5 April 1916 – RFC starts preparations for major British offensive

The British Fourth Army under General Sir Henry Rawlinson is preparing for a major offensive in the Somme area during the summer. For the first time in the war a coordinated plan has been agreed between Rawlinson and RFC Commander Hugh Trenchard for the support that the RFC will provide to the offensive.

Army squadrons will conduct conduct strategic reconnaissance and begin the process of achieve air superiority over the German Army Air Service, followed by long-range bombing of German communication networks.

Corps squadrons will observe and direct counter-battery fire against German artillery followed by contact patrols with the infantry, close reconnaissance, destruction of enemy observation balloons, aerial photography and other special missions as determined by the RFC commander.

Today, the Third and Fourteenth Wings began the process of photographing every yard of ground opposite the Fourth Army. Work has also begun to identify and target German artillery batteries.

Fighter aircraft are protecting the corps and army aircraft from enemy attacks as well as preventing German observation and reconnaissance aircraft from venturing into British airspace where they could view the gradual build-up of units and equipment.

30 January 1916 – RFC Reorganises

The expansion of the RFC on the Western Front has finally reached the point where additional formations other than Wings are needed to ensure the Corps is able to carry out its work effectively.

Today the RFC was divided up into Brigades – which will support each Army. Each Brigade is made up of two or more wings. Importantly at least one wing will be responsible for reconnaissance, photography, and artillery co-operation on the immediate front of each army. Another will cover reconnaissance work beyond the area covered by the corps, which had special interest for the army commander

Since, too, the air work for the army head-quarters called for aeroplanes of extended radius of action, those of the highest performance and most fitted to fight for their information were attached to the army wings. Each brigade includes an aircraft park and a kite balloon squadron and is, in effect, a self-sufficient air unit.

Today the following Brigades were formed:

• I Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General E. B. Ashmore, comprising 1 and 10 Wings
• III Brigade, under Brigadier-General J. F. A. Higgins comprising 3 and 12 Wings

II Brigade, grouping the Second and Eleventh Wings, will form shortly.

Two squadrons (12 and 21) have been retained at RFC headquarters to carry out special strategical and patrol work required by GHQ.

6 November 1915 – Weather foils 3 Wing

3 Wing RFC attempted a large raid on a German supply depot around Achiet-le-Grand. The raid was planned to consist of three waves, one at dawn, another at midday and the third, during late afternoon. The second and third waves were to be given fighter cover by 11 Squadron.

The first wave took off in clear skies, but by the time they reached the target, there was a bank of mist and damage was limited. The weather then closed in and the second wave was cancelled. At around 1400, the slies cleared somewhat, and fourteen aircraft from 4, 8 and 13 Squadron’s took off to deliver the third wave. Again, by the time they reached the target, the objective was hidden by clouds and the attack failed. Although some pilots claimed to have hit the target, most lost their way and jettisoned their bombs.

23 September 1915 – Train bombing

While the First Wing RFC focussed on supporting the artillery, Second and Third Wings, and 12 (Headquarter) Squadron are carrying out strategic bombing. The target for today is the Lille -Valenciennes – Douai train line and the junctions and engine sheds north of Valenciennes.

During the day the Douai-Valenciennes line was attacked by 23 aeroplanes of the Third Wing, whilst the Lille-Valenciennes line was bombed by eight aeroplanes of the Second Wing and by three from No 12 Squadron.

Captain Le Brock

Hits have been reported on the track near Wallers, on the junction and on the line in front of the engine sheds north of Valenciennes, and a signal cabin near St. Amand was destroyed.
The biggest success of the day was A l00lb bomb, dropped from a height of 200 feet by Captain Henry Le Marchant Brock of No. 4 Squadron, who scored a direct hit on the centre of a moving goods train near Somain. The engine and front part of the train continued east towards the junction, leaving the wrecked and rear trucks behind – though these were cleared later in the day.

27 April 1915 – 2 Wing RFC joins Plumer’s Force

In response to the German offensive in the Ypres area, at 5.0 p.m. today, General Sir H. C. O. Plumer, currently commanding the V Corps, has been placed in control of all the troops in the area – his command will be known as Plumer’s Force.

As the main role of the Royal Flying Corps squadrons is to provide support for Army operations, the flying squadrons will also reorganise. The new force.will be supported by 2 Wing, which consists of 5 and 6 Squadrons located at Abeele (5 Squadron moved there today). To make up the strength of 2 Wing, 8 Squadron will transfer to Abeele on the 1st of May. 2 Wing Headquarters will be at Poperinghe

3 Wing will now support the Second Army (reduced temporarily to one Corps (the II)), and the III Corps which had been withdrawn from the Second Army on the 6th of April for operations directly under G.H.Q. 3 Wing is made up of 1 Squadron and 4 Squadron at Ballieu and 7 Squadron at St Omer.

The dividing line for close reconnaissance between the Second and Third Wings is the Ypres-Roulers railway.