On This Day, 1974: On 23 July 1974, two RAF Phantom FGR.2s of No. 41 Squadron reached Akrotiri to support reconnaissance and…
Read the entry →Second World War Articles
In-depth articles, analysis and long reads from The RAF Chronicle.
The RAF Supports Operation Excess in the Mediterranean
Second World War
On 8 January 1941, RAF aircraft from Malta supported Operation Excess, the British convoy effort to reinforce Malta and Greece.
Read the article →“Black Friday” – The Banff Strike Wing Attack at Førde Fjord
On 9 February 1945, RAF Banff Strike Wing attacked German ships at Førde Fjord, suffering heavy losses in…
Two RAF Lancasters Collide Over the Netherlands
On 8 February 1945, two RAF Lancaster bombers collided over the Netherlands after a Dortmund–Ems Canal raid, killing…
The Mediterranean Air Command Formed in the Second World War
On 2 February 1943, the Mediterranean Air Command was created under Arthur Tedder to coordinate Allied air operations…
Wing Commander Robert Roland Stanford Tuck Shot Down
On 28 January 1942, Wing Commander R. R. Stanford Tuck was shot down over northern France and taken…
The USAAF Attacks Germany for the First Time
On 27 January 1943, the United States Eighth Air Force attacked Germany for the first time, marking a…
Malta Fighters Mauled With 7 Hawker Hurricanes Lost
On 25 January 1942, RAF fighters on Malta suffered heavy losses when Luftwaffe Bf 109s shot down seven…
First Successful Intruder Operations by RAF Night Fighters
On 24 January 1941, Royal Air Force night fighters carried out one of the earliest successful "Intruder" patrols…
Frank Whittle Resigns from Power Jets
On 22 January 1946, Air Commodore Frank Whittle resigned from Power Jets after disputes over the future of…
Hurricanes Defend Singapore Against Japan
On 20 January 1942, RAF Hawker Hurricanes defended Singapore against Japanese bombers during the final stages of the…
The RAF Participates in the Casablanca Conference Air Security
On 18 January 1943, RAF units provided air security and transport support during the Allied conference at Casablanca…
RAF Launches Leaflet Raid on Prague and Vienna
On 12 January 1940, RAF Whitley bombers carried out the service's first leaflet raid over Prague and Vienna…
First “Circus” Operation Mounted Over Occupied France
On 10 January 1941, the Royal Air Force mounted what became known as the first "Circus" operation over…