|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RAF Regiment Squadrons 2700 - 2850
Prior to WW2, defence of RAF airfields and facilities was the responsibility of the Army, but following the Battle of France it was decided that the RAF needed to take more responsibility for its own defence. As a result a new trade of Ground Gunner was introduced and in April 1941 Defence Squadrons began to be formed on the strength of RAF stations. In July 1941 these Defence Squadrons were allocated numbers in the 700 series and later 800 series and then at that end of 1941, presumably to avoid confusion with FAA squadron, these all had 2000 added to them.
With the formation of the RAF Regiment on 1 February 1942, these squadrons were absorbed into the new formation and categorised as Higher, Standard or Lower Squadrons. At the same time independent Flights were also formed, number in the 4000 series, categorised at either Special or Composite Flights. In October 1942, these categories were cancelled and RAF Regiment Unit were limited to:
The Squadron
The Anti-Aircraft Flight
Squadrons were to be composed of an established strength of 7 officers, 8 Senior NCOs and 170 airmen (Gunners) and organised as follows: -
Squadron HQ
Three Rifle Flights
One Armoured Flight
One Support Flight
AA Flights were to be composed of an established strength of 1 officer, 3 Senior NCOs and 57 airmen (Gunners) and organised as follows: -
Flight HQ
12 x Gun Posts
Post-War
In 1946 it was decided that the RAF Regiment would continue in existence post-war and whilst it was to be prepared to undertake the defence of airfields and other RAF installations, it would undergo re-organisation as a source of instructors in combat training for the remainder of the RAF as a nucleus for expansion in time of war as well as providing a small regular component for the strategic reserve and for air forces in certain overseas theatres. Pending a final decision on the outcome of its re-organisation, its responsibilities were given as follows: -
The provision of Regiment staff at the Air Ministry, Commands and Groups, and Regiment training officers and N/CO instructors, on a scale of 1 officer to 1,200 personnel and 1 NCO to 600 personnel, at RAF stations at home and overseas.
The provision of weapon and field training instructors at Recruit Centres.
The provision of RAF officers and NCO for native levies, which were already being or would be maintained overseas by the RAF
The provision of leadership courses at the Regiment Depot for RAF officers and NCOs, and of recruit instructors' courses for non-Regiment instructors at Recruit Centres.
The provision of regular specialist staff for any Auxiliary Air Force LAA squadrons which may be formed.
From 31 December 1946 it was planned that 21 squadrons would be deployed as follows: -
United Kingdom
1 x LAA squadron
BAFO
10 x rifle squadrons
2 x armoured squadrons
Mediterranean and Middle East
6 x rifle squadrons
2 x armoured squadrons (ex Armoured Car Companies)
The Royal Air Force Regiment-Constitution, Organisation and Functions, etc.
As announced in AMO N221/42 the Royal Air Force Regiment was formed on lst February, 1942.
Constitution: -
The Air Ministry will undertake, as the agent of the War
Office, the responsibility for executing all local defence arrangements
at aerodromes administered by the Air Ministry and the Ministry of
Aircraft Production in the United Kingdom.
All executive action to this end will be implemented through the RAF
chain of command in accordance with a policy laid down by the
Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces. The Royal Air Force Regiment will be
the chief instrument for fulfilling these responsibilities, although all
RAF personnel will be trained to play their part in the defence of
their stations.
A Director-General of Ground Defence has been appointed who will be responsible for implementing Air Ministry policy, regarding the defence of aerodromes and all RAF stations and establishments. He will also be Commandant of the Royal Air Force Regiment.
Administration: -
The normal RAF chain of command and channels of communication will be used.
The control and supervision of the Royal Air Force Regiment will be vested in the commandant of the regiment who will exercise his powers through senior officers of the regiment appointed to the staffs of commands and groups, and will be responsible to the Air Council for the efficiency of the regiment. He will also be responsible for advising the Air Council as to the policy to be followed in training the Royal Air Force Regiment and in the defence training of RAF station and unit personnel.
The Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces, will inform the Air Ministry of the tactical methods of defence to be adopted and will have the right to satisfy himself, through his subordinates, that appropriate measures to implement his policy for the defence of aerodromes are being taken.
Establishments: -
The establishments for the Royal Air Force Regiment are as follows: -
| (i) Royal Air Force Regiment Depot (ii) Higher squadron (iii) Standard squadron (iv) Lower squadron (v) Special flight (vi) Composite flight |
War/TT/218 War/Misc/181 War/Misc/182 War/Misc/183 War/Misc/184 War/Misc/185 |
The establishments of certain RAF formation headquarters will be amended to include defence staffs.
Training units: - The training of personnel for the regiment will be carried out at the undermentioned units: -
Royal Air Force Regiment Depot: - The depot will
be the personnel centre for the regiment. It will provide a centre for
certain courses of training and for the formation of squadrons and
flights of the regiment. The depot will be self-accounting
for cash and equipment.
No 1 Royal Air Force Regiment School: - This unit will undertake weapon and field training. It will not be self-accounting for cash or equipment, such administration being dealt with by its parent station.
No 2 Royal Air Force Regiment School: - This unit will undertake weapon and field training. The unit will be self-accounting for cash and equipment.
No 1 Ground Gunners School: - This unit will continue the functions hitherto carried out. The unit will be self-accounting for cash and equipment.
RAF Artillery School: - This unit will carry our training with Smith and 75 mm. guns. It will not be self-accounting for cash and equipment, and will continue to be administered by its parent station.
No 166 Officer Cadet Training Unit: - This unit will carry out the training of airmen selected for commissions in the RAF Volunteer Reserve (Royal Air Force Regiment).
Sources of supply of personnel
Officers: - Officers will be drawn from the following sources: -
Suitable officers at present employed on full-time ground defence duties. These officers will be transferred to the Royal Air Force Regiment in their existing substantive, temporary or war substantive ranks and seniority. The retention and withdrawal of acting rank will follow the normal rules. The transfer of suitable officers to the Royal Air Force Regiment will be gazetted as and when selections are made.
Direct entrants who will be commissioned in the RAF Volunteer Reserve (Royal Air Force Regiment) for the duration of the present emergency.
Army officers who may elect to relinquish their army commissions and be appointed to emergency commissions in the RAF Volunteer Reserve (Royal Air Force Regiment).
Airmen who are commissioned on passing out of the
officer cadet training Unit. Commissions will be for the duration of the
present emergency, regular airmen being commissioned in the Royal Air
Force (Royal Air Force Regiment) and others
in the RAF Volunteer Reserve (Royal Air Force Regiment).
A number of army officers who will be loaned by the Army to the Royal Air Force for staff and other duties with the Royal Air Force Regiment.
Airmen: -
Gunner vacancies will be filled by-
airmen already mustered as gunners, group V
aircrafthands, including those now employed on ground defence duties, who are suitable for remustering and willing to be remustered. Particulars of all such airmen are to be forwarded by COs. to the Air Officer i/c Records, Gloucester.
airmen who are redundant in their trades and other
airmen who are willing to serve with the Royal Air Force Regiment
and are recommended for training as gunners. The Air Officer i/c
Records will, from time to time, notify COs. of the
trades from which recommendations may be made.
recruits from civil life. Suitable candidates will be entered as gunners, group V, in the classification of aircraftman 2nd class. Those who for any reason fail to qualify as gunners will be remustered to aircrafthand, group V
PAC operators, group III, will be absorbed in the Royal Air Force Regiment. They will retain their existing mustering and rank.
Vacancies for other airmen will be filled by qualified airmen who are up to the medical standards set out in para. 8 below. On posting to the regiment their documents are to be annotated "Royal Air Force Regiment" following their trade designation.
Medical standards
The standards of medical fitness for the regiment are as follows: -
Officers: - A4B
Hearing: - Forced whisper at ten feet using both ears.
Colour vision: - Normal or colour defective safe.
Visual acuity: - At least 3/60 in each eye without glasses, correctable
to 6/6 with glasses.
Airmen: -
Gunners: - Grade I, grade II (a) feet.
Visual acuity: - 1, 2 or 3.
Colour vision: - Normal or colour defective safe.
Hearing: - Standard I or II
Other airmen: - Grade I, grade II(a) feet, or grade
II
Visual acuity: - 1, 2 or 3.
Colour vision: - Normal or colour defective safe.
Hearing: - Standard I or II
Recommendations for training as, or remustering to,
gunner, group V, must indicate that the airmen concerned have been
medically examined by the station medical officer and that he is
satisfied as to their fitness. Similarly, tradesmen
must be passed fit by the station medical officer before being posted to
the regiment.
Army personnel selected for employment with the Royal Air Force Regiment
Officers: -
Army officers selected for staff appointments, as instructors at the depot or as local defence advisers at certain aerodromes or groups of aerodromes, will be loaned to the Royal Air Force and will retain any acting or temporary rank (or be granted acting rank) appropriate to their appointment. They will be liable to be re-posted for duty by the Army when required, but their return will be subject to the agreement of the Air Ministry.
Army officers who hold permanent commissions in the Regular Army and officers of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers selected for regimental duties will be loaned as at sub-para. (i) above.
Officers of the Territorial Army, the Territorial Army
Reserve of Officers, and the Special Reserve and holders of emergency
commissions, who volunteer and are selected for regimental duties will
be given the option of being loaned as at
sub-para. (i) above or of relinquishing their army commissions and being
commissioned in the RAF Volunteer Reserve (Royal Air Force Regiment)
for the duration of the present emergency. The seniority of those who
exercise the latter option will date from their appointment to a
commission in the RAF Volunteer Reserve (Royal Air Force Regiment)
and they will not be accepted for the Royal Air Force Regiment unless
they are to be allocated to a post therein at least equivalent to their
war substantive rank in the Army.
Note: - Officers in category (iii) above may be required to spend a probationary period on loan before being given the option of transferring to the Royal Air Force Regiment.
Other ranks: - The conditions of service for army NCOs transferred to the Royal Air Force for service with the Royal Air Force Regiment are laid down in AMO A163/42.
Rank titles
Existing RAF rank titles will be adopted. Loaned army personnel will retain their army rank titles.
Uniform
The standard dress for all RAF officers and airmen of the regiment is that of the Royal Air Force, i.e. blue-grey. Loaned army personnel are to wear their army uniform.
When actually on duty the working dress will be RAF heavy duty dress (i.e. of the same pattern as the army battle dress with RAF rank markings and badges). Army pattern equipment is to be worn. This heavy duty dress is to be worn by officers and airmen, including loaned army personnel, but the latter are to wear army badges of rank.
All ranks, including loaned army personnel, are to wear distinguishing arm title badges, consisting of "RAF Regiment " in light blue on a dark blue background, on heavy duty dress, service dress and great coat. Airmen, except warrant officers, are, in addition, to wear the badge, arm, eagle, of the Royal Air Force.
The standard RAF blue-grey great coat is to continue to be worn by RAF personnel.
Airmen are to be provided with waterproof capes and leather jerkins as additional working equipment for wear when-necessary.
The scale of personal clothing and sundries to be provided by officers appointed to commissions in the RAF Volunteer Reserve (Royal Air Force Regiment) will be as laid down in para. 11 of AMO A338/39, except that officers will be required to provide themselves with one suit of heavy duty dress (see AMO A251/42) instead of a second suit, of blue-grey service dress.
The rate of outfit allowance payable to officers appointed to commissions after 19th March, 1942, in the RAF Volunteer Reserve (Royal Air Force Regiment) will be £35. If they are subsequently transferred to ordinary RAF duty, they will be required to provide themselves with a second swit of blue-grey service dress and, will then become entitled to the difference between this rate and the standard rate of f46.
Rates of pay
Officers: -
RAF officers of the regiment will receive pay at the rates set out below, together with allowances at the rates and under the conditions appropriate to other RAF officers: -
| Rank | Daily rate of pay | |
| s | d | |
| Acting pilot officer *Pilot officer *Flying officer After 3 years Flight lieutenant After 3 years After 7 years Squadron leader Wing commander After 3 years After 6 years Group captain Air commodore |
10 19 |
0 10 6 4 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
* Officers commissioned from warrant rank are subject to the general conditions laid down in Air Ministry Orders.
Army officers transferred to the Royal Air Force Regiment will receive pay and allowances at RAF rates and under RAF conditions. If they were commissioned into the Army prior to lst January, 1942, and did not elect to receive the new rates of married allowances announced in Army Order No. 195/41 (see also AMO A911/41), they will be eligible to receive married allowances at the rates appropriate to officers commissioned in the Royal Air Force prior to lst January, 1942, and not at the rates appropriate to officers commissioned on or after that date. Otherwise the conditions in AMO A911/41 will apply to them
Army officers loaned to the regiment will continue to
receive from the army authorities pay and allowances at the rates and
under the conditions appropriate to army officers. They will be eligible
for staff, instructors and command pay, if appropriate, under army
conditions.
Airmen: -
Normal RAF rates of pay and conditions of issue will apply.
(a) Aircrafthands who on remustering to gunner, group V,
fail to retain their existing classification may retain their existing
rate of pay until by reclassification they qualify for a higher rate.
(b) Airmen who are remustered to gunner, group V, under para. 7 (i) (c)
will, if redundant in their trades, be granted the general conditions of
AMO A675/41. Other airmen remustering under that paragraph will be
remustered in the classification attained and receive the pay
appropriate to that classification.
Army warrant officers and NCOs loaned to the Royal Air Force for service with the regiment will continue to be paid at the rates and under the conditions appropriate to their army rank and mustering.
Promotion, reclassification, etc.
Officers: - Until further notice RAF officers will
be eligible for promotion to flying officer, if recommended, after a year's
service as pilot officer. They will be eligible for temporary or acting rank
with pay and allowances in accordance with normal
RAF regulations.
Airmen: -
Gunners: -
On successful completion of training, airmen under training as gunner, group V, will be remustered to gunner in the classification of aircraftman 2nd class. Reclassification to aircraftman 1st class and leading aircraftman will be carried out under local arrangements, subject to trade test; it is important that efficient gunners should be promptly advanced to the classification for which they are qualified, and COs are accordingly to arrange for them to be trade tested at the earliest possible date after they join for duty with a unit of the Royal Air Force Regiment. Promotion to fill establishment vacancies will be effected under the general conditions laid down in AMO A451/39.
Junior and senior NCOs courses have been introduced for airmen mustered as gunners, group V, and, normally, promotion of airmen gunners to NCO rank will be dependent on successful completion of the junior NCOs course for promotion to corporal, and the senior NCOs course for promotion to higher rank. As a temporary measure, however, airmen will be promoted to temporary rank (on probation) to fill establishment vacancies, on the clear understanding that should they fail to complete successfully the appropriate NCOs course at the first opportunity they will revert to their original rank. Temporary rank (on probation) will be converted to temporary rank immediately on successful completion of the appropriate NCOs course; COs. are to submit the names of any NCOs on probation who fail on the course to the AOC the group, who will authorise reduction in rank under para. 504 (1) of KR & ACI
Other airmen: - Airmen other than gunners will be classified and promoted under the gencral conditions of AMO A451/39 and any special conditions relating to their trades which may from time to time be promulgated. Promotion will not be restricted to vacancies in units of the regiment, but, as far as practicable, airmen when promoted will be required to fill regiment vacancies. While primarily employed in their trades they will be trained as gunners, and will at all times be liable to undertake duties as such.
Disposal of airmen found unsuitable for service with the Royal Air Force Regiment
(i)
Aircrafthands at present employed on ground defence duties: - COs are to forward to the Air Officer i/c Records particulars of aircrafthands already employed on ground defence duties who are unwilling or unsuitable to remuster to gunner, group V
All other airmen serving with the regiment: -
On medical grounds: - In the event of airmen being found to be below the prescribed medical standards while serving with the regiment, COs, on the advice of the station medical officer, are immediately to notify the Air Officer i/c Records, Gloucester, to enable disposal instructions to be issued.
For inefficiency: - Airmen who are found to be inefficient, either as gunners or in their trade, are to be reported to the Air Officer i/c Records, Gloucester, in accordance with para. 8 of AMO A646/40.
(ii) Disposal action: - Airmen reported under this paragraph will be re-posted immediately by the Air Officer i/c Records. Where necessary they will be posted to a depot or other selected unit, pending final disposal.
Eligibility for air crew and trade training.
(i) Subject to the exigencies of the service, airmen serving
with the regiment as gunners, if potentially suitable as air crew, will be
eligible to be considered for training and remustering as such.
(ii) Only airmen having special educational or technical qualifications for
one of the skilled trades in groups I or II will normally be accepted for
training in, or remustering to, a ground trade.
(iii) Tradesmen serving with the regiment will be eligible for conversion
training, e.g., armourer to fitter (armourer).
(iv) Gunners, group V, who are given trade training, and tradesmen serving
with the regiment who are given conversion training, will be re-posted to
the regiment if a vacancy exists in the new trade.
(v) Recommendations already held by the Air Officer i/c Records will be
examined immediately and those airmen who are not accepted will be informed
accordingly.
Trade test
The trade tests for reclassification within the trade of gunner, group V, are given in the appendix to this order.
Equipment
War equipment schedules (AP 1918) are being drawn up to show, in respect of each class of unit of the Royal Air Force Regiment-
articles with which the unit will be equipped. These will consist mainly of fighting and maintenance equipment.
articles which will form a station reserve to be held in the station equipment section in respect of each squadron or flight located at that station.
The normal channel of supply will be from the regional universal equipment depot through the station equipment section. In order to assist in ensuring that the fighting and maintenance equipment of squadrons and flights is available on a full scale and in a serviceable condition, each squadron and flight is to maintain a mobile inventory of the equipment in use referred to in para. 20 (i) above. At stations, therefore, where the maintaining of inventories has been suspended during the war, care is to be taken to ensure that inventories (in original only) are specially compiled for units of the Royal Air Force Regiment. No corresponding articles-in-use ledger entries are to be made. The station reserve of equipment will be drawn upon for the day to day maintenance of squadrons and flights. It is to be kept at the approved level by demands raised by the station equipment officer. In the event of a transfer of a squadron or flight to another station, arrangements should be made to transfer the station reserve of equipment, if necessary; the principle being that at every station where there are squadrons or flights of the Royal Air Force Regiment there shall be a corresponding reserve of equipment (see para. 20 (ii) above).
Mechanical transport
The Royal Air Force Regiment Depot will be used to a large
extent for equipping units of the regiment with MT vehicles, and on this
account will rank as a command for the purpose of allotment of vehicles to
and within the Royal Air Force Regiment.
AMO A246/42 will in due course be amended to allow of-
allotment being made in bulk to the Royal Air Force Regiment Depot, for distribution of vehicles as required;
vehicles requiring repairs beyond the unit capacity being cleared through the administrative control of the Royal Air Force Regiment MT Allotment Section.
(AMOs. A271/41, A733/41, A797/41, A817/41 and A258/42 cancelled.)
APPENDIX
STANDARDS OF EFFICIENCY TO BE ATTAINED BY GUNNERS, GROUP V, FOR RECLASSIFICATION TO AIRCRAFTMAN 1ST CLASS AND LEADING AIRCRAFTMAN
For aircraftman 1st class
Drill: - An airman must be able to perform smartly and correctly all ordinary drill movements, both as an individual and as a member of a squad.
Weapon training: - An airman must-
be able to carry out efficiently care and cleaning of rifle and bayonet;
be able to pass the Test of Elementary Training for Rifle;
be able to pass the Test of Elementary Training for all other weapons with which he or his flight is armed;
be able to perform correctly all points, parries and butt strokes in bayonet training, and have carried out training with training stick and on an assault course efficiently;
be able to perform efficiently Immediate Action for automatics with which he or his flight is armed;
have passed the Test of Elementary Training for various types of hand and rifle grenades and have thrown and fired live grenades successfully;
understand the correct procedure before, during and after firing of all weapons with which he or his flight is armed;
have qualified at judging distance;
be efficient at fire discipline training;
have fired range courses with weapons with which he or his flight is armed, and have scored not less than 50 per cent. of the highest possible score.
Field craft: - An airman must-
know field signals;
know the various field formations and his place in them;
be able to use ground efficiently, both as individual cover for firing and inmovement;
be able to act efficiently as a scout to a rifle section.
Field works: - An airman must-
be able to carry and use a pick and shovel correctly;
be able to use cutting tools for clearing the field of fire or for cutting pickets;
have carried out a task of digging a weapon pit or machine gun emplacement;
be able to carry out simple revetment;
understand the principles of camouflage of small field works and the use of simple camouflage materials.
Anti-gas: - An airman must-
have passed his Test of Elementary Training;
know well the different types of alarm and action to be taken thereon;
be able to carry out efficiently personal cleansing and decontamination of his weapons and equipment and any vehicle in use by his unit.
Specialists
Support flights: - An airman must be able to act efficiently as any number in a gun team, and be able to lay and fire the gun, make necessary adjustment to fuzes and carry out all cleaning and maintenance;
Armoured flights: - An airman must be able to carry out care and maintenance of his vehicle, to'act as any member of the crew and to understand and be able to carry out all simple field adjustments to weapons or engine.
General knowledge: - An airman must-
know the organisation of his own unit and, roughly, the organisation of military units with which he is likely to have to co-operate;
know RAF and army badges of rank.8. An airman must be generally a keen, efficient, well turned out and well conducted gunner.
For leading aircraftman
As a leading aircraftman will be regarded as a potential NCO he must display qualities of initiative and leadership. He should, therefore, be given a test to include the following: -
Drill: - Drilling a squad in normal foot and arms drill and demonstrating movements. He will not, however, be required to detail movements or check faults up to the standard expected of an NCO
Weapon training
Explaining routine to be observed before, during and after firing with all weapons with which his flight is armed.
Correcting a faulty aim laid on a rifle rest and stating what the effect of the fault would be.
Giving a fire order in correct sequence to indicate a given target.
Checking the faults of a squad carrying out fire discipline training.
Field craft
Leading a section between two given points, making use of ground and varying formations, approaching an enemy post within decisive range.
Controlling scouts put out by this section.
Correcting faults in his section in selecting individual fire positions.
Field works
Setting out a small working party on a simple task.
Explaining how to carry out simple revetment and camouflage.
Anti-gas
Checking the fitting of a respirator.
Controlling a section in part 2 of personal cleansing.
Specialists
Support flights: - Controlling the fire of a gun and correcting faults made by gun numbers.
Armoured flights: - Supervising maintenance of vehicles and weapons and commanding a vehicle in action.
Source - Air Ministry Order A368/42 dated 15 April 1942.
AMO A368/42 is amended as follows: -
Para. 16, sub-para. (i) (b). Add at end "NCOs and leading aircraftmen who successfully pass through the course of instruction for the training of complete squadrons at the RAF Regiment Depot, may, however, be considered eligible for promotion to temporary rank; they will not be required to undergo one of the NCOs' courses mentioned in this sub-paragraph."
Para. 20, sub-para. (ii). Delete this sub-paragraph.
Para. 21, lines 9 to 15. Delete from "The station " to end of paragraph.
(AMO A368/42, as amended by A492/42, amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A717/42 dated 16 July 1942.
AMO A368/42 is further amended as follows: -
Insert the following new paragraph: -
" Travelling claims of loaned army personnel
14A Travelling claims of loaned army personnel will continue to be payable at rates and under conditions applicable to serving military personnel, by the army authority responsible for the issue of allowances, but the powers of approving the use of private motor vehicles on RAF duty and the payment of 'authorised user ' rates of allowance (see AMO A592/42, as amended by A744/42) will be exercised by RAF COs and AOCs.- in-C, respectively. When military personnel are placed on the list of authorised users, a copy of the initial authority and of subsequent renewals is invariably to be forwarded, to the Officer Commanding, Army Pay Office (Officers' Accounts), Stockport Road, Manchester, in the case of officers, or to the regimental paymaster concerned in the case of other ranks."
(AMO A368/42, as amended by A492/42, amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A755/42 dated 23 July 1942.
AMO A368/42, as amended by A717/42, is further amended as follows: -
Para. 4, sub-paras. (i) to (vi). Delete numbers (i) to (vi) and substitute letters (a) to (f).
Paras. 20, 21 and 22. Delete these paragraphs and substitute: -
"20. The scales of equipment for the RAF Regiment are laid down in AP 1918. These consist mainly of articles of fighting and maintenance equipment which are to be issued from station stores at the depot of the RAF Regiment or at the RAF station at which the unit is located. Irrespective of the system of equipment accounting which is in operation at the station, this equipment is to be recorded on separate 'articles-in-use ' ledger sheets, to be maintained by the station accountant officer, and on a mobile inventory, which is to be kept up to date by the CO of the unit. Forms 748 and 464 are also to be maintained for vehicles issued to the unit. When a unit of the RAF Regiment moves from one station to another the 'articles-in-use ' ledger sheets, mobile inventory and Forms 748 (completed in the next vacant column) are to accompany the unit to the
new station.21. Equipment other than that laid down in AP 1918, including station and barrack equipment, is to be accounted for in accordance with the system of equipment accounting in operation at the station at which the unit of the RAF Regiment is located.
22.
The mechanical transport for the units of the RAF Regiment is laid down in the establishments given in para. 4, sub-para. (i), above. The method of allotment of vehicles to units will follow the normal RAF channels of communication.
The mechanical transport of a unit in the RAF Regiment is a part of that unit essential to the proper carrying out of its functions as a mobile striking force. The unit commander must therefore be responsible for the maintenance of his vehicles in a serviceable condition by arrangement with the MT section, through the station commander. The operational control of vehicles on the RAF Regiment establishment is vested in the local RAF Regiment unit commander, notwithstanding that for purposes of equipment accounting they are on the charge of the station and for maintenance are attached to the station MT section.
The RAF system of inspection and maintenance of vehicles is to be followed in the Regiment. Instructions as to the application of this system and as to the detailed administration of unit MT will be published shortly."
(AMO A368/42, as amended by A492/42 and A717/42, amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A875/42 dated 27 August 1942.
AMO A368/42 is amended as follows: -
Para. 13, sub-para. (ii), line 2. ' After "conditions." insert ".They will, however, reckon their army service in the paid rank held on transfer equally with RAF service for increase of pay in the equivalent (or a lower) rank on the RAF scale. Army officers so transferred will be eligible to receive the army rate appropriate to their substantive or war substantive rank held on transfer, if more favourable, until such time as the RAF scale becomes more favourable."
(AMO A368/42 amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A1004/42 dated 17 September 1942.
Constitution of the RAF Regiment and Functions of the Commandant
With reference to AMO A368/42, the following additional information regarding the RAF Regiment is promulgated.
Constitution: -
The RAF Regiment has been formed to perform a special service, i.e. ground defence, for the Royal Air Force, and is therefore constituted as a "Service" as defined in paras. 1 to 9 of chapter VIII of the RAF War Manual (AP 1301), Part II It consists of homogeneous units of fighting troops and appropriate supervisory staffs distributed through the normal RAF chain of command, thus providing a nucleus for the organisation of ground defence throughout the service.
The formation of the RAF Regiment, however, in no way affects the necessity for every officer and airman to be trained for a ground fighting role, and to be ready to play his part in the defence of his station and in the destruction of enemy forces on the ground whenever the need arises (see AMO N373/42).
Functions of the Commandant: -
The Commandant is not a commander in the full sense of
that term, in that he will not exercise any operational control of the
units of the Regiment in action. He is, however, responsible to the Air
Council for the efficiency
of the Regiment for its particular role, and for general supervision and
control of the policy governing its internal affairs. He has the status,
functions and responsibilities of a head of a service as defined in AP
1301, chapter VIII, paras. 4, 5 and 8, and exercises his powers through
senior officers of the Regiment appointed to the staffs of commands and
groups.
The main functions of the Commandant may be defined as follows: -
The issue of instructions with regard to the internal organisation, technical administration, tactics and training of formed units of the Regiment.
Inspection, both personally and through his representatives at commands and groups, of units of the Regiment allotted to stations.
Training and courses of instruction at the RAF Regiment Depot and training schools are the responsibilities of the Air Member for Training.
Source - Air Ministry Order A718/42 dated 16 July 1942.
The Royal Air Force Regiment-Constitution, Organisation and Functions, etc.
Junior and senior NCO courses have now ceased and, as a consequence, promotion to fill establishment vacancies will in future be made in accordance with normal procedure.
All suitable airmen holding the temporary rank of corporal or sergeant on probation are accordingly to be confirmed in their rank forthwith.
AMO A368/42 is accordingly further amended as follows: -
Para. 16, sub-para. (i) (b) (as amended by A717/42). Delete this sub-paragraph.
(AMO A368/42, as amended by A492/42, A717/42, A755/42, A911/42, A975/42, and A1004/42, amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A1079/42 dated 8 October 1942.
The Royal Air Force Regiment-Constitution, Organisation and Functions, etc.
In future, whore an airman of the RAF Regiment has a medical grading acceptable for service with the RAF Regiment, he is not to be remustered on medical grounds but his case is to be dealt with as provided in KR & ACI, para. 1446, clause 2 (g).
AMO A368/42 is accordingly further amended as follows: -
Para. 17, sub-para. (i) (b) (1). Delete this sub-paragraph and substitute: -
"1. On medical grounds: - In the event of an airman's physical fitness for employment with the RAF Regiment being called into question, he is to be medically examined by the station medical officer and, if necessary, the case is to be referred to the air or other officer commanding for decision, as laid down in KR & ACI, para. 1446, clause 2 (g)."
(AMO A368/42, as amended by A492/42, A717/42, A755/42, A911/42, A975/42, A1004/42 and A1092/42, amended.)
Source - Air Ministry Order A1238/42 dated 19 November 1942.
RAF Regiment Weapons -
Servicing Responsibilities
Unit commanders of the RAF Regiment are responsible to their
station commanders for the safe custody, day to day serviceability and
cleanliness of regiment weapons. Station armament officers are responsible
to their station commanders for
the major servicing and repair of these weapons. Liaison between the unit
commander of the RAF Regiment and the station armament officer is therefore
essential if weapons are to be kept in a serviceable condition and the
technical resources of the unit are not to be overtaxed.
In accordance with para. 1 above, responsibility is allocated as follows: -
The unit commander, RAF Regiment: -
Safe custody and cleanliness of RAF Regiment weapons, daily inspections, simple adjustments and rectification of minor defects (see para. 3 below).
Reporting defects in defence armament to the station armament officer.
Instruction of regiment personnel in the use of weapons.
Safe custody of ammunition, grenades, etc, held by the unit when the unit is detached and out of reach of station facilities.
Ensuring that regiment personnel comply with the range orders of the station armament officer, when they are using station ranges or stop butts.
The station armament officer: -
Major inspection, modification and repair of all ground defence armament (see para. 4 below).
Routine acceptance test of all weapons on their receipt by a unit.
Courses of instruction for armoury personnel in the servicing and repair of weapons used by the RAF Regiment.(d) The issue of range orders including all the necessary safety precautions when station ranges and stop butts are used for defence training.
Submission of returns, forms and technical reports on defence weapons and retention of inspection records.
The rectification of minor defects mentioned in para. 2, sub-para. (i) (a), above will comprise: -
replacement of component parts of small arms;
adjustment of pull-offs and protrusion of firing-pins;
repair of furniture of small arms;
zeroing of rifles;
de-nickelling of barrels;
use of gauze in the cleaning of barrels;
removal of broken pull-throughs.
This work is to be done by RAF Regiment personnel who have undergone a special course in the servicing of ground defence weapons.
The major inspection, modification and repair of all ground
defence armament mentioned in para. 2, sub-para. (ii) (a), above, is to be
done by armourers and fitters, armourer, of the station armament section.
Such work will normally be done within
the station armoury, but where, owing to the nature of the weapon concerned,
it is necessary for work to be done on site, the RAF Regiment unit commander
is so to arrange with the station armament officer.
Source - Air Ministry Order A1375/42 dated 24 December 1942.
Title
Text
Source - Air Ministry Order A1375/42 dated 24 December 1942.
This entry was last updated on 10/06/26©
