Combats in the Air Reports

[Michael Molkentin]

Does anyone here have any experience with RFC squadron war diaries?

Did squadrons usually file "combats in the air" reports in the war diary appendicies, or were they filed (and subsequently archived) in a completely seperate file?

Thank you.

[MikeW]

Michael,

are you asking if you can find CITARS in War Diaries at the National Archives or are you asking how CITARS were filed in WW1?

If it's the former, You can find them all over the place - there are separate files of CITARS, located by squadron, there are often CITARS interleaved in Squadron Daily Operations Records, and there are often CITARS filed with War Diarys. All are happy hunting grounds!

[Michael Molkentin]

Michael,

are you asking if you can find CITARS in War Diaries at the National Archives or are you asking how CITARS were filed in WW1?

If it's the former, You can find them all over the place - there are separate files of CITARS, located by squadron, there are often CITARS interleaved in Squadron Daily Operations Records, and there are often CITARS filed with War Diarys. All are happy hunting grounds!

Hi Mike,

Thanks. I was indeed asking the former- apologies for my ambiguity.

What is the difference between Squadron Daily Operations Records and the War Diary? I previously understood that the former was bound together to form the latter and submitted to a central body each month.

[MikeW]

What is the difference between Squadron Daily Operations Records and the War Diary?

Each squadron produced the Daily Ops Reports - which usually records every flight made that day. A summary of every notable encounter, any claims, any injuries, accidents, etc. Usually a treasure trove of detail.

The War Diary was produced by Wings and Brigade. So, a Wing would have several squadrons and Kite Balloon sections. The Wing War diary would usually (in the case of the one's I've looked at) produce a much less detailed summary of ops of the Squadrons' within the Wing. Also Kite ballon stuff. The Brigade would have several Wings and again summarise everthing to the point of being useless! Often you can't tell which squadrons are being mentioned.

I only research RNAS history, so delving into RFC Wing and Brigade War Diaries only takes place when I have an RNAS squadron seconded to the RFC. It may well be that many of the other War Diaries that I have not had to investigate are different and may provide more or less information.

Mike