RAF Army Co-operation Command

RAF Army Co-operation Command
Unit name	Army Co-operation Command
Caption	The Royal Air Force roundel used by the command.
Dates	1 December 1940 – 1 June 1943
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Command
Role	Tactical reconnaissance and army support
Garrison	RAF Bentley Priory
Notable commanders	Sir Arthur Barratt

RAF Army Co-operation Command was a specialized formation within the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Established to improve air support for the British Army, it focused on the critical tasks of tactical reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and direct battlefield co-operation. The command was born from the hard lessons of the Battle of France and the Dunkirk evacuation, where poor coordination between air and ground forces had been a significant weakness. It was disbanded in 1943 as its functions were absorbed into the new RAF Second Tactical Air Force.

Formation and early history

The command was officially formed on 1 December 1940, with its headquarters at RAF Bentley Priory. Its creation was a direct response to the failures in joint operations exposed during the German invasion of France and the subsequent Battle of Britain. The Air Ministry appointed Air Marshal Sir Arthur Barratt, who had commanded the RAF component of the British Expeditionary Force, as its first commander. Initially, it controlled existing Army Co-operation squadrons that were equipped with outdated aircraft like the Westland Lysander and Bristol Blenheim, which had proven vulnerable during the Battle of France.

Role and responsibilities

Its primary mission was to develop doctrine, tactics, and training for all aspects of air support to the British Army. This encompassed photographic reconnaissance to inform generals like Bernard Montgomery, visual reconnaissance for corps and division commanders, and directing Royal Artillery fire. A key responsibility was to act as the RAF's liaison with the War Office and army formations, ensuring seamless planning for combined operations. The command also pioneered techniques for airborne operations, working closely with the Parachute Regiment and the Glider Pilot Regiment.

Aircraft and squadrons

Initially equipped with obsolete types, the command rapidly sought more capable aircraft. The Curtiss Tomahawk and later the North American Mustang provided a potent reconnaissance platform, while the Hawker Hurricane was adapted for tactical reconnaissance duties. Key operational squadrons included No. 2 Squadron, No. 4 Squadron, and No. 26 Squadron. The command also trialed specialized aircraft like the Taylorcraft Auster for Air observation post duties and utilized the Supermarine Spitfire for high-speed, low-level reconnaissance missions over hostile territory such as the English Channel.

Major operations and campaigns

While primarily a training and development organization, its squadrons saw extensive action. They conducted perilous reconnaissance sorties over Northern France in preparation for raids like the Dieppe Raid in 1942, where losses were severe. Squadrons provided vital support during the Madagascar campaign in 1942. Its most significant contribution was in preparing the aerial component for Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French North Africa, where its developed tactics for army support were first tested on a large scale in conjunction with the First Army.

Commanders and organisation

The only commander was Air Marshal Sir Arthur Barratt, who led from its inception until its dissolution. The command was organized into groups, most notably No. 70 Group RAF, which was responsible for operational training and development units. It worked in tandem with the Army Co-operation Development Unit at RAF Old Sarum, which tested new equipment and tactics. The structure was designed to be fluid, directly interfacing with army headquarters like the Home Forces and later the Eighth Army.

Disbandment and legacy

The command was disbanded on 1 June 1943. Its dissolution was not a failure but a consolidation; its functions and seasoned personnel formed the core of the newly established RAF Second Tactical Air Force, which would provide superb air support during the Normandy landings and the subsequent Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine. The doctrines and procedures refined, particularly in photo-reconnaissance and Close air support, directly influenced the success of Allied air power in the campaigns in Western Europe and were studied by post-war organizations like NATO.

Category:Royal Air Force commands