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 →Second World War Articles
In-depth articles, analysis and long reads from The RAF Chronicle.
Operation Calendar Reinforces Malta with Spitfire Deliveries
Second World War
Operation Calendar: Spitfires reached Malta from USS Wasp in 1942, but heavy follow-up raids quickly exposed the island’s desperate vulnerability on the ground.
Read the article →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…
The RAF Supports Operation Excess in the Mediterranean
On 8 January 1941, RAF aircraft from Malta supported Operation Excess, the British convoy effort to reinforce Malta…
Hawker Hurricanes Arrive in Singapore to Reinforce Defences
On 3 January 1942, Hawker Hurricanes reached Singapore to strengthen British and Commonwealth air defences as Japanese forces…
The Corpo Aereo Italiano’s Final Raid on Britain
On 2 January 1941, the Corpo Aereo Italiano made its final raid on Britain, ending Italy’s brief and…
Operation Bodenplatte: The Luftwaffe’s New Year’s Day Gamble
On 1 January 1945, Operation Bodenplatte struck Allied airfields across north-west Europe, but the Luftwaffe's last gamble ended…