RFC/RAF Home Defense and RNAS Squadrons

What were the names, bases, and equipment of the Home defense squadrons and RNAS squadrons stationed in the south of England, including seaplane units between late 1916-Nov 1918??Also, are there any books which list these units? ???

[Darryl]

RAF Squadrons....Jefford......Airlife

The Air Defence of Britain 1914-1918....Cole & Chesman...Putnam

Royal Navy Aircraft Serials and Units 1911-1919....Sturtivant & Page....Air Britain

They should give you most of what you need.

There is another called The First Battle Of Britain, which I admit I do not have but should.

regards

Darryl

[stephen]

I've got more on this and can't find it at the moment. But...

1917:
RFC 56 with SE 5's, Bekesbourne, June 21-July 6
RFC 66 with Pups, Calais, June 21-July 6
RFC 46 with Pups, Sutton's Farm (Lympne), July 9-August 30

That's a start.

[MikeW]

I would recommend you get a copy of "The Air defence Of Britain 1914-18" by Cole and Cheesman.

Frank Cheesman told me he spent over 14 years on the research for this book, and I believe him. It is a very thorough treatise. My copy cost £25.00, found on Abebooks.com and I believe that it was brand new and never previously owned.

There are too many RNAS and RFC stations to list here, even if restricted to the south of England.

One fascinating aspect of home defence was that the Belgian coast based RNAS squadrons (naval 4, naval 9 ect.) caused a lot of damage to raiders, the RNAS scout pilots often having to land in England because they ran out of petrol and couldn't get back to Belgium!

Mike

UK Home Defence units and airfields? The Cole and Cheeseman book is THE one to read.

Also of especial interest to 'nautics' is 'Royal Naval Air Service 1912-1918' by Brad King; 1997, Hikoki Publications, 16 Newport Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4PB, Great Britain, ISBN 0-9519899-5-2. Just over A4-size, and splendid pictures; the only modern single-volume history of the RNAS, and there's a good-sized section on 'Bombers and Bombing - the Royal Navy against the Zeppelins'. King's book includes pictures and text describing the attack on the Zeppelin works at Friedrichshafen by Avro 504s on 21 November 1914; seems the Germans sometimes had need of HD themselves, hoho.

BTW, aerial Home Defence was concentrated in the east and south-east of England, rather less along the south coast. Hostile Gothas 'n' gasbags generally tended to come in over the North Sea.

Cheers!

(8:¬)}

Simba.