RAF Second Tactical Air Force

RAF Second Tactical Air Force was a major formation of the Royal Air Force specifically created to provide tactical air support for the Allied ground forces during the Second World War. Formed in 1943, it played a decisive role in the Normandy landings and the subsequent campaign across North-West Europe. After the war, it was a key component of RAF Germany during the early Cold War before being disbanded in 1959.

Formation and Early History

The Second Tactical Air Force was officially established on 1 June 1943 under the command of the experienced Desert Air Force veteran, Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham. Its creation was a direct result of lessons learned from campaigns in the Western Desert and the need for a dedicated, integrated air arm to support the planned invasion of German-occupied Europe. The force was built around the core principle of army-air cooperation, drawing personnel and squadrons from RAF Fighter Command and RAF Army Cooperation Command. Its early development and training, conducted in the United Kingdom, focused on the complex demands of Operation Overlord, working closely with formations like the First Canadian Army and the Second British Army.

Organisation and Command

The command structure was designed for flexibility and close integration with ground forces. It was a major component of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force under Air Chief Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory. The force was subdivided into specialized groups: No. 2 Group for light bombers, No. 83 Group and No. 84 Group for fighter and tactical reconnaissance wings, and No. 85 Group for air defence. After Coningham, leadership passed to Air Marshal Sir James Robb in 1945. The structure also included significant contributions from allied air forces, notably the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force, which had entire wings integrated into its order of battle.

Operations in North-West Europe

The force’s operational debut was the immense air offensive supporting D-Day, achieving air superiority over the Normandy beachheads. It provided relentless close air support during the Battle of Normandy, notably at the Falaise pocket, and conducted air interdiction missions against German transport networks. It supported major ground operations including Operation Goodwood, Operation Totalize, and the ill-fated Operation Market Garden. During the Battle of the Bulge, its aircraft flew in appalling weather to attack Wehrmacht columns. The final major action was providing comprehensive air cover for the British 21st Army Group during the crossing of the Rhine in Operation Plunder.

Aircraft and Squadrons

The force operated a diverse mix of specialized aircraft. The Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Typhoon were ubiquitous, the latter becoming infamous as a tank-buster. Mustang squadrons performed long-range fighter sweeps and reconnaissance, while De Havilland Mosquito units flew fast reconnaissance and night intruder missions. Light bombing was handled by Boston and Lockheed Ventura aircraft of No. 2 Group. By 1944-45, it controlled dozens of squadrons, including famous units like No. 122 Squadron RAF, No. 609 Squadron RAF, and the Royal Canadian Air Force's No. 126 Wing RCAF.

Post-War Role and Legacy

Following Victory in Europe Day, the force was reconstituted as the primary Royal Air Force formation in occupied Germany, becoming part of the British Air Forces of Occupation. It was redesignated as the Second Tactical Air Force within RAF Germany, transitioning to jet aircraft like the Gloster Meteor and De Havilland Vampire to face the new threat from the Soviet Union. It maintained a frontline posture throughout the early Cold War, including the Berlin Blockade. The unit was finally disbanded on 1 March 1959, its assets absorbed into a reorganized RAF Germany. Its doctrine of joint operations left a permanent legacy on NATO tactical air power and Royal Air Force operational doctrine.

Category:Royal Air Force commands Category:Air forces of World War II Category:Military units and formations established in 1943