Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Expansion Schemes - pre World War 2

Background

Following the end of World War One, the RAF was drastically reduced in both manpower and equipment. The application of a 'Ten Year Rule" in which the British Government foresaw no war being fought in the next ten years resulted in minimal defence expenditure through the 1920's.  These same budgetary constraints also resulted in many squadrons having to struggle on through the same period with aircraft originally designed during WW1, such as the DH9A and Bristol F2B Fighter.

Each year the the 'Ten Year Rule" was extended until the early 1930's when it at last became apparent that Germany was developing expansionist and aggressive tendencies the British Government and Air Ministry began to develop plans of their own to expand and develop the Royal Air Force.  A number of plans where approved by the cabinet, but each one was often replaced by a revised one before the original could be completed.

The plan approved by the cabinet on 31 July 1934 was as follows: -

“(a) To approve the Interim Report by the Ministerial Committee on Defence dealing with Air Defence (C.P.193(34)) the recommendations of which are summarised in the last paragraph as follows:-

(1)   The provision of 41½ new Squadrons for the Royal Air Force for the following services:-

(a)    33 Squadrons for Home Defence, making, with the existing 42 Squadrons, a total of 75 Squadrons.

(b)    4½ Squadrons for the Fleet Air Arm.

(c)    3 Squadrons for Singapore

(d)    1 Squadron for the Far East, exclusive of Singapore.

(2)   The above forces to be provided with five years from 1934, at a total cost estimated at £20,000,000.  The suggested annual instalments of the programme and their approximate cost are shown in the Appendix.  (See attached table 1B.).

(3)   In order to test the suitability of the Fleet Air Arm to co-operate directly in Home Defence, and of Home Defence units to co-operate with the Fleet Air Arm, in case of necessity, the Admiralty and Air Ministry should concert experiments in training one or two Squadrons form the Fleet Air Arm and the Home Defence Force respectively to undertake the dual role, and should report on the result to the Committee of Imperial Defence within a period not exceeding two years.  In addition, the two Departments should examine the question of interchangeability in all aspects, including that of design of aircraft.

(4)    The decision as to the final destination of the Squadron recommended for the Far East apart from Singapore should be postponed until the Committee of Imperial Defence, advised by the Chiefs of Staff Sub-Committee, has been consulted.

(5)   Our Defence position ought to be kept constantly under review, and the programme recommended should be adjusted form time to time in the light of new factors in the situation.  In particular, the Chancellor of the Exchequer does not blind himself or his successors to find the additional sums mentioned in this Report within five years or in the particular years to which they are allotted.

(b) That the intention of the Cabinet is to provide the aircraft required for the Cruisers of the 1933-37, 1934-35, 1935-36 programme, as well as for the Carrier, and that the dates at which they are to be furnished should be settled by arrangement between the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary of State for Air, subject to the agreement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

(c) That, in considering the final destination of the Squadron to be sent to the Far East apart from Singapore (Conclusion (a) (4) above), the Committee of Imperial Defence should also examine the possibility and desirability of providing landing-grounds at some or all of the ports concerned (Hong Kong, Penang, Ceylon ports, Aden), with a view to a possible scheme of emergency reinforcement, if, when the emergency arises, aircraft can be made available form elsewhere.”

Estimate by the Air Ministry of approximate addition to the 1934 Estimates necessary to provide 41½ new Squadrons by 1938-39

 * The figures of cost do not include additional expenditure falling on Navy Votes through the Fleet Air Arm Grant-in-Aid to make good “deficiencies” for existing aircraft carriers and other ships – 51 aircraft, of which 23 are being provided in 1934.  This expenditure would be approximately. 

From this point the expansion plans took the form of a number of schemes which were constantly being revised in the light of developments around the world as follows: -

CID = Committee for Imperial Defence, HDF = Home Defence Force, FLS = Front Line Strength

The breakdown of type for each scheme is given below: -

*Included 10 squadrons for allocation to the Field Force (BEF)

**Rising to 40 squadrons by 1942 (504 aircraft)

Personnel Measures required to meet Expansion Programme

1. The following are the special measures which will be taken to meet increased requirements of personnel consequent upon the decision of HM Government to expand the Air Force.

   1. Increased entry of short service officers and airmen pilots - An increase will be made in the entry of short service officers and additional airmen will he selected for training as airman pilots, No 2 FTS, Digby will re-open in October.

   2. Increased entry into medium service - The entry into medium service will be increased and additional appointments to medium service are being offered by letter to short service officers whose names were included in the recommendations forwarded on 1st September last.

   3. Increase in the establishment of permanent officers -  Strictly limited increase will gradually be effected in the strength of officers in the general duties branch holding permanent commissions.  The limits of this increase will be fixed by the capacity of the Service to provide a satisfactory career for officers entered on permanent commissions.

   4. Increased intake of apprentices into Halton and Cranwell - Increases will be made in the number of boys entered as aircraft apprentices.  The number of boys to be entered as aircraft apprentices in August at No 1 School of Technical Training, Halton, is being increased by 100.

   5. Extensions of service, of non-apprentice tradesmen.

      1. Fitters and riggers - Airmen of these trades serving on engagements for less than 9 years' regular service will he considered for extension to that period, provided that their service is in all respects satisfactory.

      2. Wireless operators and armourers - Airmen of these trades due for discharge before 1st April 1936, will be considered for an extension of service up to a total of 10 years' regular service provided that their service is in all respects satisfactory.

   6. Extension of service of ex-apprentice tradesmen to 14 years' service - Ex-apprentice airmen in Group I trades who are due for discharge on completion of 12 years' service before 1st April 1936, will be considered for extension of service to 14 years' regular service, followed by 4 years' reserve service on the same general conditions as laid down in AMO A20/33 for ex-apprentice tradesmen who enlist, for 4 years' reserve service.  On transfer to the reserve, however, on completion of the additional 2 years' regular service, they will receive a gratuity of £175 in lieu of the special gratuity of £100 provided for in that order.

   7. Employment of ex-airmen in fitter and rigger vacancies - An anticipated temporary shortage of fitters and riggers in home units before the measures explained above are fully operative will be made good by the appointment of ex-airmen in a civilian capacity under instructions which will be issued in due course.

2. Commanding Officers will forward so as to reach the Officer i/c Records not later than 1st October 1934, lists of all airmen under their command who are desirous of extending their service under headings (v) and (vi) and will state, in each case, whether extension is recommended.

3. The above are the steps of a special character which are foreseen to be required.  The other action needed will, it is anticipated, follow the normal procedure for the adjustment from time to time of strength to requirements.

Source - Air Ministry Order A190/1934 dated 27 July 1934.

This page was last updated on 17/03/25^©

[Top of Page]