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| RAF 38 Group | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 38 Group |
| Dates | 1 February 1943 – 31 January 1951; reformed 1 January 1976 – 1 April 1996 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Role | Air transport and airborne operations |
RAF 38 Group
38 Group was a formation of the Royal Air Force established during the Second World War to coordinate airborne transport and support operations. It played a central part in Allied airborne assaults, logistics, and special operations across the European, Mediterranean, and Far East theatres. Throughout its existence the group interfaced with several high-profile formations and campaigns, adapting through postwar restructuring and Cold War reactivation.
Formed in February 1943 amid the expansion of RAF transport capability, 38 Group was created to manage operations that connected with Airborne Forces (United Kingdom), British Army, Allied invasion of Sicily, and later Operation Husky. During 1944 it supported preparations for Operation Overlord and took part in Operation Market Garden and Operation Dragoon, working alongside formations such as I Airborne Corps, 1st Airborne Division (United Kingdom), and 6th Airborne Division (United Kingdom). After the European conflict it was involved in redeployments to the South East Asia Command and supported operations in the Dutch East Indies and Palestine (Mandate) before being disbanded in January 1951. Reactivated in 1976 amid Cold War reorganisation, the group supervised RAF tactical transport and helicopter resources until final disbandment in April 1996.
At its wartime peak 38 Group comprised several wings and squadrons drawn from RAF Transport Command and detachments from No. 38 Group RAF subordinate units including parachute and glider support elements. Its subordinate units included squadrons equipped from Royal Air Force Transport Command, maintenance units linked to Royal Air Force Maintenance Command, and liaison elements coordinating with British Army of the Rhine and Air Ministry staff. The group's chain of command changed during reactivations, reporting alternately to Air Ministry authorities and later to RAF Strike Command structures as tactical airlift doctrine evolved. Administrative hubs and forward bases ranged from UK airfields to continental aerodromes such as RAF Broadwell and staging points linked to Advanced Landing Grounds.
38 Group's core role was to plan and execute airborne and transport missions supporting Allied Expeditionary Force operations, including parachute drops, glider towing, troop lifts, resupply sorties, and casualty evacuation. During operations it coordinated with Special Air Service, Special Operations Executive, and conventional formations including 21st Army Group and U.S. Ninth Air Force. Deployments extended to the Mediterranean theatre supporting Operation Dragoon and to the Balkans in liaison with Yugoslav Partisans. Postwar tasks included participation in Operation Market Garden follow-ups, repatriation flights, and support to colonial policing operations in regions such as Palestine (Mandate) and India during transition.
The group employed a variety of transport and glider platforms drawn from RAF inventories. Primary powered aircraft included the Handley Page Halifax bomber converted for transport, the Douglas Dakota, and the Avro Lancaster in transport and towing roles. Glider units utilized the Airspeed Horsa and General Aircraft Hamilcar for heavy equipment and troop delivery, while tugs comprised types such as the Albion Aircraft derivatives and adapted bombers. Rotary-wing assets were incorporated during the Cold War reformation, with helicopters linked to units operating types like the Westland Wessex and liaison craft from Fairey and Westland manufacturers supporting tactical airlift and search-and-rescue tasks.
The group was integral to several high-profile airborne operations. In Operation Husky elements supported the invasion of Sicily with glider and parachute insertions. For Operation Overlord some squadrons took part in the night drops over Normandy and resupply of airborne forces. During Operation Market Garden units towed gliders and delivered parachute battalions to the Netherlands. In the Mediterranean the group supported Operation Dragoon landings in southern France and later undertook special missions in the Aegean and Balkans, working with Special Air Service and Royal Navy units on combined operations.
Command leadership rotated among senior RAF transport and airborne officers whose careers intersected with major commands. Notable senior figures who directed elements within the group's operations included officers holding appointments in RAF Transport Command, No. 38 Group RAF senior staff, and commanders seconded from Airborne Forces (United Kingdom). Commanders coordinated with theater commanders such as those of 21st Army Group and South East Asia Command during combined operations.
The wartime contributions of 38 Group influenced postwar RAF air mobility doctrine, shaping capabilities retained by RAF Transport Command and later by RAF Logistics Command and Air Command. Its reactivation in 1976 reflected Cold War needs for integrated tactical airlift and rotary-wing support until its final disbandment in 1996 during force rationalisation. Elements of its heritage persist in unit histories preserved by Royal Air Force Museum, squadron associations, and memorials dedicated to airborne and transport crews who served in operations across Europe and the Mediterranean.
Category:Royal Air Force groups