On This Day, 1999: On 5 June 1999 RAF Tornados flew their first combat missions from Solenzara in Corsica during Operation Allied…
Read the entry →First World War Articles
In-depth articles, analysis and long reads from The RAF Chronicle.
Independent Air Force Announced Under Hugh Trenchard
First World War
On this day in 1918, Britain announced the Independent Air Force under Hugh Trenchard, an early step towards strategic bombing doctrine.
Read the article →RAF Intervention in North Russia Sanctioned by Allies
On 2 June 1918, Allied leaders approved intervention in North Russia, with RAF units intended to support key…
Captain C. H. Darley and the Bruges Canal Locks Raid
On 28 May 1918, Captain C. H. Darley led a low-level Handley Page raid on the Bruges canal…
RAF Area Redesignations Help Shape the New Service
On this day in 1918, the RAF redesignated its home Air Force Areas by region, helping give the…
Captain Albert Ball Posted Missing Over the Western Front
On this day in 1917, Captain Albert Ball was posted missing after combat over the Western Front, marking…
Death of the Red Baron
Death of the Red Baron: On 21 April 1918, Manfred von Richthofen was shot down on the Western…
Trenchard Resigns as Chief of the Air Staff in 1918
Why Hugh Trenchard’s 1918 resignation after a dispute with Lord Rothermere became an early leadership crisis for the…
The RAF Is Founded as the World’s First Independent Air Force
On 1 April 1918, the Royal Air Force was founded through the merger of the RFC and RNAS,…
Alan Jerrard VC Awarded for Gallantry over Italy in 1918
On 30 March 1918, Lieutenant Alan Jerrard received the Victoria Cross for gallantry over Italy while flying with…
James McCudden Awarded the Military Cross in March 1917
On 12 March 1917, James McCudden received the Military Cross, recognising a pilot whose skill and discipline made…
The First Airship Raid on Britain: Zeppelin Operations
On the night of 19 January 1915, the German Imperial Navy carried out the first successful airship raid…
The War Office Purchases the de Havilland No.2 (FE1)
On 14 January 1911, the British War Office purchased the de Havilland No. 2 biplane, later designated the…
The First British Service Parachute Jump
On 13 January 1917, Captain C. F. Collet made the first parachute jump by a British service flyer…