No. 23 Group RAF

No. 23 Group RAF
Public domain · source
Unit name	No. 23 Group RAF
Dates	1918–1926; 1936–1975
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Group
Role	Training
Garrison label	Headquarters

No. 23 Group RAF was a formation of the Royal Air Force responsible primarily for training and operational conversion at various periods between 1918 and 1975. Its roles intersected with major institutions such as the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, Royal Air Force College, Air Ministry, Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom), and establishment networks including RAF Cranwell, RAF Halton, and RAF Church Fenton. The group’s activities linked to broader RAF structures like Training Command (RAF), Flying Training Command (RAF), No. 22 Group RAF, and operational commands including Fighter Command and Coastal Command.

History

Formed during the aftermath of the World War I armistice alongside reorganisation at the Air Ministry and influenced by figures associated with the Royal Flying Corps and early Royal Air Force leadership, the group underwent disbandment and reformation during the interwar period. Reconstituted in the 1930s amid expansion responding to the German rearmament and the Air Estimates debates, it expanded training throughput for the buildup preceding World War II. During World War II the group coordinated with institutions such as the Empire Air Training Scheme, RAF College Cranwell, Central Flying School, and No. 1 School of Technical Training to produce pilots and aircrew for theatres including the Battle of Britain, North African Campaign, and Burma Campaign. Postwar rationalisation under Lord Portal of Hungerford-era reforms and later under the Butler Review-era adjustments saw the group shift between Training Command (RAF) and Flying Training Command (RAF), participating in Cold War-era training pipelines linked to NATO obligations and aircraft modernisation programmes associated with recipients like Royal Navy liaison and Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom). Final disbandment in the 1970s reflected consolidation under Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief directives and restructuring affecting No. 22 Group RAF and allied training organisations.

Organisation and Role

The group’s organisational structure evolved from headquarters staff interacting with schools, squadrons, and units of the Central Flying School, Empire Air Training Scheme detachments, and specialist establishments such as RAF College Cranwell, RAF Halton, No. 1 School of Technical Training, and RAF Henlow. It reported to higher formations including Training Command (RAF) and at times liaised with Fighter Command, Coastal Command, and Transport Command (RAF) for joint training requirements. Roles included elementary flight instruction aligned with curricula from Air Ministry training directives, advanced pilot conversion influenced by tests from Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, navigation training connected to No. 1 Air Navigation School, and ab initio technical training grounded in standards used by Royal Aeronautical Society-affiliated instructors. Administrative links reached organisations such as Air Council, Chief of the Air Staff, and inter-service establishments like Admiralty training counterparts.

Stations and Bases

Headquarters and units under the group were based at a network of stations including RAF Digby, RAF Cranwell, RAF Halton, RAF Church Fenton, RAF Shawbury, RAF Linton-on-Ouse, RAF Ouston, RAF South Cerney, RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Shawbury, RAF Leeming, RAF Syerston, RAF Tern Hill, RAF Little Rissington, RAF Wittering, and satellite airfields employed during wartime such as RAF Titchwell, RAF Usworth, and RAF Silloth. Overseas linkages included training detachments tied to Royal Air Force India facilities and connections with Royal Australian Air Force units under the Empire Air Training Scheme umbrella. The group’s dispersal reflected strategic distribution seen in RAF basing policy post-Haldane Reforms and later Cold War basing rationales.

Aircraft and Equipment

Aircraft types operated or used for conversion and instruction by units under the group ranged from elementary trainers to advanced piston and jet types. These included the Avro Tutor, de Havilland Tiger Moth, Airspeed Oxford, North American Harvard, Bristol Bulldog in early periods, Percival Proctor, Miles Magister, de Havilland Chipmunk, de Havilland Vampire, Gloster Meteor, Hawker Hunter in advanced conversion roles, and types for multi-engine instruction such as the Avro Anson and Vickers Varsity. Navigation and specialist training used equipment including Link Trainer simulators, radio navigation aids like Gee and Oboe during WWII, and later inertial navigation testbeds tied to platforms such as the English Electric Canberra. Ground equipment and workshops followed standards promulgated by the Aeronautical Inspection Directorate and armament practices tested by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment.

Commanders

Commanding officers and senior staff interfaced with notable RAF figures and staff from corps including the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and professional colleges such as the Royal College of Defence Studies. Senior appointments often involved officers who served in establishments like RAF College Cranwell and who later advanced to posts at Air Ministry headquarters or commands such as Training Command (RAF), Bomber Command, and Fighter Command. Commanders coordinated with civil and allied training partners including representatives from the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Royal New Zealand Air Force during Empire training phases, and engaged with ministers serving in cabinets such as those led by Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee.

Insignia and Traditions

Insignia and traditions of the group reflected broader RAF heraldry practices established by the Air Ministry and influenced by regimental culture shaped at institutions like RAF Cranwell and RAF Halton. Ceremonial precedents followed those used by the Central Flying School and junior technical schools, incorporating elements from badges and mottoes registered with the College of Arms and used across air stations such as RAF Halton and RAF Cranwell. Commemorations aligned with anniversaries of events like Armistice Day and wartime milestones such as the Battle of Britain memorials, while training trophies and awards paralleled recognitions also awarded by bodies like the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Air League.

Category:Royal Air Force groups