Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
Distribution of Duties - Air Ministry (1944)
[ACAS (TR) | DOR | OR (F) | OR 1 | OR 2 | OR 3 | OR 4]
Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Technical Tequirements)
Entries shown in Italics have not yet been confirmed for 1944.
Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Technical Requirements) (ACAS (TR))
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties |
J D Breakey | AVM | Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Technical Requirements) |
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ACAS (TR) is responsible for the following: - |
Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL36 - May 1945)
Directorate of Operational Requirements (DOR)
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties |
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A R Wardle | A/Cdre | Director (DOR) |
N C Odbert | Gp Capt | Deputy Director (1) (DDOR (1)) In charge of OR 1, OR 2 and OR 4. |
B J R Roberts | Gp Capt | Deputy Director (Nav) (DDOR (Nav)) In charge of OR 3 |
OR (F) | ||
Vacant D M Lambert |
Gp Capt Fg Off |
Future planning, including review of aircraft types in production in relation to future requirements. |
OR 1 | ||
D Crowley-Milling | Wg Cdr | Head of Branch Operational requirements of aircraft (as detailed below) and their equipment, excluding items of equipment dealt with OR 2, OR 3 and D Arm R. |
OR 1 (a) | ||
E Sprawson | Sqn Ldr | Bomber, transport and bomber-reconnaissance aircraft. |
OR 1 (b) | ||
A F Eckford | Sqn Ldr | Fighter, fighter-reconnaissance and training aircraft. |
OR 1 (c) | ||
B Lewin | Sqn Ldr | General reconnaissance, target towing and
communication aircraft. Co-operation with the Admiralty on naval aircraft. |
OR 1 (d) | ||
J R Ashwell-Cooke | Sqn Ldr | Gliders and glider tugs, parachute troop dropping and other airborne forces requirements; parachutes and supply dropping containers; Air Observation Post aircraft. |
OR 2 (d) | ||
W J Harper | Sqn Ldr | Operational requirements for: -
|
OR 2 (e) | ||
L A Jackson | Sqn Ldr | Operational requirements for: -
|
OR 3 (a) | ||
C N Fleming G P Marsden W K Dunn |
Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt |
Navigational layout and equipment of aircraft. Operational requirements for : -
|
OR 3 (b) | ||
J F Hyde W J Bourne |
Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr |
Application to aircraft of all radio apparatus, including signals, Radar, intercommunication and beam approach. |
OR 4 | ||
E E Ellison | Wg Cdr | Head of Branch Air Staff member of Airframes Modification Committee, Aircraft Equipment Committee and Security Panel |
OR 4 (a) | ||
P A Tanton | Sqn Ldr | Aircraft performance data; armament data; mechanical transport and marine craft data. |
OR 4 (b) | ||
W F Jaggs | Staff Officer (Branch Security Officer) | Collation of standard operational requirements for
aircraft types and aircraft equipment. DOR amendments to AP970. Routine analysis of aircraft contractors ' tender design. Secretary to the Operational Requirements Committee. |
OR 4 (c) | ||
F R Shepherd | Flt Lt | Examination of Forms 555 and co-ordination of
subsequent actions. Collation of DOR material for Rafdel Bulletin and Dominions Liaison Letter. Secretarial duties to ad hoc Committees. |
OR 4 (d) | ||
C Munro | Flt Off | Progressing of operational requirements. |
Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL36 - May 1945)
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties |
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A R Wardle | A/Cdre | Director (DOR) |
N C Odbert | Gp Capt | Deputy Director (1) (DDOR (1)) In charge of OR 1, OR 2 and OR 4. |
Frederick S Stapleton | Gp Capt | Deputy Director (Nav) (DDOR (Nav)) In charge of OR 3 |
OR (F) | ||
Vacant D M Lambert |
Gp Capt Fg Off |
Future planning, including review of aircraft types in production in relation to future requirements. |
OR 1 | ||
D Crowley-Milling | Wg Cdr | Head of Branch Operational requirements of aircraft (as detailed below) and their equipment, excluding items of equipment dealt with OR 2, OR 3 and D Arm R. |
OR 1 (a) | ||
E Sprawson | Sqn Ldr | Bomber, transport and bomber-reconnaissance aircraft. |
OR 1 (b) | ||
A F Eckford | Sqn Ldr | Fighter, fighter-reconnaissance and training aircraft. |
OR 1 (c) | ||
A I Sladen (AL42) | Sqn Ldr | General reconnaissance, target towing and
communication aircraft. Co-operation with the Admiralty on naval aircraft. |
OR 2 (d) | ||
W J Harper | Sqn Ldr | Operational requirements for: -
|
OR 2 (e) | ||
L A Jackson | Sqn Ldr | Operational requirements for: -
|
OR 3 (a) | ||
C N Fleming M A Snowball W K Dunn |
Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt |
Navigational layout and equipment of aircraft. Operational requirements for : -
|
OR 3 (b) | ||
C S Betts (AL42) W J Bourne |
Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr |
Application to aircraft of all radio apparatus, including signals, Radar, intercommunication and beam approach. |
OR 4 | ||
E E Ellison | Wg Cdr | Head of Branch Air Staff member of Airframes Modification Committee, Aircraft Equipment Committee and Security Panel |
OR 4 (a) | ||
P A Tanton | Sqn Ldr | Aircraft performance data; armament data; mechanical transport and marine craft data. |
OR 4 (b) | ||
W F Jaggs | Staff Officer (Branch Security Officer) | Collation of standard operational requirements for
aircraft types and aircraft equipment. DOR amendments to AP970. Routine analysis of aircraft contractors ' tender design. Secretary to the Operational Requirements Committee. |
OR 4 (c) | ||
F R Shepherd | Flt Lt | Examination of Forms 555 and co-ordination of
subsequent actions. Collation of DOR material for Rafdel Bulletin and Dominions Liaison Letter. Secretarial duties to ad hoc Committees. |
OR 4 (d) | ||
C Munro | Flt Off | Progressing of operational requirements. |
OR 5 | ||
A W Millson (AL42) G P P Pollitt |
Wg Cdr Lt Col |
Operational requirements for: - Gliders and glider tugs, parachute troop dropping and other airborne forces requirements; parachutes and supply dropping containers; Air Observation Post aircraft. |
E W Bates | Higher Clerical Officer | Examination and distribution of performance and
technical reports on British and enemy aircraft and equipment. Analysis of data received from the British Air Commission. Supervision of clerical staff. |
Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL42 - Oct 1945)
Directorate-General of Armament (DG Arm)
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties/Notes |
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Gerard Combe | AVM | Director-General (DG Arm) |
Arm (Plans) | ||
Herbert D Spreckley | Gp Capt | AL37 Formulation of Air Staff Armament Branch policy and planning for the guidance of appropriate Staff branches, on aircrew policy; on technical training; servicing and maintenance; inspection and postings and careers of Armament Officers. |
AL42 Formulation of Air Staff Armament Branch policy and planning for the guidance of appropriate Staff branches, technical training; servicing and maintenance; inspection and postings and careers of Armament Officers. |
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Arm (P & T) | ||
A E Lowe | Wg Cdr | AL42 Personnel and Training - Advice on aircrew training policy, and postings of Armament Specialists and Technicians, Sqn Ldr and above. |
Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL36 - May 1945)
Directorate of Armament Requirements (D Arm R)
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties/Notes |
Hubert L Patch | A/Cdre | Director of Armament Requirements (D Arm R) |
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A O Molesworth | Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Armament Requirements (1) (DD Arm
R (1)) Control of Arm R 1 (a), Arm R 1 (b), and Arm R 1 (c) |
W R Brotherhood | Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Armament Requirements (2) (DD Arm
R (2)) Control of Arm R 2 (a), Arm R 2 (b), and Arm R 2 (c) |
M G Parker | Wg Cdr | Assistant of Armament Requirements (AD Arm R) Chemical warfare. Control of Arm R 3 |
Arm R 1 (a) | ||
E A Howell | Wg Cdr | Bombs and bombsights. |
Arm R 1 (b) | ||
E W Thornewill | Wg Cdr | Torpedoes and sights; mines; ship and water weapons. |
Arm R 1 (c) | ||
G A Wilkins | Sqn Ldr | Bomb carriers and gear; incendiary bombs and clusters; bomb trolleys and lifting tackle. |
Arm R 2 (a) | ||
W P Whitworth | Wg Cdr | All types of guns; gun-sights and ammunition; fixed gun installations; RP |
Arm R 2 (b) | ||
C A Potter | Sqn Ldr | Turret and free gun installations of bomber type aircraft; ground defence. |
Arm R 2 (c) | ||
H S Law | Sqn Ldr | Turret and free gun installations of Coastal and GR type aircraft; armour protection; self-sealing of fuel and oil systems. |
Arm R 3 | ||
Vacant | Sqn Ldr | Chemical warfare equipment and weapons (offensive and defensive); pyrotechnics (except navigational and recognition); smoke weapons. |
Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, 1944 - AIR 20/7517 (AL24 - Mar 1944)
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties/Notes |
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Hubert L Patch | A/Cdre | Director of Armament Requirements (D Arm R) |
A E Dark | Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Armament Requirements (1) (DD Arm
R (1)) Control of Arm R 1 (a), Arm R 1 (b), and Arm R 1 (a) |
Howard Ford | Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Armament Requirements (2) (DD Arm
R (2)) Control of Arm R 2 (a), Arm R 2 (b), and Arm R 2 (a) |
M G Parker | Wg Cdr | Assistant of Armament Requirements (AD Arm R) Chemical warfare. Control of Arm R 3 |
Arm R/PFF | ||
W J Gibbs F H Parker |
Gp Capt SO |
Co-ordination, from inception to production, of target marking devices - Ground markers, Skymarkers, Sea markers, Illuminators and Air Burst Fuses. |
Arm R 1 (a) | ||
W J Macken | Wg Cdr | Bombs (HE and incendiary) |
Arm R 1 (b) | ||
E W Thornewill | Wg Cdr | Torpedoes and sights; mines; ship and water weapons. |
Arm R 1 (c) | ||
T W Evans | Sqn Ldr | Bomb carriers and gear; bombsights; bomb trolleys and lifting tackle. |
Arm R 2 (a) | ||
F V Morello | Wg Cdr | All types of guns; gun-sights and ammunition; fixed gun installations; RP |
Arm R 2 (b) | ||
C A Potter | Sqn Ldr | Turret and free gun installations of bomber type aircraft; ground defence. |
Arm R 2 (c) | ||
H S Law | Sqn Ldr | Branch Security Officer Turret and free gun installations of Coastal and GR type aircraft; armour protection; self-sealing of fuel and oil systems. |
Arm R 3 | ||
F P L Broome | Sqn Ldr | Chemical warfare equipment and weapons (offensive and defensive); pyrotechnics (except navigational and recognition); smoke weapons. |
Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL36 - May 1945)
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties/Notes |
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Hubert L Patch | A/Cdre | Director of Armament Requirements (D Arm R) |
A E Dark | Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Armament Requirements (1) (DD Arm
R (1)) Control of Arm R 1 (a), Arm R 1 (b), and Arm R 1 (a) |
Howard Ford | Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Armament Requirements (2) (DD Arm
R (2)) Control of Arm R 2 (a), Arm R 2 (b), and Arm R 2 (a) |
K A Merritt (AL42) | Wg Cdr | Assistant of Armament Requirements (AD Arm R) Chemical warfare. Control of Arm R 3 |
Arm R/PFF | ||
Vacant F H Parker |
Gp Capt SO |
Co-ordination, from inception to production, of target marking devices - Ground markers, Skymarkers, Sea markers, Illuminators and Air Burst Fuses. |
Arm R 1 (a) | ||
Vacant | Wg Cdr | Bombs (HE and incendiary) |
Arm R 1 (b) | ||
A H Hewit | Wg Cdr | Torpedoes and sights; mines; ship and water weapons. |
Arm R 1 (c) | ||
T W Evans | Sqn Ldr | Bomb carriers and gear; bombsights; bomb trolleys and lifting tackle. |
Arm R 2 (a) | ||
F V Morello | Wg Cdr | All types of guns; gun-sights and ammunition; fixed gun installations; RP |
Arm R 2 (b) | ||
G E Johnson | Sqn Ldr | Turret and free gun installations of bomber type aircraft; ground defence. |
Arm R 2 (c) | ||
H S Law | Sqn Ldr | Branch Security Officer Turret and free gun installations of Coastal and GR type aircraft; armour protection; self-sealing of fuel and oil systems. |
Arm R 3 | ||
S E Harrison | Sqn Ldr | Chemical warfare equipment and weapons (offensive and defensive); pyrotechnics (except navigational and recognition); smoke weapons. |
Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL42 - Oct 1945)
Deputy Directorate of Photography (DD Photos)
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties/Notes |
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F C V Laws | Gp Capt | Deputy Director (DD Photos) Chairman: -
Air Staff representative: -
|
Photos 1 | ||
A Smith | Wg Cdr | Photographic operational technique. Liaison with appropriate branches on development, production, test and installation of airborne photographic equipment. Policy in respect of organisation and technical administration of all photographic units in the RAF. Operational requirements of Photographic Reconnaissance Squadrons. Liaison with DGE on introduction of new equipment. Air survey: technical questions on airborne and processing equipment. Liaison with DGE branches and D Micro S on the provisioning of photographic equipment and materials for the Microgram Services, home and overseas. Allotment of photographic equipment and materials: -
All matters affecting the technical administration of Microgram units at home and overseas, where they are staffed by RAF. Advice to DO (Establishments) on establishments of Photographic Personnel. |
Photos 1 (a) | ||
F E McAdoo | SO | Secretary: -
Liaison with RTP on preparation and revision of RAF Forms and Publications for photographic purposes. |
Photos 1 (b) | ||
H A Andrews | Flt Lt | Direct supervision of Air Ministry Microgram Services. |
Photos 2 | ||
S R Walton | Sqn Ldr | Liaison with DSM and DRM, MAP on maintenance of
photographic equipment in the RAF. Multiprinting, Continuous Film Processing and Negative Duplicating machines (Maintenance problems). Technical questions on Photographic Vehicles including Darkroom Tents. |
Photos 3 | ||
K J Dunkinson | Flt Lt | Film Processing equipment, excluding mechanical
processing machines and cine gun cameras. Contact printers all types, technical and provisioning policy. Advice to DGW on photographic buildings and their equipment. Liaison with DGE branches on provisioning of photographic equipment and materials, excluding air cameras and cine gun cameras. Titling, classification, storage and disposal of negatives. Development and allotment of Darkroom Tents. |
Photos 4 | ||
J Clegg | Sqn Ldr | Administration of Air Ministry Photographic Sectio. Combat films, processing technique. All aspects of operation cinematography, day or night. Operational requirements for stereoscopic photography. Infra-red and colour photography, their applications to Service requirements. |
Photos 5 | ||
C J Commons | Sqn Ldr | Liaison with DGE, in respect of Unit Scales of
Photographic Equipment. Operational requirements for night photography in its application to reconnaissance and operational assessment. Liaison with DGE on pack-ups of equipment for special task forces. All questions arising out of the development of Cathode Ray Tube Photography. |
Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties, January 1945 - AIR 20/7518 (AL36 - May 1945)
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