No. 10 Group RAF

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

No. 10 Group RAF
Image:No 10 Group RAF Crest.jpg
Group Crest
Active 1918 - 1945
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Type Group Headquarters
Role Defence of London & South East Engand, Fighter Offensive
Part of Fighter Command
Garrison/HQ RAF Box, Somerset, England
Royal Air Force Ensign


No. 10 Group of the Royal Air Force was formed on 1 April 1918 in No. 2 Area. On 8 May of the next year it was transferred to South-Western Area. In 1919 it was transferred to Coastal Area where it remained until it was disbanded on 18 January 1932.

The Group was re-formed on 1 June 1940 within Fighter Command in order for neighbouring No. 11 Group to more efficiently function. Its area of operation was the south-western region of England. Commanded by Air Vice Marshal Sir Quintin Brand, 10 Group supported 11 Group in the Battle of Britain by rotating squadrons, providing additional fighter support when needed, and supplying additional pilots. The Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of 11 Group, Air Vice Marshal Keith Park, had a far warmer relationship with Brand then with the AOC of 12 Group, Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory, who regarded Park with jealousy.[citation needed]

As well as providing support for 11 Group, 10 Group also had some squadrons of aircraft that could not be risked in the Battle of Britain (Gloster Gladiator, Boulton Paul Defiant).

After the Battle of Britain, 10 Group also provided fighter cover missions for convoys approaching and leaving the British Isles. Pilots rotated into 10 Group from either 12 or 13 Group knew that soon they would go over to 11 Group, so the pilots took advantage of their comparatively safer area of operation to hone their skills.

No. 10 Group was reabsorbed into No. 11 Group on 2 May 1945.

Contents

[edit] Commanders

The following officers have been in command of 10 Group:[1]

[edit] 1918 to 1932

[edit] 1940 to 1945

[edit] Notes and references

[edit] See Also