RAF Palestine and Transjordan

RAF Palestine and Transjordan
Unit name	RAF Palestine and Transjordan
Dates	1 April 1922 – 1 August 1945
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Command
Role	Air policing, colonial security, and regional defence
Garrison	RAF Ramleh
Notable commanders	Arthur Longmore, William Mitchell, Richard Peirse

RAF Palestine and Transjordan was a Royal Air Force command established to maintain British imperial control and security across the Mandate for Palestine and the Emirate of Transjordan. It was a key instrument of air control policy in the volatile post-war Middle East, operating from 1922 until the end of the Second World War. The command played a central role in suppressing the Arab revolt, supporting Allied campaigns during the war, and upholding the British Mandate until its responsibilities were transferred.

Formation and early history

The command was formed on 1 April 1922 from the earlier Middle East Command, reflecting the strategic importance of the newly created mandates following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Its establishment was part of a broader Colonial Office and War Office strategy to use cost-effective air power for imperial policing, a doctrine successfully tested in regions like British Somaliland and Mesopotamia. Initial headquarters were at RAF Ramleh, near Jerusalem, placing it at the heart of the administratively complex Mandatory Palestine. Early operations focused on demonstrating aerial presence, conducting reconnaissance flights over the Negev and Jordan Valley, and supporting the political authority of the High Commissioner of Palestine.

Interwar period and expansion

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the command’s primary mission evolved into classic air control, involving the surveillance of tribal areas and quick-reaction strikes. Its infrastructure expanded with improved airfields at locations like RAF Amman and RAF Aqir. The command’s most significant test came with the outbreak of the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine, where it conducted extensive aerial reconnaissance, targeted bombing of rebel positions, and provided direct air support for British Army units and the Palestine Police Force. These operations, often conducted in coordination with Royal Navy vessels patrolling the coast, were pivotal in quelling the uprising and underscored the command's role as the principal military arm of the mandate administration.

Second World War

With the outbreak of the Second World War, the command’s focus shifted from internal security to regional defence and support for major Allied campaigns. It became a vital component of RAF Middle East Command, protecting the strategic eastern flank of the Mediterranean and the vital Suez Canal. Its squadrons flew defensive patrols, escorted convoys through the eastern Mediterranean, and participated in the Syria–Lebanon campaign against Vichy French forces. Furthermore, it provided critical logistical and reconnaissance support for the Western Desert campaign and the Allied invasion of Sicily, serving as a rear-area and training hub for Allied air forces.

Post-war operations and the end of the mandate

Following the end of hostilities, the command briefly returned to its pre-war policing role amidst increasing tension between the Jewish community and Arab leadership, and the activities of Jewish paramilitary groups like the Irgun and Lehi. However, as the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine was debated and the British government prepared to terminate the mandate, the command's utility waned. RAF Palestine and Transjordan was officially disbanded on 1 August 1945, with its remaining assets and responsibilities absorbed by the newly formed AHQ Levant and later, during the final chaotic months of the mandate, by British Forces in Palestine.

Aircraft and units

The command operated a wide variety of aircraft throughout its existence, reflecting changing technological and tactical needs. Early air policing was conducted with biplanes like the Bristol F.2 Fighter and the de Havilland DH.9A. The interwar period saw the introduction of the Westland Wapiti and Hawker Hart for army cooperation and light bombing. During the Second World War, it operated more modern types including the Hawker Hurricane for fighter duties, the Bristol Blenheim and Martin Baltimore for bombing, and the Vickers Wellington for maritime patrol. Notable squadrons that served under its control included No. 6, No. 14, and No. 208 Squadron RAF.

Commanding officers

The command was led by several senior RAF officers, many of whom held the rank of Air Vice-Marshal. Its first commander was Air Commodore Arthur Longmore, a noted naval aviation pioneer. Subsequent commanders included Air Vice-Marshal William Mitchell, who led during a period of expansion, and Air Vice-Marshal Richard Peirse, who commanded during the intense period of the Arab revolt. The final commander was Air Vice-Marshal Alan Lees, who oversaw the command's transition and dissolution in the immediate post-war period.

Category:Royal Air Force commands Category:British Mandate for Palestine Category:Military history of Jordan Category:Military units and formations established in 1922 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945