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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Photographic, Reconnaissance, Meteorological, Survey and Film Units
[Film | Photographic | Reconnaissance | Meteorological | Survey]
This section covers a range of units involving photographic work, meteorological reconnaissance, survey work and film making.
Bomber Command Film Flight Unit
This was formed on 10 March 1945 at Bardney, moving to Fulbeck on 8 April, to Syerston on 22 April and finally to Upwood on 17 October, where it disbanded on 18 December 1945.
RAF Film Production Unit/No 1 Film Production Unit
This was formed as the RAF Film Production Unit on 30 August 1941 under the control of No 26 Group at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, parented by the AMU, London. It was initially equipped with a Beaufort and an Anson, which was housed at Benson and was transferred to No 27 Group on 1 January 1942, when parenting was assumed by the RAF Depot, Uxbridge. On 12 November 1943 it was redesignated No 1 FPU . On 1 January 1946 it moved to Bentley Priory, where it was transferred to Fighter Command on 23 January. It was redesignated Film Production Unit Library on 1 March 1949.
No 2 Film Production Unit
This was formed from the RAF FPU (NWAAF) on 18 November 1943 under the control of NWAAF at Tunis. It was later transferred to MAC and by January 1944 was under No 214 Group, moving to Naples by 21 January, then to rome by 15 July. On 25 September it was transferred to MACAF, moving to Athens on 28 November and back to Rome on 1 January 1945. It was transferred again, this time to, Balkan Air Force in February, moving to Villorba on 21 May and then to Mestre by 16 May, where it disbanded into No 1 FPU on 8 June 1945.
No 3 Film Production Unit
This was formed on 12 November 1943 at Calcutta, under the control of AHQ, moving to Alipore by 31 July 1945 and disbanded on 30 November 1945.
No 4 Film Production Unit
This was formed from on 12 April 1944 at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath under the operational control of AEAF and administrative control of No 1 FPU, to work with 2nd TAF. With the disbandment of AEAF, operational control was transferred to HQ 2nd TAF on 15 October 1944. It moved to B56 Brussels/Evere by 5 December 1944, to 235 Rue de la Loi, Brussels on 13 December, then to Suchteln on 27 April 1945, where it disbanded on 1 June 1945.
No 5 Film Processing Unit
This was formed on 9 August 1944 under the control of No 85 Group at Bentley Priory, Stanmore and disbanded on 25 August 1944, its personnel and eqwuipment being absorbed as a Section of HQ, No 85 Group.
No 6 Film Processing Unit
This was formed on 7 October 1944 under the control of ADGB at Bentley Priory, Stanmore for service on the continent. The advance party arrived at The Airport Barracks, Keerbergen on 21 November 1944, being joined by the main party by 5 December. On 18 June 1945 it moved to Forsthaus Halt, Buckeberg Forst and disbanded on 25 October 1945.
RAF Film Production Unit (NWAAF)
This was formed on 1 July 1943 at Tunis under the operational control of Mediterranean Air Command and administered by No 2 Base Area. It was redesignated No 2 FPU on 18 November 1943.
RAF Film Production Unit Library
This was formed by redesignating No 1 Film Production Unit at Stanmore Park on 1 March 1949 and disbanded on 19 August 1957.
No 5 Group Film Unit
No formation or disbandment dates have been locted for this unit but may have been at Waddington at some point.
Polish Air Force Film Unit
This was formed on 4 March 1942 under the control of No 27 Group at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, moving to Cammeringham on 14 November 1945 and disbanded on 7 December 1946.
RAF Film Unit
This had been formed by October 1944 at Catterick but its fate is unknown.
Air Force Central Photographic Production Unit (India)
This was formed from the Command Photographic Section on 9 September 1946 under the operational control of AHQ India, administered by RAF Delhi, its fate is currently unknown.
Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (ME)
This was formed on 1 June 1960 by redesignating the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (ME) at Episkopi, and was redesignated Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (NEAF) on 1 March 1961.
Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (NEAF)
This was formed on 1 March 1961by redesignating the Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (ME) at Episkopi, no further details at present.
No 2 Camouflage Unit
This was formed on 3 November 1939 at Heston for photographic reconnaissance duties. It was detached to Seclin under the title Special Survey Flight on 5 November and was redesignated the Photographic Development Unit on 19 January 1940.
Officer Commanding: -
3 Nov 1939 Wg Cdr F S Cotton
[Personnel and unit movements]
Central Interpretation Unit
This was formed between August 1940 and January 1941 administered by HQ Coastal Command at Wembley, moving to Danesfield Court, Medmenham in April 1941. Operational control was transferred to the Air Ministry on 12 June 1941 and in the same date the administrative control was transferred to No 6 Group, Bomber Command. Administrative control was transferred to No 26 Group by June 1942, then to No 91 Group by July 1942, to No 28 Group on 1 May 1943, to No 16 Group by January 1944 then back to No 28 Group in January/February and finally to No 106 Group on 14 April 1944, before being redesignated Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Centre (UK) on 1 August 1946.
Central Photographic Centre
This was formed on 15 August 1960 under the control of Air Forces Arabian Peninsula at Khormaksar, no further details at present.
Central Photographic Interpretation Centre
This was formed on an unknown date in ACSEA but disbanded on 30 November1945.
Central Photographic Unit
This was formed on 1 August 1942 under the control of No 1 School of Photography at Farnborough but its fate is unknown.
Field Photographic Library
This was formed on 15 May 1943 at 83 Pall Mall, London, SW1 in No 35 Wing to provide a base library to relieve Mobile Field Photographic Sections of the bulk storage of negatives and reproduction work. Operational control was vested in the Army, whilst technical control was with the RAF, its fate is unknown.
Heston Flight
This was formed from Special Intelligence Service Flight on 23 September 1939 under the control of No 11 Group at Heston and was redesignated No 2 Camouflage Unit on 1 November 1939.
Officer Commanding: -
24 Sep 1939 Wg Cdr F S Cotton
[Personnel and unit movements]
No 1 Mobile Field Photographic Section
This was formed on 5 August 1942 at Farnborough in No 70 Group and was later attached to GHQ Home Forces. The purpose of these Sections was to provide photographic processing for Army Interpretation Sections at Army HQs. By the end of 1943 it had been transferred to AEAF and was located at Norfolk House and was converted to Type A, and disbanded on 31 January 1946.
It reformed on 1 June 1956 at RAF Wahn in No 83 Group tasked with the first phase film processing and printing in support of No 17 Squadron. It moved to RAF Wildenrath on 1 April 1957, and was transferred to No 2 Group on 3 May 1958, and was redesignated No 1 Mobile Field Photographic Unit on 18 January 1962.
No 2 Mobile Field Photographic Section
This was formed in late 1942 in the Middle East but no further details at present.
It reformed on 15 July 1954 at RAF Gutersloh under the complete control of HQ, No 2 Group, tasked with the first phase film processing and printing in support of No 79 Squadron. It moved to Laarbruch on 1 October 1954, and then to Wunstorf on 7 November 1955, where it was re-numbered No 5 MFPS on 1 June 1956.
It reformed on 1 June 1956 at Geilenkirchen by re-numbering No 3 MFPS to support No 2 Squadron, moving to Jever on 15 January 1958, and then to Gutersloh on 1 September 1961, and was redesignated No 2 Mobile Field Photographic Unit on 18 January 1962.
No 3 Mobile Field Photographic Section
This was formed in 1943 in the UK for service in the Middle East. On 1 October 1943 it was transferred from MEC to DAF and on 20 November 1943 to the North-west African Photographic Reconnaissance Wing, absorbing the photographic section of No 285 Wing at the same time. Its fate is unknown at present.
It reformed on 15 July 1954 at RAF Wahn under the complete control of HQ, No83 Group, tasked with the first phase film processing and printing in support of No 2 Squadron. It moved to Geilenkirchen on 24 October 1955, where it disbanded on 1 June 1956.
It reformed on 1 June 1956 at Laarbruch by re-numbering No 5 MFPS to support No 31 Squadron, and was transferred from No 83 Group to No 2 Group on 3 May 1958, and was redesignated No 3 Mobile Field Photographic Unit on 18 January 1962.
No 4 Mobile Field Photographic Section
This commenced formation on 29 June 1943 at Farnborough in No 70 Group in order to undertake its training prior to being attached to GHQ Home Forces (South Eastern Command). By the end of 1943 it had been transferred to No 34 (PR) Wing at Hartford Bridge and was converted to Type A.
By 7 September 1949 it was located at Wahn but on that date moved to Wunstorf. It later moved to Bad Eilsen before going to Gutersloh on 3 April 1952, where it came under the functional and administrative control of No 2 Group. It redeployed to Bad Eilsen on 8 June 1953,where it was under the full control of HQ, 2nd TAF and was responsible for the provision of photographic services to support HQ, 2nd TAF/HQ, NAG in the field or at static locations.
It was redesignated No 4 Mobile Field Photographic Unit at Rheindahlen on 18 January 1962.
No 5 (RCAF) Mobile Field Photographic Section (Type A)
This was formed on 27 December 1943 at RAF Farnborough in No 70 Group, later being transferred to No 39 (Reconnaissance) Wing RCAF prior to D-Day and accompanied it to France in late June 1944. The title (RCAF) was dropped on 20 September 1945, and it disbanded on 31 January 1946..
Officer Commanding: -
xx xxx xxxx Flt Lt J R T Richardson
15 Mar 1945 Flt Lt W A Ironside
xx xxx 1945 Fg Off J A L Johnston
No 5 Mobile Field Photographic Section
This was formed on 8 June 1953 at Gutersloh under the functional control of HQ 2nd TAF and administrative and technical control of No 2 Group. It task was to provide first phase photographic services and cover diagrams for aircraft of No 34 Reconnaissance Wing. By 4 April 1945 it was located at B90 Petit Brogel but had moved to B108 Rheine by 12 April 1945 and by 17 April to B116 Wunstorf. On VE Day it was located at B154 Reinsehlen, but by 26 May had moved to Travemunde.
It moved to Laarbruch, probably on 15 November 1954, where it was re-numbered as No 3 MFPS on 1 June 1956, but the same day No 2 MFPS at RAF Wunstorf was re-numbered No 5 MFPS to work with No 541 Squadron. Functional and administrative control was transferred from HQ, No 2 Group, to HQ, No 83 Group on 14 April 1956, no further details at present.
No 6 (RCAF) Mobile Field Photographic Section (Type C)
This was formed on 27 December 1943 at RAF Redhill in No 39 (Reconnaissance) Wing RCAF, No 11 Group and accompanied it to France in late June 1944. By 15 March 1945 it was located at B90 Petit Brogel, moving to B104 by 4 April but had moved to B108 Rheine by 12 April 1945 and by 17 April was located at B116 Wunstorf. However, by 26 April it had moved again, this time to B154 Reinsehlen and on VE-Day it was located at B156 Luneburg. It disbanded on 7 August 1945.
Officer Commanding: -
xx xxx xxxx Flt Lt W D Moody
6 Apr 1945 Flt Lt W S Pearce
No 6 Mobile Field Photographic Section
This was formed on 1 June 1956 at Laarbruch in No 83 Group. It task was to provide first phase photographic services and cover diagrams for aircraft of No 69 Squadron, It moved to RAF Luqa in RAF Malta on 1 April 1958, and disbanded on 30 June 1961, its task being absorbed by the Central Photographic Section, RAF Luqa.
No 7 Mobile Field Photographic Section (Type C)
This was formed on 27 December 1943 at RAF Hartford Bridge in No 34 (Reconnaissance) Wing, No 2 Group and accompanied it to France in late June 1944. It disbanded on 20 September 1945.
No 7 Mobile Field Photographic Section
This was formed on 1 June 1956 at Wunsdorf in No 2 Group. It task was to provide first phase photographic services and cover diagrams for aircraft of No 79 Squadron. It moved to Gutersloh on 15 September 1956, and was redesignated No 7 Mobile Field Photographic Unit on 18 January 1962.
No 8 Mobile Field Photographic Section (Type C)
This was formed on 20 January 1944 at RAF Sawbridgeworth for service with 2nd TAF and was disbanded on 10 August 1945.
No 8 Mobile Field Photographic Section
This was formed on 1 June 1956 at Laarbruch in No 83 Group. It task was to provide first phase photographic services and cover diagrams for aircraft of No 80 Squadron. It moved to Bruggen on 10 June 1957, and was transferred from No 83 Group to No 2 Group on 3 May 1958, and was redesignated No 8 Mobile Field Photographic Unit on 18 January 1962.
No 9 Mobile Field Photographic Section (Type C)
This was formed on 22 May 1944 at RAF Northolt for service with No 34 (PR) Wing, 2nd TAF and was disbanded on 10 August 1945..
No 1 Mobile Field Photographic Unit
This was formed on 18 January 1962 at Wildenrath by redesignating No 1 Mobile Field Photographic Section, no further details at present.
No 2 Mobile Field Photographic Unit
This was formed on 18 January 1962 at Gutersloh by redesignating No 2 Mobile Field Photographic Section, no further details at present.
No 3 Mobile Field Photographic Unit
This was formed on 18 January 1962 at Laarbruch by redesignating No 3 Mobile Field Photographic Section, no further details at present.
No 4 Mobile Field Photographic Unit
This was formed on 18 January 1962 at Rheindahlen by redesignating No 4 Mobile Field Photographic Section, no further details at present.
No 7 Mobile Field Photographic Unit
This was formed on 18 January 1962 at Gutersloh by redesignating No 7 Mobile Field Photographic Section, no further details at present.
No 8 Mobile Field Photographic Unit
This was formed on 18 January 1962 at Bruggen by redesignating No 8 Mobile Field Photographic Section, no further details at present.
Mobile Micro-Film Section
This was formed in MedME, administered by HQ DAF, no further details at present.
No 1 Mobile Micro-Filming Unit
This was formed in 2nd TAF/BAFO on an unknown date and disbanded on 31 May 1946.
No 2 Mobile Micro-Filming Unit
This was formed in 2nd TAF/BAFO on an unknown date and disbanded on 31 May 1946.
No 3 Mobile Micro-Filming Unit
This was formed in 2nd TAF/BAFO on an unknown date and disbanded on 31 May 1946.
No 4 Mobile Micro-Filming Unit
This was formed in 2nd TAF/BAFO on an unknown date and disbanded on 31 May 1946.
No 5 Mobile Micro-Film Unit
This was formed in MedME on an unknown date and was located in Rome when it disbanded on 30 April 1947.
RAF Mobile Micro-Filming Unit
This was formed in BAFO on 31 May 1946, and disbanded on 1 January 1948.
India Command Air Photographic Priority Board
This was formed on an unknown date under the control of India Command at an unknown location and was redesignated the Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Board (India) on 1 November 1946.
Command Photographic Interpretation Pool
This was formed on an unknown date and was redesignated Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Centre (South East Asia) on 15 January 1947.
Command Photographic Reproduction Section
This was formed on an unknown date on the establishment of RAF Maintenance Base, Seletar but on 15 January 1950 was transferred to the FEAF Miscellaneous Establishments and was placed under the OC, Joint Photographic Interpretation Centre. It was transferred to the direct control of HQ FEAF on 1 January 1958. On 1 November 1960 administrative control was transferred to No 224 Group, whilst functional control remained with HQ FEAF.
Command Photographic Reproduction Unit (FE)
This was formed on 15 October 1953 at RAF Seletar to carry out the task previously carried out by RAF Maintenance Base, Seletar, but lost its independent identity on 11 June 1964 on being absorbed into the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (Far East) as the Photographic Reproduction Section.
India Interpretation Unit
This was formed by July 1942 under the control of India Command at an unknown location and was possibly redesignated the Central Photographic Interpretation Centre on an unknown date.
Intelligence Photographic Flight
This was formed in June 1940 under the control of the Secret Intelligence Service Office/Officer at Heliopolis and was absorbed into No 2 PRU on an unknown date.
Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Board (India)
This was formed on 1 November 1946 by redesignating India Command Air Photographic Priority Board at an unknown location, no further details at present.
Joint Air Photographic Interpretation Centre (Far East)
This was formed on an unknown date, probably in Singapore, and moved to RAF Maintenance Base Seletar on 12 February 1948. It was transferred to the direct control of HQ FEAF on 1 January 1958, and was redesignated Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (Far East) on 1 September 1959.
Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Centre (Germany)
This was formed on an unknown date, in 2nd TAF and was renamed the Photographic Interpretation Detachment on 30 June 1952.
Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Centre (ME)
This was formed on 12 August 1946 by redesignating the Middle East Interpretation Unit, and by January 1951 was located at Deversoir. On 23 January 1951, its policy was revised as follows: -
To provide: -
Photographic processing and interpretation service for Middle East Air and Land Forces as directed by HQ MEAF.
Two transportable photographic sections capable of operating independently of Unit HQ and of each other based on: -
Class 'A' photographic train.
Class 'D photographic train.
Self administered: accounting and domestic services provided by RAF Deversoir.
From 1 February 1953, its policy was revised as follows: -
The unit is in future to confine its activities to to photographic intelligence only.
The photographic process section of JAPIC (ME) attached for duty with No 13 Squadron, is to be transferred to the establishment if the squadron.
The photographic production section of JAPIC (ME) is to be transferred to the establishment of RAF Deversoir.
It was now under the functional control of HQ MEAF and administrative control of No 205 Group through RAF Deversoir, which also parented the unit. It was responsible for: -
Liaison with HQs in the theatre and advising on problems affecting Photographic Intelligence
Preparing and disseminating long term intelligence obtained from photographs as required by the three services and JIB (ME).
Tactical interpretation for the Royal Navy and RAF.
Meeting all requests for cover search and for the supply of resulting photographic reproduction requirements from previous cover held in the theatre.
Provision of annotated prints and mosaics.
Maintaining Operational print and Historical print libraries.
Maintaining liaison with JAPIC (UK).
Providing photographic interpretation plotting and coverage sections or detachments for PR formations, other than tactical formations.
It moved to Abu Sueir on 7 December 1954, remaining under the functional control of HQ MEAF but under the administrative and technical control of RAF Abu Sueir and was redesignated the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (ME) on 11 July 1955.
Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Centre (India)
This was formed on 15 January 1947 by redesignating the Command Photographic Interpretation Pool, and was transferred to the RIAF on 1 September 1947.
Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Centre (UK)
This was formed in Coastal Command on 1 August 1946 by redesignating the Central Interpretation Unit as part of the Central Photographic Establishment. It was redesignated Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre on 17 December 1953 being under the operational control of the Air Ministry (ACAS (I)) and administrative control of No 3 Group.
Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (UK)
This was formed at RAF Nuneham Park on 17 December 1953 by redesignating the Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Centre (UK), remaining under the operational control of the Air Ministry (ACAS (I)) and administrative control of No 3 Group. It moved to RAF Brampton on 23 November 1956, where it was transferred to the full control of the Central Reconnaissance Establishment on 1 April 1963, no further details at present.
Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (Far East)
This was formed on 1 September 1959 by redesignating the Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Centre (Far East) at Seletar. On 1 November 1960 administrative control was transferred to No 224 Group, whilst functional control remained with HQ FEAF, no further details at present.
Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (ME)
This was formed on 11 July 1955 by redesignating the Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Centre (ME), in No 205 Group. On 15 September 1955 it moved from Abu Sueir to RAF Episkopi under the control of AHQ Cyprus, and was retitled Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (ME) on 1 June 1960.
London Photographic Centre
This was formed on 21 May 1918 at Goschen Buildings, 12/13 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London WC2. It moved to Farnborough, where it was redesignated HQ RAF Photographic Centre on 29 April 1919.
Middle East Interpretation Unit
This was formed 15 May 1942 under the control of AHQ Egypt at Heliopolis but operated mobile detachments in Malta, the Western Desert, the Levant and Iraq. It redesignated the Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Centre (ME) on 12 August 1946.
Photographic Interpretation Detachment
This was formed in 2nd TAF by renaming the Joint Air Photographic Intelligence Centre (Germany) on 30 June 1952, no further details at present.
No 2 Photographic Interpretation Detachment
This was formed on an unknown date in ACSEA as part of the Central Photographic Interpretation Centre, but disbanded on 30 November1945.
AEAF Negative Library and Reproduction Unit
This was formed on an unknown date under the control of HQ AEAF at an unknown location and was redesignated the 2nd TAF Negative Library and Reproduction Unit on 15 October 1944 on the disbandment of AEAF.
2nd TAF Negative Library and Reproduction Unit/2nd TAF Photographic Negative Library
This was formed on 15 October 1944 by redesignating the AEAF Negative Library and Reproduction Unit on its transfer to 2nd TAF at an unknown location. It was redesignated 2nd TAF Photographic Negative Library on 25 November 1944 and was redesignated BAFO Photographic Negative Library on 15 July 1945.
BAFO Photographic Negative Library
This was formed by redesignating 2nd TAF Photographic Negative Library on 15 July 1945, and disbanded on 20 September 1945.
Photographic Park
This was formed from the School of Photography on 16 June 1919 under the control of South Western Area at South Farnborough and reverted to the title School of Photography on 23 December 1919.
Photographic Development Unit
This was formed from No 2 Camouflage Unit on 19 January 1940 under the control of Fighter Command at Heston, also operating from Stradishall and Horsham St Faith and was redesignated No 1 Flight, PRU on 18 June 1940.
Officers Commanding: -
19 Jan 1940 Wg Cdr F S Cotton
18 Jun 1940 Wg Cdr E H Fielden?
21 Jun 1940 Wg Cdr G W Tuttle (wef 18 Jun 1940)
[Personnel and unit movements]
Photographic Reconnaissance Unit
This was formed from the Photographic Development Unit on 18 June 1940 at Heston. It operated as 'A' - 'D' Flights which were detached to other stations for operations, whilst 'E' Flight remained at Heston for experimental work. It was redesignated No 1 PRU on 16 November 1940.
Officer Commanding: -
8 Jul 1940 Wg Cdr G W Tuttle
[Personnel and unit movements]
No 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit
This was formed from the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit on 16 November 1940 under the control of No 16 Group at Heston, moving to Benson on 27 December 1940.
See table below for detachment details: -
|
Flight |
Location/Dates |
|
A |
St Eval: 7 Jan - Apr 1941, Jul - Oct 1941 |
|
B |
Wick: 9 Jan - 16 Apr 1941, St Eval: Oct 1941 - 19 Oct 1942 |
|
C |
Wick: 16 Nov 1940 - 7 Jan 1941, St Eval: Apr - Jul 1941, Leuchars: Oct 1941 - 19 Oct 1942 |
|
D |
St Eval: 6 Nov 1940 - xxx xxxx, Wick: 15 Apr - Jul 1941 |
|
E |
Wick: 15 Jul - Oct 1941 |
|
G |
Gibraltar: 24 Jun 1941 - 19 Oct 1942 |
|
K |
Detling: 23 Jan - 1 Aug 1942 |
|
Mosquito |
Wick: May - Dec 1941, Leuchars: Dec 1941 - 19 Oct 1942 |
|
Vaenga Det |
Vaenga, near Murmansk: 13 Aug - 23 Oct 1942 |
It absorbed No 3 PRU on 15 August 1941 and was disbanded on 19 October 1942 by being split into a number of squadrons.
Officers Commanding: -
16 Nov 1940 Wg Cdr G W Tuttle
xx Apr 1942 Wg Cdr S L Ring
It reformed from No 39 Squadron on 2 June 1982 under the control of No 18 Group at Wyton, being transferred to No 1 Group in 1985. I t was redesignated No 30 (1 PRU) Squadron on 1 July 1992, moving to Marham on 1 December 1993, where it disbanded on 31 July 2006.
No 2 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit
This was formed on 17 October 1940 at Heliopolis, from where it operated detachments at various locations and at some point appears to have moved to Beirut. On 9 December 1942 it moved from Beirut to Kilo 8/LG219 and disbanded at Agadabia to form Nos 680 and 683 Squadrons on 1 February 1943.
No 3 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit
This was on 16 November 1940 under the control of No 3 Group at Oakington, moving to Benson on 21 July 1941 and was absorbed into No 1 PRU on 15 August 1941.
It reformed on by December 1941 under the control of at Malaya and was lost during the Japanese invasion in February 1942.
It reformed from a detachment of No 5 PRU on 13 May 1942 in Pandaveswar, moving to Dum Dum on 28 June. It was transferred to No 224 Group on 29 September, then to No 293 Wing on 27 November but was redesignated No 681 Squadron.
No 4 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit
This was formed in 1941 in Malaya, operating from Kallang at some point but by December was at Seletar and was lost during the Japanese invasion in February 1942.
It reformed on 10 September 1942 at RAF Benson for Operation Torch. It began operations on 6 November from Gibraltar, moving to Maison Blanche on 13 November as part of No 323 Wing and was redesignated No 684 Squadron on 1 February 1943.
Officers Commanding: -
10 Sep 1942 Sqn Ldr A H W Ball
[Personnel and unit movements]
No 5 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit
This was formed from the remnants of Nos 3 and 4 PRUs that survived the Japanese invasion of Malaya on 10 April 1942 under the control of No 221 Group at Asansol. It moved to Pandaveswar on 29 April, to Dum Dum on 4 May and then back to Pandaveswar, where it was redesignated No 3 PRU on 13 May 1942.
Northwest African Photographic Reconnaissance Wing
This was formed on 17 February 1943 at Algiers in Northwest African Air Forces comprising: -
Wing HQ, including the following sections: -
Interpretation Intelligence Section
Photographic Section
Three Mobile Interpretation Units
3rd Photographic Group, USAAF (3 squadrons of F5 Lightnings)
No 682 Squadron RAF
It was redesignated Mediterranean Allied Photographic Reconnaissance Wing on 1 January 1944. It disbanded on 1 October 1944, its RAF duties being taken over by No 336 (PR) Wing.
Photographic Section, RAF Component
This was formed at Farnborough on 20 January 1940 to undertake enlarging and copying work for the Army which was beyond the capacity of the Photographic Sections of Units in the Field. It consisted of: -
Personnel
WO or Flt Sgt (Photographer) - 1
Cpls (Photographer) - 1
ACs (Photographer) 6
ACs (Drivers Petrol) - 3
MT
Tenders, Photographic (equipped as for a squadron) - 1
Trailer, Power Auxiliary, 2-wheeled - 1
Tender W/T Transmitting without fittings (to take a multi-printing machine) - 1
Tender, 3 ton - 1
Equipment
Type 3 Enlarger - 1
Multi-printing machine - 1
Print drying and glazing machine - 1
Copying camera with 3 slides for flat film (18 x 24 films) - 1
Arc lamps for copying (130V AC) - 1 set
Photographic Unit (Austria)
This was formed from elements of No 336 (PR) Wing on 30 September 1945 at Velden under the control of HQ DAF and disbanded on 20 November 1945.
RAF Photographic Centre
This was formed from the London Photographic Centre on 29 April 1919 at South Farnborough and disbanded on 16 June 1919, its tasks being taken over by the Photographic Park.
Aden Protectorate Reconnaissance Flight
This was formed from 'C' Flight, No 8 Squadron on 1 August 1959 at Khormaksar and was redesignated Arabian Peninsula Reconnaissance Flight on 1 October 1959.
Arabian Peninsula Reconnaissance Flight
This was formed from Aden Protectorate Reconnaissance Flight on 1 October 1959 at Khormaksar and disbanded in 1960.
Baltimore Reconnaissance Flight
This was formed on 25 June 1945 under the control of at Shandur to undertake photographic survey work in East Africa. It moved to Eastleigh, Kenya on 18 July and disbanded on 31 October 1945.
RAF Element, Combined British and American Photographic Reconnaissance Force
This was formed on 30 September 1944 at Bally, Calcutta under the control of EAC and disbanded in July 1945.
No 2 Group Reconnaissance Flight
Very little seems to be known about this, possibly secret, unit but it could have been located at various times (1943/44?) at Dunsfold, Lansham and/or Swanton Morley.
Radar Reconnaissance Flight
This was formed as part of the Central Signals Establishment on 1 October 1951 under the control of No 3 Group at Benson, moving to Upwood on 27 March 1952, to Wyton on 17 October 1955 and finally to Gaydon on 1 September 1961, where it disbanded on 1 November 1963.
Strategic Reconnaissance Flight/Unit
This was formed on 25 August 1941 at LG152/Gazala No 3 and was redesignated No 1437 Flight in 1942.
Air Ministry Meteorological Flight
This was formed on 1 November 1924 at Eastchurch, moving to Duxford as the RAF Meteorological Flight on 9 January 1925.
Air Ministry Meteorological Flight
This was formed as part of the Station Flight on 28 September 1936 at Aldergrove, It was renamed 'C' Flight on 27 July 1939 and was redesignated No 402 Meteorological Flight on 15 January 1941.
Meteorological Flight (Meteor Flight)
This was formed by 14 December 1918 under the control of 8th Brigade at Berck-sur-Mer, being transferred to 91st Wing on 1 April 1919. It moved to Bickendorf on 5 June, returning to Berck-sur-Mer on 10 June, where it disbanded on 3 September 1919.
Meteorological Flight
This was formed in January 1920 at Baldonnel and disbanded on in January 1922.
Meteorological Flight
This was formed in March 1920 at Upavon, moving to Andover in April and disbanded on in July 1923.
Meteorological Flight
This was formed in February 1921 at Leuchars and disbanded on in July 1923.
No 1 Meteorological Flight
This was formed on 1 July 1943 at Alipore and was redesignated No 1300 Meteorological Flight on 31 July 1943.
No 2 Meteorological Flight
This was formed on 1 July 1943 at Delhi and was redesignated No 1301 Meteorological Flight on 31 July 1943.
No 3 Meteorological Flight
This was formed on 1 July 1943 at Yelahanka and was redesignated No 1302 Meteorological Flight on 31 July 1943.
No 4 Meteorological Flight
This was formed on 1 July 1943 at Ratmalana and was redesignated No 1303 Meteorological Flight on 31 July 1943.
RAF Meteorological Flight
This was formed from the Air Ministry Meteorological Flight on 9 January 1925 under the control of Fighting Area at Duxford, initially being attached to No 19 Squadron, it was absorbed into the Station Flight on 1 May 1926. It was transferred to No 11 Group when it formed on 1 May 1936 but on 1 October moved to Mildenhall in No 3 Group and was redesignated No 401 Meteorological Flight on 4 February 1941.
The Temperature and Humidity (THUM) Flight
This was formed on 1 May 1951 at Hooton Park, moving to Woodvale in No 64 Group on 13 July. It was absorbed into No 5 CAACU on 1 January 1958 and disbanded in No 12 Group on 1 May 1959.
Air Ministry Survey Production Centre
This was formed on an unknown date at Bushey Park and was transferred to the War Office on 1 April 1953, when it was redesignated No 2 SPC (Air).
No 1 African Survey Party
This was formed on 25 July 1919 at Khartoum and disbanded on 25 March 1920.
No 2 African Survey Party
This was formed on 25 July 1919 at Nairobi and disbanded on 25 March 1920.
No 3 African Survey Party
This was formed on 25 July 1919 at Pretoria and disbanded on 25 March 1920.
Bombing Survey Unit
This was formed on 26 October 1943 under the control of AHQ Malta at Palermo and disbanded on 30 September 1945.
British Bombing Survey Unit
This was formed on 30 June 1945 in London under the control of No 28 Group, no further details at present.
IPP Survey Flight Flight
The meaning of IPP is unclear but the Flight was part of No 541 Squadron at Benson from at least January to at least May 1946.
Radar Controlled Air Survey Unit, ACSEA
This was formed on 1 July 1945 in No 60 Group for service with ACSEA, but was disbanded before becoming operational on 9 January 1946. Some personnel were utilised to form a Lancaster Flight in No 541 Squadron.
Special Survey Flight
This was formed from a detachment of No 2 Camouflage Unit on 5 November 1939 under the control of at Seclin, moving to Nancy on 5 December and returned to Heston, rejoining No 2 Camouflage Unit on 11 January 1940.
West African Air Survey Base Party
This was formed in Bomber Command at Takoradi on 1 March 1950, no further details at present.
This entry was last updated on 10/04/25©
