Imperial Gift Approved for Dominion and Indian Air Forces
On 29 May 1919, the War Cabinet approved the Imperial Gift, sending surplus RAF aircraft to dominions and India to seed future air forces.
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RAF Aircraft Structures, Materials and Survivability
How RAF aircraft structures changed from wood and fabric to the Hurricane’s steel tube, the Wellington’s geodetic lattice, the wooden Mosquito and the Typhoon’s composites.
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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 locks in an attempt to trap enemy vessels.
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Bismarck Is Sunk as the Atlantic Breakout Ends in 1941
On 27 May 1941, Royal Navy forces sank Bismarck, ending the breakout attempt after a hunt shaped by reconnaissance, pursuit and air-sea pressure.
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From Dunkirk to Air Mobility: RAF Transport Under Pressure
Why the RAF could not fly an army out of Dunkirk in 1940, what little air transport it had, and how the lessons led to Transport Command in 1943.
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RAF at Dunkirk: Operation Dynamo Begins, 26 May 1940
On 26 May 1940, Operation Dynamo began and RAF Fighter Command started flying cover over Dunkirk and the Channel in a desperate battle.
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Operation Bibber Sends RAF Hunters to Thailand in 1962
On 25 May 1962, RAF Hunter aircraft deployed to Thailand under a SEATO task force in Operation Bibber, signalling resolve in South-East Asia.
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No. 29 Squadron Phantoms Take Ascension Island QRA in 1982
On 24 May 1982, No. 29 Squadron’s Phantom fighters took over Quick Reaction Alert on Ascension Island during the Falklands campaign.
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C-17 Globemaster III Enters RAF Service with No. 99 Squadron
On 23 May 2001, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III entered RAF service with No. 99 Squadron, transforming Britain’s heavy airlift capability.
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Lysanders Drop Supplies to the Surrounded Calais Garrison
On 22 May 1940, Army Co-operation Lysanders began hazardous supply drops to the surrounded Calais garrison during the Battle of France.
