What was The R.F.C. Order Of Battle At The Start Of The Somme?

[Old Man]

I thought I had this in a book, but my memory was faulty and the page shows only the fighting squadrons. I would like to have the identities of the Corps observation squadrons, and their numbers on strength as of July 1, 1916, as well as the types flown, if possible.

[Starlight]

There is another thread on the Forum (Great War Forum > Soldiers and Armies of the Great War > Units and Formations) titled "RFC Flight - roughly how many aircraft" in which Dolphin gives everything you want apart from the aircraft type.

If I have got it right, this should be the link:

 

Regards

Steve

[Starlight]

. . . . . and if you go to the http://www.rafweb.org/Menu.htm#Sqn%20Markings site and enter the numbers of each squadron, you will get a fairly good idea as to what types of aircraft each squadron was flying at the start of the Somme.

Regards

Steve

[Dolphin]

Steve

Your memory is better than mine - I'd long forgotten that post.

Old Man

My early post doesn't include the Kite Balloon establishment. Let me know if you'd like it as well as the aeroplanes.

Cheers

Gareth

[Old Man]

Thank you very much, Gentlemen!

That will do me nicely.

To Mr. Dolphin: The balloon information would be nice to have, if it is no trouble.

[Dolphin]

Old Man

1st (Corps) Wing in I Brigade RFC included No 3 Kite Balloon (KB) Squadron, comprising Nos 8 and 10 KB Sections;

2nd (Corps) Wing in II Brigade RFC included No 2 KB Squadron, comprising Nos 2 and 9 KB Sections;

12th (Corps) Wing in III Brigade RFC included No 4 KB Squadron, comprising Nos 5 and 7 KB Sections;

3rd (Corps) Wing in IV Brigade RFC [ie the Brigade allocated to the Fourth Army on the Somme] included No 1 KB Squadron, comprising Nos 1, 3, 11 and 14 KB Sections, as well as Nos 4, 6 and 13 KB Sections specially attached for tactical duty.

I hope that this is useful.

Gareth