1st April 2018 is the Centenary of the Royal Air Force.
Let us look at how the Royal Air Force were formed
Royal/Naval Air Service
A formal Naval Air Service seaplane base was established in Kent, and in 1913, aircraft from the Naval Air Service took part in naval manoeuvres for the first time with ships from the Royal Navy. ‘HMS Hermes’ was used as a seaplane carrier. The Naval Air Service also used airships and these were based at Kingsnorth, Kent, near the seaplane base.
The Naval Air Service became the Royal Naval Air Service on July 1st 1914 and became the naval wing of the Royal Flying Corps. It became independent of the Royal Flying Corps on August 1st, 1915, when the Royal Naval Air Service was put under the sole control of the Royal Navy. By the time World War One had broken out, the Royal Naval Air Service was equipped with 93 aircraft, six airships and had a staff of 720. The airships were based around the British coast during the war to give forewarning of any approaching enemy ships and submarines.
The Royal Naval Air Service aircraft patrolled the UK’s coastline and for a short time they were given the task of defending London from Bombers and Zeppelins. Attacks on German coastal positions in Belgium were not unknown and there were also two squadrons fighting on the Western Front.
Naval Air Service pilots took part in some daring raids against the Germans. On Christmas Day 1914, the RNAS attacked German Zeppelin bases at Cuxhaven and Wilhelmshaven. During the Gallipoli campaign a Royal Naval Air Service pilot, Flight Commander C Edmonds, attacked a Turkish ship with a torpedo slung underneath his aircraft. The ship was sunk. Edmonds attacked, flying just 15 feet above the waves.
The growth of the Royal Naval Air Service during World War I was huge. At the start of the war, the RNAS had a total of 720 personnel attached to it. By the time of its amalgamation with the Royal Flying Corps towards the end of the war, it had personnel of 55,000. 93 aircraft had grown to just under 3,000 and 6 airships had become 103.
The growth of the Royal Naval Air Service during World War I was huge. At the start of the war, the RNAS had a total of 720 personnel attached to it. By the time of its amalgamation with the Royal Flying Corps towards the end of the war, it had personnel of 55,000. 93 aircraft had grown to just under 3,000 and 6 airships had become 103.
Painting of HMS Vulcan - Royal Navy Submarine Depot ship and Airship SSZ 59,by permission of the artist Jim Rae. Below, Rosyth 1917 by the same artist.
Royal Flying Corps
On 1 April 1918, the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service were amalgamated to form the Royal Air Force.
During the early part of the war, the Royal Flying Corps supported the British Army by artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance. This work gradually led Royal Flying Corps pilots into aerial battles with German pilots and later included the strafing of enemy infantry and emplacements, the bombing of German military airfields and the strategic bombing of German industrial and transportation facilities. The Royal Flying Corps was also responsible for the manning and operation of observation balloons on the Western Front.
During the early part of the war, the Royal Flying Corps supported the British Army by artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance. This work gradually led Royal Flying Corps pilots into aerial battles with German pilots and later included the strafing of enemy infantry and emplacements, the bombing of German military airfields and the strategic bombing of German industrial and transportation facilities. The Royal Flying Corps was also responsible for the manning and operation of observation balloons on the Western Front.
Throughout the whole of the Somme campaign, (July-November 1916), the Royal Flying Corps lost 800 aeroplanes with 252 crew killed.
To support the Battle of Arras, beginning on 9th April 1917, the Royal Flying Corps deployed 25 squadrons, totalling 365 aircraft, a third of which were fighters. The British lost 245 aircraft with 211 aircrew killed or missing and 108 taken as prisoners of war.
During the Battle of Messines in June 1917, they were ordered to fly low over the lines and strafe all available targets.
By the summer of 1917, the introduction of the next generation of technically advanced combat aircraft (such as the SE5, Sopwith Camel and Bristol Fighter) ensured losses fell and damage inflicted on the enemy increased.
Techniques for Army and Royal Flying Corps co-operation quickly evolved and improved during the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele).
To support the Battle of Arras, beginning on 9th April 1917, the Royal Flying Corps deployed 25 squadrons, totalling 365 aircraft, a third of which were fighters. The British lost 245 aircraft with 211 aircrew killed or missing and 108 taken as prisoners of war.
During the Battle of Messines in June 1917, they were ordered to fly low over the lines and strafe all available targets.
By the summer of 1917, the introduction of the next generation of technically advanced combat aircraft (such as the SE5, Sopwith Camel and Bristol Fighter) ensured losses fell and damage inflicted on the enemy increased.
Techniques for Army and Royal Flying Corps co-operation quickly evolved and improved during the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele).
Close support and battlefield co-operation tactics with the British Army were further developed by November 1917, when low-flying fighter aircraft
co-operated highly effectively with advancing columns of tanks and infantry during the Battle of Cambrai.
In 1917, 2,094 of the Royal Flying Corps aircrew were killed or missing, in action.
co-operated highly effectively with advancing columns of tanks and infantry during the Battle of Cambrai.
In 1917, 2,094 of the Royal Flying Corps aircrew were killed or missing, in action.
Royal Air Force
When on 1st April 1918, the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service amalgamated to form the ‘Royal Air Force’, under the control of a new Air Ministry, they became, at that time, the largest Air Force in the World.
After starting in 1914 with some 2,073 personnel by the start of 1919 the RAF had 4,000 combat aircraft and 114,000 personnel.
During World War One, the RFC, RNAS and RAF lost a total of 9,378 men with 7,245 wounded. Some 900,000 flying hours were logged for the duration of the war and just under 7,000 ton of bombs had been dropped on enemy positions.
After starting in 1914 with some 2,073 personnel by the start of 1919 the RAF had 4,000 combat aircraft and 114,000 personnel.
During World War One, the RFC, RNAS and RAF lost a total of 9,378 men with 7,245 wounded. Some 900,000 flying hours were logged for the duration of the war and just under 7,000 ton of bombs had been dropped on enemy positions.
Eleven members of the RFC were awarded the Victoria Cross and some of these pilots became household names -
just two few examples being – Albert Ball, 1896 – 1917, (at the time of his death in May 1917, he was the United Kingdom's leading flying ace, with 44 victories) and James McCudden,1895 –1918, (an English flying ace who received more awards for gallantry than any other airman of British nationality serving in the First World War. He was also one of the longest serving.
Among the few Scottish Flying aces were Gordon Metcalfe Duncan DFC, 1899 – 1941. Born in Edinburgh, he joined the Royal Flying Corps aged 18, in 1917 and left in June 1919 after being transferred to the unemployment list. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 3 December 1918, his citation reading :
“Lieutenant Gordon Metcalfe Duncan. A courageous fighter and skilful leader who has accounted for seven enemy aeroplanes. On 5 September 1918, when on escort duty, he attacked a formation of five Fokker biplanes; one of these he engaged at close range and it was seen to break up in the air; he then drove down a second, out of control”.
Also Major John Inglis Gilmour, DSO, MC & Two Bars, 1896 – 1928, born in Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire, was the highest scoring Scotsman in the Royal Flying Corps, with 39 victories.
just two few examples being – Albert Ball, 1896 – 1917, (at the time of his death in May 1917, he was the United Kingdom's leading flying ace, with 44 victories) and James McCudden,1895 –1918, (an English flying ace who received more awards for gallantry than any other airman of British nationality serving in the First World War. He was also one of the longest serving.
Among the few Scottish Flying aces were Gordon Metcalfe Duncan DFC, 1899 – 1941. Born in Edinburgh, he joined the Royal Flying Corps aged 18, in 1917 and left in June 1919 after being transferred to the unemployment list. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 3 December 1918, his citation reading :
“Lieutenant Gordon Metcalfe Duncan. A courageous fighter and skilful leader who has accounted for seven enemy aeroplanes. On 5 September 1918, when on escort duty, he attacked a formation of five Fokker biplanes; one of these he engaged at close range and it was seen to break up in the air; he then drove down a second, out of control”.
Also Major John Inglis Gilmour, DSO, MC & Two Bars, 1896 – 1928, born in Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire, was the highest scoring Scotsman in the Royal Flying Corps, with 39 victories.
Local Connection with Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force.
Second Lieutenant Philip Charles Westhofen of the 4th Squadron Royal Air Force, enlisted into the Royal Flying Corps, towards the end of the war. He was first reported ‘missing’ on 12th April 1918 then listed as ‘killed in action’ on the same day, aged 19. This was just a few days after the Royal Air Force was formed, on 1st April, with the union of The Royal Naval Air Service and The Royal Flying Corps. Philip is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France.
Philips mother, Alexandra Primrose Glendinning, was born in Leuchold, Dalmeny Park, in 1863. Her father, Peter Glendinning was the Dalmeny Estate Factor.
She married Wilhelm Westhofen in Leuchold in 1887. He was aged 44 and living in Forth View House, Dalmeny, she was aged 23 and living in Leuchold.
She married Wilhelm Westhofen in Leuchold in 1887. He was aged 44 and living in Forth View House, Dalmeny, she was aged 23 and living in Leuchold.
Philips father, Wilhelm, was born in Mainz, Germany, in 1842. He became a Naturalised British Citizen while resident in Middlesex, in 1872. He was a member of the British Institute of Civil Engineers and was Assistant Engineer for the Forth Rail Bridge works, with responsibility for foundations and pier building and for the construction of the central 'Inchgarvie' cantilever. In 1890 he wrote an invaluable and comprehensive account of the design and construction of the bridge.
Philip had two older sisters, Evelyn, born in East Terrace, Queensferry, in 1888 and Wilhelmina, born in East Terrace in 1889.
After the Forth Rail Bridge was finished, the family moved to Cape Town, South Africa, in 1891, so Wilhelm could supervise construction of the Gouritz River Bridge, (then one of the longest and highest in South Africa, work began to replace the old bridge in 1972). In 1892 he was appointed as engineer in the Public Works Department of the Cape Colony, a position he held until he retired on pension in 1904.
After the Forth Rail Bridge was finished, the family moved to Cape Town, South Africa, in 1891, so Wilhelm could supervise construction of the Gouritz River Bridge, (then one of the longest and highest in South Africa, work began to replace the old bridge in 1972). In 1892 he was appointed as engineer in the Public Works Department of the Cape Colony, a position he held until he retired on pension in 1904.
Philip was born in Cape Town 19th March 1899, following two more siblings born in Cape Town, Arthur, 1893 and Mary, 1897. His father died in Cape Town in 1925 aged 83 and his mother returned to Scotland in 1930 on the “Windsor Castle”. She died in North Charlotte Street, Edinburgh, in 1931 aged 67.
© Queensferry History Group 2018