Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
Distribution of Duties - Air Ministry (Jul 1939)
The Department of the Chief of the Air Staff
All question of Air Force policy
Advice on the conduct of air operations and issue of order in regard thereto
Fighting efficiency and collective training of the Royal Air Force
Questions of policy in connection with the raising, equipment, distribution and maintenance in personnel and matérial of the Royal Air Force
Collection of Intelligence
Royal Air Force communications
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Sir Cyril L N Newall | ACM | Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) |
R H Melville | Principal | Private Secretary |
J S Orme | Assistant Principal (Resident Clerk) | Temporarily attached |
Henry Eeles | Sqn Ldr | Personal Assistant |
The responsibilities of the CAS were delegated through the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff.
Secretarial Division allotted to Department of Chief of the Air Staff (S6)
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
M J Dean H A Jones |
Principal Principal |
Co-ordination and correspondence in the department of the CAS |
S V Beattest A J Leakey H A Bindon |
Staff Officer Staff Officer Higher Clerical Officer |
Preparation of Air Council letters, memoranda, etc for the department of the CAS |
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS)
Plans and orders for air operations and home defence
Work in connection with the Committee for Imperial Defence and the League of Nations
Collection and distribution of air intelligence
Dealings with Air Attachés, British and Foreign.
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Richard E C Peirse | AVM | Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and Director (DCAS) |
R K Harvey | Personal Assistant |
The responsibilities of the DCAS were delegated through the Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Plans and Directorate of Intelligence.
Directorate of Operations (D of Ops)
Operational policy and questions relating to the Royal Air Force
Liaison with the War Office in connection with ground anti-aircraft defences
Liaison with the Home Office and other services on passive defence
Liaison with the Admiralty on coast defence measures and the Fleet Air Arm
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Richard H Peck | AVM | Director |
Deputy Directorate of Operations (Home) (DD Ops (H))
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Donald F Stevenson | Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Operations (Home) (DD Ops (H)) |
FO1 | ||
John W Jones | Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr |
Operational policy and questions relating to the air defences of Great Britain, Fighter Command, including intelligence system and Observer Corps; balloon barrages. Liaison with War Office in connection with anti-aircraft defences |
FO2 | ||
George H Mills J Norwood F C Farrington |
Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt |
Operational policy and questions relating to the Air Striking Forces based on Great Britain, Fighter Command, including intelligence system and Observer Corps; balloon barrages. Composition, organisation, armament and equipment of Air Striking Forces; meteorology and navigation |
FO3 | ||
John G Hawtrey | Wg Cdr |
Questions relating to passive defence, including liaison with Home Office and other services, camouflage and smoke screens. Air Staff aspect of air raid warning organisation. Liaison with Air Raid Precautions Department in lighting experiments, etc Air operational records for Joint Planning |
E Little | Higher Clerical Officer | General supervision of clerical staff of D of Ops and assistance to DD Ops (H), FO1, FO2 and FO3 |
Deputy Directorate of Operations (Overseas) (DD Ops (O))
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
William A Coryton | Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Operations (Overseas) (DD Ops (O)) |
FO4 | ||
M H Ely | Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr |
Operational policy in Egypt, Sudan, Palestine, Transjordan, Iraq, Persian Gulf, Aden, Red Sea, Somaliland, East Africa, West Africa and the Mediterranean Operational questions in connection with the development of strategic air routes in these territories |
FO5 | ||
Basil E Embry | Wg Cdr |
Operational policy in India, Burma, the Far East and contiguous territories Operational questions in connection with the development of strategic air routes in these territories; inter-command, reinforcement and colonial development flights generally; army co-operation Operational aspects of civil aviation |
S Rowley | Higher Clerical Officer |
Assistance to DD Ops (O), FO4, and FO5 Compilation of Air Staffs Operations Library and operational records (covering all RAF Commands and including survey and development, etc, flights) Preparation of of operational notes for Press, RUSI journal, etc. |
Deputy Directorate of Operations (Naval Co-operation) (DD Ops (NC))
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Albert Durston | Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Operations (Naval Co-operation) (DD Ops (NC)) |
NC1 | ||
Graham C Bladon | Wg Cdr | Service training of and training memorandum for GR and TB squadrons |
NC2 | ||
W T Holmes | Sqn Ldr |
Operational policy and questions in connection with coastal defence of Great Britain against air and naval attack. Operational questions in connection with the development of strategic air routes in these territories; inter-command, reinforcement and colonial development flights generally; army co-operation Operational aspects of civil aviation |
NC3 | ||
W W P Shirley-Rollison RN | Cdr |
Liaison with the Admiralty on coast defence matters, and the FAA Analysis of exercises with the Royal Navy. Custody of all Naval secret and confidential publications, other than signal publications |
Directorate of Plans (D of Plans)
Operational planning of the Royal Air Force
Work in connection with the Committee of Imperial Defence and the League of Nations
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
John C Slessor | Gp Capt | Director (D of Plans) |
Hugh H MacL Fraser | Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Plans (DD Plans) Joint Planning Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence |
Alfred C Collier | Gp Capt | Deputy Director In charge of Plans 2 and Plans 3 |
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Hugh H MacL Fraser | Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Plans Joint Planning Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence |
Plans 1 | ||
Arthur L Fiddament | Wg Cdr |
Air Strategy. Policy regarding all aspects of Imperial defence Inter-service policy questions |
Plans 4 | ||
Robert M Foster | Wg Cdr |
Overseas defence schemes. Questions dealt with by Overseas Defence Committee and Joint Overseas and Home Defence Sub-Committee of the CID Policy regarding strategic air routes, prohibited air routes, combined operations and coast defence |
Plans 5 | ||
Douglas L Blackford | Wg Cdr |
Air Representative at the League of Nations. International law, disarmament, restriction of weapons and methods of warfare, air aspects of international treaties and security pacts, questions effecting the manufacture of and trade in arms. Air Staff representative at inter-departmental conferences, and liaison with other departments. |
Deputy Director (Operational) (DD Plans (Ops))
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Plans 2 | ||
Lawrence F Pendred | Wg Cdr Wg Cdr |
Operational planning - Metropolitan Air Force |
Plans 3 | ||
Henry N Thornton | Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr |
Operational planning - other than the Metropolitan Air Force |
Charles H K Edmonds | Gp Capt | Special duties at Committee of Imperial Defence |
W H Scudder | Higher Clerical Officer |
Records of Air Staff, CID and government policy. Plans archives |
Directorate of Intelligence (D of I)
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Kenneth C Buss | Gp Capt | Director of Intelligence |
Administrative and Liaison Branch
Deputy Director of Intelligence (1) (DDI 1)
Middle East, Far East and American Branch
Deputy Directorate of Intelligence (2) (DDI 2)
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Robert V Goddard | Gp Capt | Deputy Directorate of Intelligence (2) (DDI (2)) Collection, collation and dissemination of Air Intelligence |
AI 2 (a) | ||
Alexander H Montgomery
M H Merry |
Sqn Ldr Capt (RARO) |
Arabia, Persia, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, Trans-Jordan, Aden, Yemen, British Somaliland, Afghanistan and tribal territory on the NW Frontier of India Military handbooks on Iraq, Arabia, Palestine, Trans-Jordan, Aden and Yemen. |
AI 2 (b) | ||
Francis F Inglis
F J F Lee |
Wg Cdr Capt (Ret'd) |
USSR, Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. |
AI 2 (c) | ||
Claude B R Pelly
R P St V Bernard G Wright |
Wg Cdr Col (Ret'd) Capt (15/19 Hussars, GSO 3) |
Japan, China, Siam, French Indo-China, Netherlands East Indies, Macao, Philippines, Dutch and Portuguese Timor and Oceania. |
A H Marsack | Sqn Ldr | USA and overseas possessions, Central and South America and West Indies |
A W Jenvey | Higher Clerical Officer | Co-ordination old clerical work of AI 2 sections |
European Branch
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Hon Ralph A Cochrane | Gp Capt | Deputy Directorate of Intelligence (3) (DDI (3)) Collection, collation and dissemination of Air Intelligence |
J M J C J I Rock de Bescombes T C Wells |
Sqn Ldr Maj (Ret'd) |
France and Belgium and their possessions in Africa; Holland (except Dutch East Indies), Switzerland, French Islands in the Pacific, Luxemburg and Denmark. |
AI 3 (b) | ||
Archibald J Rankin C W Williams A D Wintle A C B Neate G G H DuBoulay |
Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Maj (1st Royal Dragoons, GSO 2) Maj (Ret'd) Flt Lt (Ret) |
Germany and Hungary |
AI 3 (c) | ||
Gilbert Harcourt-Smith A P F M Berkeley F C Yeo G T Dennys |
Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Maj (Royal Ulster Rifles, GSO 2) Lt Col (Ret'd) |
Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and their possessions in Africa and the Mediterranean. Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Tangier, Liberia and Abyssinia. |
C C Ledsham | Higher Clerical Officer | Co-ordination old clerical work of AI 3 sections |
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
J C T Willis | Local Lt Col (Maj) | Head of Map Branch, |
G L B Oliver G F Cooke |
Maj Capt |
Liaison with Geographical Section, General Staff, War Office for the collection of geographical intelligence and foreign maps and for the preparation of maps and advice on mapping and survey (including air survey) matters. Preparation of maps and sketches to illustrate reports, lectures, etc and of direction finding maps. Arrangements for map mounting and for the supply and issue of maps and charts. |
W W Popplewell | Civilian Assistant | Map and Chart Library |
Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (ACAS)
Questions of service training, including combined exercises
Development of air tactics
Operational requirements for aircraft and equipment
Signals organisation and administration
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
William S Douglas | AVM | Assistant Chief of the Air Staff |
W D Findlay | Mr |
The responsibilities of the DCAS were delegated through the Directorate of Staff Duties, Directorate of Signals and Directorate of Operational Requirement.
Directorate of Staff Duties (DSD)
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Robert P Willock | A/Cdre | Director of Staff Duties (DSD) |
Deputy Directorate of Staff Duties (DDSD)
Operational training of RAF units (including Balloon units and RAFVR)
Tactical development
Combined exercises
Displays, reviews and flying co-operation at civil functions
Liaison on training questions with Admiralty and War Office, and with Dominions.
Supervision of School of Army Co-operation and of anti-aircraft co-operation units
RAF Staff College, promotion examinations.
Scrutiny of matter for publication or broadcasting
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Forster H M Maynard | Gp Capt | Deputy
Directorate of Staff Duties (DDSD) Head of TW1 and AT |
TW 1 | ||
Robert H S Spaight | Wg Cdr |
Operational training and exercises of RAF units under the operational control of Bomber Command. Regional Control scheme |
C R Hancock | Sqn Ldr |
Operational training and exercises of RAF units under the operational control of Fighter Command. Bad visibility flying regulations |
H M S Wright | Sqn Ldr |
RAF flying displays, reviews, Empire Air Day and flying co-operation at ARP exercises and civil functions. Attachments and visits (where flying facilities are required) of non-RAF personnel to bomber, fighter and balloon stations Navigational warnings of service exercises. Arrangement of photographic facilities for non-instructional films |
A H Meaby | Higher Clerical Officer | Supervision of clerical staff and assistance to DDSD |
AT | ||
Colin P Brown | Wg Cdr |
Tactical policy and advice on tactical matters to commands. Manual of Air Tactics Preparation of papers on tactical matters |
A E Dark | Sqn Ldr |
Study of armament development in relation to tactics. Collection and study of intelligence affecting air tactics |
A W Vincent | Sqn Ldr |
Study of bombing (including torpedo) and air fighting tactics Initiation of action arising from Bomber and Air Fighting Committee decisions. Study of trials and exercises in relation to air tactics |
F G Brockman | Flt Lt (Ret'd) | Bomber and Air Fighting Committees and their Sub-Committees |
TW 3 | ||
J Blackford | Wg Cdr |
Service training of army co-operation squadrons. Reconnaissance training of bomber squadrons. Exercise in co-operation with the Army. Liaison with the War Office on training matters Supervision of the School of Army Co-operation Annual army co-operation reports and memoranda Army Co-operation Manual |
L V Andrews | Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr |
Anti-aircraft co-operation. Provision of service and civil aircraft for anti-aircraft defence training and supervision of anti-aircraft co-operation units. Co-operation with coast defence artillery and supervision of Coast Artillery Co-operation Unit. Armoured Car, Levy, and air survey training Revision of Armoured Car, and other appropriate Manuals and liaison with the War Office on these matters |
SD | ||
W F Dry | Wg Cdr |
Administration of RAF Staff College. Staff College qualifying examination and selection board Liaison with Imperial Defence College and staff colleges. Liaison with D of P on staff appointments Staff exercises |
Harold V Satterley | Sqn Ldr |
Officers' promotion examinations. Liaison with RAF officers on naval and army staff courses. Editing and distribution of Air Staff Memoranda and Operational Reports and distribution lists for Air Publications 947 and 1480. |
E B Beauman | Wg Cdr |
Collation of Air Liaison letters and monthly intelligence summaries. Prize essays, scrutiny of lectures, books and articles for publication and in co-ordination with PPB of matter for broadcasting. Liaison with RUSI. |
R W Todd | Higher Clerical Officer | Scales of distribution of and general questions concerning Air Publications |
F J Spurgeon | Higher Clerical Officer |
Staff College qualifying examinations and selection boards. Officers' promotion examinations |
Dominion Liaison Officers | ||
Gp Capt Sqn Ldr Temp Wg CdrSqn Ldr Col |
F
H McNamara D A Creal F V HeakesS Wallingford K R van der Spuy |
Australia, Australia CanadaNew Zealand South Africa |
Directorate of Signals (D of S)
All matters of communication policy
Organisation and administration of Signals Services for RAF, British civil and Empire routes.
Organisation of Wireless safety and navigational services
Policy and requirements for aircraft and ground signalling apparatus for RAF and civil aircraft
Representation on Signals Sub-Committees of CID, Wireless Telegraphy Board and International Communication Conferences
Wireless intelligence organisation
Signals publications, codes and cyphers
Lights and other methods of signalling
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Charles W Nutting | A/Cdre | Director of Signals |
Oswyn G W G Lywood | Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Signals |
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Signals 1 | ||
C K Chandler | Wg Cdr |
Head of Branch Co-ordination of all signals matter affecting the operation of aircraft |
Signals 1(a) | ||
John G W Weston | Sqn Ldr |
Bomber Command; signals organisation; layout of signals equipment; radio aids to navigation Signals matter affecting Regional Control Scheme. AASF signals organisation and liaison with the War Office. |
J W Gillan | Sqn Ldr |
Fighter and Balloon Commands; signals organisation; layout of signals equipment; radio aids to navigation Special W/T stations, questions affecting provision, training and personnel. Balloon organisation Land line and Communications Policy Committee. |
W Smith | Sqn Ldr |
Fighter and Balloon Commands; signals organisation; layout of signals equipment; radio aids to navigation Special W/T stations, questions affecting provision, training and personnel. Balloon organisation Land line and Communications Policy Committee. |
Signals 1(b) | ||
L H Stewart | Sqn Ldr |
Coastal and Overseas Commands; signals organisation; radio aids to navigation Liaison with the Admiralty. Layout of signals equipment in FAA and GR aircraft. Auxiliary vessels and marine craft signals requirements. Signals questions on inter-command and long distance flights. Route books |
Signals 1(c) | ||
Isaac J Fitch | Sqn Ldr |
Training and Reserve Commands; signals organisation. Army co-operation signals. Signals questions affecting India Command. Mobile W/T equipment Royal Engineers Signals Board |
Signals 1(d) | ||
J B Vernon | Maj (Ret'd) | Organisation and administration of National Pigeon Service and despatch rider letter service. |
Signals 1(e) | ||
A J Brister | Sqn Ldr |
Matters relating to new schemes for wireless aids to navigation at home and abroad, to siting, installations, co-ordination of requirements, and testing of wireless aids to navigation. Supply and training of personnel for wireless aids stations Liaison with Civil Aviation Aircraft identification questions. |
Signals 1(f) | ||
L J Chandler | Sqn Ldr |
Preparation and revision of RAF signals publications and orders Liaison with other Services to secure co-ordination of signalling procedure and manuals. Allotment of Wireless call signs. |
Signals 1(g) | ||
J C Coulson | Flt Lt (Ret'd) |
Establishment, custody and issue of signal books, codes and cyphers and questions relating to cypher staffs. Liaison with Government Code and Cypher School. Visual signals, V/S Board and liaison with other Services and departments regarding international signals. |
Signals 1(h) | ||
J F Watson C G Gentry |
Staff Officer Higher Clerical Officer |
Requirements for siting, provision, and installation of W/T ground stations at home. Co-ordination of Works and Lands services, supply of W/T and electrical ground equipment. Personnel questions. Wireless frequencies and protection of W/T services from interference. Publications and memoranda on RAF and civil aviation signals organisation. |
Signals 2 (Civil Aviation Signals) | ||
W A Duncan | Flt Lt (Ret'd) | Assistant Director (Civil Aviation Signals) |
S L Hulme | Senior Signals Officer | In charge of Signals 2 (a) and (b) |
W G H Miles
|
Senior Signals Officer (Lt Col (Ret)) |
Telecommunications regulations, directions and procedure. Aircraft radio questions |
Signals 2(a) | ||
A C Knowling | Signals Organisation (Home) | |
E D Gilding D E Horne |
Signals Officer Assistant Signals Officer |
Questions concerning operation of existing radio and teleprinter services Distress organisation. Army co-operation services. Recruitment and training of radio and teleprinter personnel. |
A B Gilbert R W Armstrong T J E ThorntonI Campbell-Bruce |
Assistant Signals
Officer Assistant Signals Officer Assistant Signals Officer Assistant Signals Officer |
Planning and extension of radio and teleprinter stations, acquisition of new sites, co-ordination of work in connection with new stations, accommodation, land lines and technical provision. Installation at new transmitting stations. Teleprinter circuits for point to point services. |
Signals 2(b) | ||
W L Shaw C G Phillips |
Signals Officer | Provision and development of technical equipment VHF Radio beacons, site selections, installation and test. |
R E Blakey J C Farmer R W J SullivanW A S Thorn F F Wells |
Assistant Signals
Officer Assistant Signals Officer Assistant Signals Officer Assistant Signals Officer Assistant Signals Officer |
Provision and installation of radio equipment for ground stations. Technical specifications and development questions New buildings for Adcock and transmitting stations. Selection of sites. |
G R A Deacon F L C Butcher |
Signals Officer - Wg Cdr (Ret) Assistant Signals Officer |
Overseas signals organisation on Empire and Atlantic routes. |
Signals 2(d) | ||
J P Jeffcock | Acting Signals Officer |
Approval of design and installation of civil aircraft radio equipment. Inspection of civil aircraft radio stations. Examination of candidates for PMG aircraft radio officers and signalling section for navigator's licences |
Signals 3 (Ground Telecommunications) | ||
W S Allen | Flt Lt (Ret'd) | Assistant Director |
H Barker | Executive Engineer (seconded from GPO) |
Liaison with GPO. Line engineering and plant questions. |
Signals 3(a) | ||
E T Carpenter | Wg Cdr (Ret'd) | Organisation and administration of wireless intelligence service. |
Signals 3(b) | ||
G G Craig | Staff Officer |
Provision of permanent line and telephone facilities at RAF, civil aviation and meteorological stations. Telegraphic addresses; telephone accounts. Emergency telephone and telegram schedules. |
Signals 3(c) | ||
F W S Jourdain | Maj (Ret'd) |
Preparation of land line schedules for the RAF at home for permanent installation and emergency and exercise purposes. Liaison with Home Commands and GPO. |
Signals 3(d) | ||
J Cherill | Sqn Ldr | Meteorological W/T organisation and point to point W/T organisation (home and overseas) |
Directorate of Operational Requirements (DOR)
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties (Part II), July 1939 - AIR 20/7511
This page was last updated on 02/10/21