of AMP | Dept of AMSR |
1939 Dept of PUS | Dept of CAS | Dept of AMP | Dept of AMDP |
1940 Air Ministry | Dept of CAS | Dept of AMP | Dept of AMSO | Dept of AMT | Dept of DGCA | Miscellaneous |
1944 - 1945

 

RAF Element of Joint Force/Multi-national Commands

Commands (including Air HQs)

Groups

Wings

Bases

Stations

Those Stations shown above without hyperlinks are those opened after 1940, for which records are held but not yet added.  If you are looking for information from these ORBs, feel free to contact me directly.

Squadrons

Those Squadrons shown above without hyperlinks are those formed after 1940/1941, for which records are held but not yet added.  If you are looking for information from these ORBs, feel free to contact me directly.

Squadron Operations

Flights

Operational Training Units

Colleges and Schools

 

Depots, Maintenance Units and Stores

Units of the Fleet Air Arm

Experimental/Research Establishments

Miscellaneous Units (Non-Flying)

 

Miscellaneous Flying Units

Unit Histories

Flights

 

Maintenance and Logistics Units etc

 

Flying Training Units

Ground Training Units

Radar and Signals Units

Miscellaneous Units

Wings

 

Aircraft allocated to Units

Personnel, Manning and Training

Personnel

Organisation and Establishments of Training Units

Course (Flying and Ground) Details: 1918 - 1939

Course (Ground) Details: 1940 onwards

 

RAF MT Vehicles

Mechanical Transport

RAF Plant Equipment

King's Regulations

 

Airfield Maps and unit listings

Home Airfields and non Station status locations

Overseas Airfields and non Station status locations

Maps and Organisational Charts

Home Command Boundaries

Fighter Command Group Boundaries

Bomber Command Group dispositions

Coastal Command Group Boundaries

Training Airfields

Organisational Charts

RAF Expansion Schemes

[Orders of Battle | RAF Service Records | RAF Casualties | Cranwell Graduation Lists | Unit Personnel and Movements | Air Ministry Distribution of Duties | Unit Histories | Aircraft Serials | Personnel | Vehicles | Kings Regulations | Airfields | Maps | Expansion Schemes | Change Password]

This page was last updated on 18/03/25©

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