RAF Second Tactical Air Force

RAF Second Tactical Air Force
RAF Heraldy Trust: https://www.rafht.co.uk/ · Public domain · source
Unit name	Second Tactical Air Force
Dates	1943–1949
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Role	Tactical air support
Size	Number of groups and squadrons
Garrison	RAF Dunsfold (temporary)
Notable commanders	Arthur Tedder, Sir John Slessor

RAF Second Tactical Air Force

The Second Tactical Air Force was a formation of the Royal Air Force formed in 1943 to provide close air support to the British Army, coordinate with the United States Army Air Forces, and influence operations during the North-West Europe campaign, Operation Overlord, and subsequent advances through France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany. It operated alongside formations such as the Royal Navy's air arms, the United States Navy, and the Free French Air Forces, integrating with land forces like the 21st Army Group and coordinating with leaders including Bernard Montgomery and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

History and Formation

The Second Tactical Air Force was formed from elements of RAF Fighter Command and RAF Army Cooperation Command as part of a reorganisation led by senior figures including Sir Arthur Harris's contemporaries and planners from Air Ministry headquarters in London; its establishment followed doctrine debates between proponents like Arthur Tedder and advocates within Allied Expeditionary Air Force planning. The decision to create a dedicated tactical air force responded to lessons from the Battle of Britain, the North African Campaign, and the Italian Campaign, and was formalised during conferences such as Casablanca Conference and discussions at Potsdam-era staff planning. Initial formation involved transfers of groups from No. 11 Group RAF, No. 83 Group RAF, No. 84 Group RAF, and coordination with RAF Coastal Command assets.

Organisation and Structure

Second Tactical Air Force was organised into numbered groups and wings, including No. 2 Group RAF, No. 83 Group RAF, No. 84 Group RAF, and No. 145 Wing RAF, with squadrons drawn from units like No. 121 Squadron RAF and No. 401 Squadron RCAF. Command and control structure integrated with the Allied Expeditionary Air Force and liaison officers were embedded with formations such as XXX Corps, I Corps (United Kingdom), and the 21st Army Group. Support elements included maintenance units from Royal Air Force Regiment, signals detachments from Royal Corps of Signals coordination, and logistics supplied through depots similar to those used by UK Ministry of Supply and US Army Ordnance Department. Tactical doctrine emphasised coordination with formations such as Canadian Army units, the Polish Armed Forces in the West, and Royal Netherlands Army contingents.

Operations and Campaigns

Second Tactical Air Force played a central role in Operation Overlord air support, interdiction during the Battle of Normandy, and close air support in operations such as Operation Market Garden and the crossing of the River Rhine in Operation Varsity. It provided air superiority and ground-attack sorties against targets identified by formation commanders like Miles Dempsey and liaised with intelligence sources including Ultra and Y Service intercepts to target V-1 flying bomb launch sites and German formations including elements of the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe. During the advance across France and into Germany, the force supported offensives such as the Falaise Pocket encirclement and the capture of ports like Le Havre and Antwerp, cooperating with Allied naval operations at Operation Neptune and logistics efforts associated with Red Ball Express-style sustainment.

Aircraft and Equipment

Types operated included fighter and fighter-bomber aircraft such as the Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Typhoon, Hawker Tempest, North American P-51 Mustang, and ground-attack types like the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and De Havilland Mosquito. Reconnaissance and artillery-spotting relied on aircraft such as the Auster AOP series and photographic platforms like the De Havilland Mosquito PR variants; transport and glider support involved aircraft tied to Airborne forces operations including the Airspeed Horsa glider and liaison with Glider Pilot Regiment elements. Equipment and ordnance included rockets fired by Hawker Typhoon squadrons, bombs sourced under Lend-Lease arrangements with the United States, and specialized armaments used against German tanks and infrastructure.

Commanders

Senior commanders and notable leaders who directed or influenced the force included air marshals and senior officers such as Arthur Tedder who shaped tactical doctrine, Sir John Slessor in theatre-level planning, and group commanders from RAF Fighter Command and RAF Bomber Command transitions. Liaison and coordination involved figures from the British Army staff like Bernard Montgomery's chiefs and Allied air staff officers who had served at conferences including Quebec Conference and staff colleges such as RAF Staff College, Bracknell.

Legacy and Postwar Transition

After the end of hostilities in Europe, elements of Second Tactical Air Force were retained as part of the occupation forces in Germany and contributed to the formation of Royal Air Force Germany and Cold War air defence posture alongside British Army of the Rhine and NATO structures. Its doctrine influenced postwar tactical aviation development, training at institutions such as Empire Test Pilots' School and the evolution of units like No. 2 Group RAF into peacetime roles. Veterans and histories of the force feature in accounts by authors associated with Imperial War Museums, regimental histories of Royal Air Force Regiment squadrons, and commemorations at sites including Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorials.

Category:Royal Air Force