RAF Balloon Command

Balloon Command

Command Crest
Active 1 November 1938–February 1945
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Motto Vi Et Ictu
(Latin: By Force and Impact)[1].
Engagements World War II

Balloon Command was the Royal Air Force command which was responsible for controlling all the United Kingdom-based barrage balloon units during World War II.

Contents

History

Balloon Command was formed on 1 November 1938 at RAF Stanmore Park in Middlesex.[2] It consisted of a headquarters and several groups. Balloon Command was disbanded in February 1945.[2]

Commanders

The following officers were in command:[2]

Organization

During World War II, the command had the following organization:

The command consisted of five groups[3] which were in turn subdivided into balloon centres (equivalent to wings of heavier-than-air aircraft). The organization was as follows:

The dates indicated give the periods for which each group existed as part of Balloon Command. No. 30 and 31 groups also existed in World War I as part of different formations.

The balloon centres in turn consisted of balloon squadrons which were numbered from 900 to 994.

See also

References

  1. ^ Leslie Gilbert Pine: "A Dictionary of Mottoes", 1983, Routledge, ISBN 0-710-09339-X
  2. ^ a b c Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - RAF Home Commands formed between 1936 - 1938
  3. ^ Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Groups 30 - 48
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