List of Royal Flying Corps brigades facts for kids

The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) brigades were special groups of military aircraft and people in Britain during World War I. These brigades were like big teams that controlled several smaller groups called "wings."

The idea for these air brigades started in late 1915. When the Royal Air Force (RAF) was created on April 1, 1918, it kept using this system. But after the Allies won the war later that year, the air brigades were no longer needed and were officially stopped in 1919. After that, the RAF changed its structure, using "commands" made of "groups," and "groups" made of "wings," without the need for brigades.

How Brigades Started

After Sir David Henderson returned from France in August 1915, he suggested a plan to the War Office. His idea was to make the Flying Corps' command structure bigger. He proposed that the Corps' "wings" (smaller units) should be put together in pairs to form "brigades." The person in charge of each brigade would be a temporary brigadier-general.

This plan was approved by Lord Kitchener. Even though some staff officers didn't like the idea, it was put into action.

In the war zones, most brigades worked with the army. At first, a brigade had an "army wing" and a "corps wing." From November 1916, a "balloon wing" was added to manage the observation balloon companies. These balloons were used to watch enemy movements. The brigades also had support teams for things like aircraft maintenance, ammunition, and transport.

List of RFC Brigades

Many brigades were created during this time. Here are some of them and their commanders:

I Brigade

This brigade started on January 16, 1916, in Aire. It was stopped on March 5, 1919. Its commanders were:

• E B Ashmore (1916)
• D le G Pitcher (1916–17)
• G S Shephard (1917–18)
• C T MacLean (1918) – This was a temporary role.
• D le G Pitcher (1918)

II Brigade

This brigade began on October 23, 1915, in Great Britain. It was stopped on September 14, 1919. Its commanders were:

• J F A Higgins (1915–1916)
• The original II Brigade was renamed VI Brigade on January 15, 1916. It was then re-established on February 10, 1916, in Oxelaere.
• J M Salmond (1916)
• T I Webb-Bowen (1916–1917)
• J H W Becke (1917–1918)
• T I Webb-Bowen (1918)

III Brigade

This brigade started on January 16, 1916, in Beauval. It was stopped on March 10, 1919. Its commanders were:

• J F A Higgins (1916–1918)
• Charles Longcroft (1918)

IV Brigade

This brigade began on April 1, 1916, in Les Alençons. It was stopped in October 1918. Its commanders were:

• E B Ashmore (1916)
• J H W Becke (1916–1917)

V Brigade

This brigade started on December 15, 1915, in Great Britain. It was stopped on April 1, 1919. Its commanders were:

• J M Salmond (1916)
• It was stopped for a while from March 9 to August 27, 1916.
• C A H Longcroft (1916–1917)
• L E O Charlton (1917–1918)

VI Brigade

This brigade started on January 15, 1916, in London. It first included the units of the II Brigade. It stopped existing on July 20, 1916, when its units became the Training Brigade. The VI Brigade was re-established on October 12, 1917, when the Home Defence Brigade was renamed. It finally stopped existing on July 9, 1919. Its commanders were:

• J F A Higgins (1916)
• J M Salmond (1916)
• It was not active from July 20, 1916, to October 12, 1917.
• T C R Higgins (1917)

Middle East Brigade

The Middle East Brigade started on July 1, 1916, in Cairo. It stopped existing on October 5, 1917, when it became a larger unit called HQ RFC Middle East. Its commander was:

• W G H Salmond (1916–1917)

RFC Cadet Brigade

This brigade was formed on September 3, 1917, in Hastings. It was renamed the RAF Cadet Brigade on April 1, 1918. It was later replaced by the RAF (Cadet) College at Cranwell on November 1, 1919. This brigade helped train new airmen. Its commander was:

• A C Critchley (1917-18)

Palestine Brigade

The Palestine Brigade started on October 5, 1917. Its commanders were:

• The GOC (General Officer Commanding) of RFC Middle East directly commanded it at first.
• A E Borton (1917–1918)

VII Brigade

The VII Brigade started in October 1917. It was stopped on March 26, 1918. Its commanders were:

• T I Webb-Bowen (1917–1918)
• C L Lambe (1918)

Training Brigade (Middle East)

This brigade started in Heliopolis on December 14, 1917. On March 18, 1920, it was renamed the Egyptian Group. Its commander was:

• P L W Herbert (1917–1918)

VIII Brigade

The VIII Brigade started on December 28, 1917. It was stopped on March 5, 1919. Its commander was:

• C L N Newall (1917–1918)

IX Brigade

The IX Brigade started on March 6, 1918, and was stopped on August 8, 1919. Its commander was:

• R E T Hogg (1918)

Training Brigade

This brigade was focused on training. Its commander was:

• J M Salmond (1916–1917)

Home Defence Brigade

The Home Defence Brigade was formed in London on August 15, 1917. It was created by renaming the Home Defence Group. Less than two months later, on October 12, 1917, it became the 6th (Home Defence) Brigade. This brigade helped protect Britain from air attacks. Its commander was:

• J F A Higgins (1917)

Eastern Training Brigade

This brigade helped train airmen in the eastern part of Britain. Its commanders were:

• R E T Hogg (1917–1918)
• C F De S Murphy (1918)

Northern Training Brigade

This brigade helped train airmen in the northern part of Britain. Its commanders were:

• P L W Herbert (1917)
• R R Smith-Barry (1918)

Southern Training Brigade

This brigade was formed in Salisbury on August 5, 1917, as part of the Royal Flying Corps's Training Division. It stopped being a brigade on April 1, 1918, when it was renamed No. 7 Group. Its only commander was:

• H C T Dowding (1917–1918)

X Brigade

This brigade started as part of the Royal Air Force on June 18, 1918, in Basse Boulogne. It was stopped on March 1, 1919. Its commander was:

• E R Ludlow-Hewitt (1918)

XI Brigade

This brigade started as part of the Royal Air Force on September 29, 1918, in Hurst Park. It was meant to serve with the Independent Force in France, but the war ended before it could be sent. The XI Brigade was stopped around November 15, 1918. Its commander was:

• Brigadier-General C L Courtney