RAF Inland Area

RAF Inland Area. It was a major home command of the Royal Air Force established in the aftermath of the First World War. Formed from the remnants of the wartime Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service, its creation was a direct result of the strategic reorganization led by the Air Ministry under Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard. The command was responsible for the aerial defence of the United Kingdom, the training of personnel, and the administrative control of numerous stations across England and Wales until its dissolution in the prelude to the Second World War.

History

The formation was officially established on 1 April 1919, as part of the post-war consolidation that created the Wessex Bombing Area and the Midland Area. Its early years were defined by severe budget cuts during the Ten Year Rule and the Great Depression, which drastically reduced its operational strength. A significant evolution occurred in 1925 when it absorbed the Southern Area, expanding its geographical and functional remit. The command's structure was fundamentally altered by the findings of the 1936 RAF Expansion Scheme, leading to its disbandment on 14 July 1936. Its vital functions were subsequently distributed between the newly formed RAF Bomber Command, RAF Fighter Command, and RAF Training Command, a reorganization deemed essential in response to the growing threat from Nazi Germany.

Organisation

Headquartered at RAF Uxbridge, the command was subdivided into several functional and geographical groups to manage its diverse duties. Key subordinate formations included the Fighting Area, which was responsible for air defence tactics and controlled squadrons equipped with aircraft like the Bristol Bulldog. The Air Defence of Great Britain network, a forerunner to the Dowding system, was a critical component under its purview. Administrative control extended over numerous stations, depots, and training schools spread across its territory, coordinating with other commands such as the Coastal Area and elements of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. This complex structure was designed to integrate home defence with the systematic training of pilots and ground crews.

Commanders

The command was led by a succession of senior officers who would later hold the highest positions within the RAF. Its first commander was Air Vice-Marshal Sir John Salmond, a veteran of the Western Front who later became Chief of the Air Staff. He was succeeded in 1922 by Air Vice-Marshal Sir Edward Ellington, another future Chief of the Air Staff and key figure in inter-war planning. Subsequent commanders included Air Vice-Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, the first commander of RAF Fighter Command, and Air Vice-Marshal Sir Charles Burnett, who later held senior posts in Australia and Canada. The final commander was Air Vice-Marshal Sir Christopher Courtney, an expert in logistics and supply.

Airfields

The command controlled a vast network of airfields that became cornerstones of British military aviation. Major fighter stations included RAF Northolt, RAF Tangmere, and RAF Hornchurch, which would later achieve fame during the Battle of Britain. Key bomber and training bases were RAF Andover, which served as an early headquarters, RAF Upper Heyford, and RAF Bicester. Other significant stations were RAF Biggin Hill, a vital Sector station; RAF Martlesham Heath, home to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment; and RAF Cranwell, the site of the Royal Air Force College. These installations hosted iconic aircraft such as the Gloster Gauntlet, Hawker Hart, and Handley Page Heyford.

Role and responsibilities

Its primary duty was the aerial defence of Great Britain, involving the development of interception tactics and coordination with anti-aircraft units of the British Army. A core function was the operation of a comprehensive training pipeline for aircrew and mechanics through schools like the Central Flying School at RAF Upavon. The command also had a significant bombing and army cooperation role, supporting exercises with the British Expeditionary Force. Furthermore, it was tasked with maintaining operational readiness for mobilization, overseeing the storage and maintenance of reserve aircraft, and conducting major annual exercises like the Air Defence Exercises to test the nation's defensive network.

Category:Royal Air Force commands