RAF Middle East Command
Encyclopedia
Middle East Command was a command
of the Royal Air Force
(RAF) formed on December 29, 1941 by renaming Headquarters RAF Middle East. During the early part of the Second World War the Command was one of the three major British service commands in the Middle East, the others being the British Army
's Middle East Command
and the Royal Navy
's Mediterranean Fleet
.
On February 15, 1943, the command became a major sub-command of the Mediterranean Air Command
(MAC), the Allied
formation that included also non-RAF units.
of the British Army
, with operational responsibility for Egypt, the Sudan, and Kenya, and administrative responsibility for Palestine and Transjordan. Separate RAF Commands held operational responsibility for Iraq and Aden while the RAF Mediterranean Command held responsibility for Malta
. However, interwar planning held that in times of war, Middle East Command would assume control over all of these commands.
From mid-February until MAC was disbanded on December 10, 1943, the Command consisted of the following sub-commands with their initial commanders indicated:
However, during this period of World War II
, Middle East Command was distinct from the other major sub-commands of MAC:
Accordingly, Middle East Command was primarily responsible for operations in the Eastern part of the Middle East during World War II.
It was during the critical campaigns in Egypt and Libya
during 1942 that Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder, as Air Commander-in-Chief of RAF Middle East, successfully coordinated his strategic, coastal, and tactical air forces consisting primarily of No. 205 (Heavy Bomber) Group
, No. 201 (Naval Co-operation) Group
, and especially Air Vice Marshal Arthur Coningham
's Air Headquarters (AHQ) Western Desert
, respectively. The success of the Tedder-Coningham air interdiction during the desert war was the model upon which the Northwest African Air Forces
were created at the Casablanca Conference in January 1943.
Earlier, Tedder had been Churchill's default choice as Air Officer Commanding in Chief of RAF Middle East when his first choice, Air Vice-Marshal Owen Boyd
was captured. But soon after Tedder assumed command in June 1941, he made the following statement that not only characterized his mission in the Middle East, but the organization of the Mediterranean Air Command
in early 1943 and nearly all future air forces:
The concept itself was certainly not a new one, but putting it into practice under the military dogma and commander egos of the day was easier said than done. Throughout 1942 in particular, the coordination and flexibility exercised between Coningham's Western Desert Air Force (WDAF)
and the 8th Army
has been contrasted with the more rigid relationship between the Luftwaffe and German ground forces. During the first week of July, 1942, WDAF flew 5,458 sorties against Axis forces, using the innovative tactic of leap-frogging airfields, and Erwin Rommel
informed Berlin on July 4 that he was abandoning his El Alamein offensive
to concentrate on defense. Later, the tactic of bombing known as Tedder's carpet was developed.
(MAC), the official Allied
air force reorganization established at the Casablanca Conference in January 1943. Douglas took over Middle East Command when its previous commander, Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder was named Air Commander-in-Chief of MAC. For Middle East operations, Tedder reported to the British Chiefs of Staff.
on August 1, 1945.
RAF Middle East (Air Officer's Commanding in Chief)
Middle East Command
Command (military formation)
A command in military terminology is an organisational unit that the individual in Military command has responsibility for. A Commander will normally be specifically appointed into the role in order to provide a legal framework for the authority bestowed...
of the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF) formed on December 29, 1941 by renaming Headquarters RAF Middle East. During the early part of the Second World War the Command was one of the three major British service commands in the Middle East, the others being the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
's Middle East Command
Middle East Command
The Middle East Command was a British Army Command established prior to the Second World War in Egypt. Its primary role was to command British land forces and co-ordinate with the relevant naval and air commands to defend British interests in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean region.The...
and the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
's Mediterranean Fleet
Mediterranean Fleet
Several countries have or have had a Mediterranean Fleet in their navy. See:* Mediterranean Fleet * French Mediterranean Fleet* Mediterranean Squadron * United States Sixth Fleet...
.
On February 15, 1943, the command became a major sub-command of the Mediterranean Air Command
Mediterranean Air Command
The Mediterranean Air Command was the official Allied air force command organization in the North African and Mediterranean Theater of Operations between February 18 and December 10, 1943. MAC was commanded by Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder whose headquarters were established next to those...
(MAC), the Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
formation that included also non-RAF units.
RAF History in the Middle East
The RAF presence in the Middle East from the time of the First World War was similar to that of the Middle East CommandMiddle East Command
The Middle East Command was a British Army Command established prior to the Second World War in Egypt. Its primary role was to command British land forces and co-ordinate with the relevant naval and air commands to defend British interests in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean region.The...
of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, with operational responsibility for Egypt, the Sudan, and Kenya, and administrative responsibility for Palestine and Transjordan. Separate RAF Commands held operational responsibility for Iraq and Aden while the RAF Mediterranean Command held responsibility for Malta
AHQ Malta
AHQ Malta was an overseas command of the Royal Air Force established on December 28, 1941 by renaming RAF Mediterranean under Air Vice Marshal Hugh Lloyd....
. However, interwar planning held that in times of war, Middle East Command would assume control over all of these commands.
From mid-February until MAC was disbanded on December 10, 1943, the Command consisted of the following sub-commands with their initial commanders indicated:
- No. 201 (Naval Co-Operation) GroupNo. 201 Group RAFNo. 201 Group was a group of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.-History:No. 201 Group RAF was formed on 18 September 1939 from General Reconnaissance Group, Middle East of the Royal Air Force . The group was initially commanded by Group Captain H.W.G. Penderel. On May 11, 1940, Group...
under Air Vice Marshal Thomas Langford-SainsburyThomas Langford-SainsburyAir Vice-Marshal Thomas Audley Langford-Sainsbury CB OBE DFC AFC was a senior Royal Air Force officer who commanded British Air Forces in Egypt during World War II.-RAF career:...
; - Air Headquarters (AHQ) Air Defences Eastern MediterraneanAir H.Q. Air Defences Eastern MediterraneanAir Headquarters Air Defences Eastern Mediterranean was a sub-command of RAF Middle East Command which itself was a sub-command of the Mediterranean Air Command during World War II. Air H.Q...
under Air Vice Marshal Richard SaulRichard SaulAir Vice-Marshal Richard Ernest Saul CB, DFC, RAF was a pilot during World War I and a senior Royal Air Force commander during World War II.- Earlier Years :Saul was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1891...
; - 9th Air Force under Major General Lewis H. BreretonLewis H. BreretonLewis Hyde Brereton was a military aviation pioneer and lieutenant general in the United States Air Force...
; - Headquarters (HQ) British Forces AdenH.Q. British Forces, AdenH.Q. British Forces, Aden was a command of the Royal Air Force established on April 14, 1942 by renaming the Aden Command. The components of H.Q. British Forces, Aden are indicated below for two dates during World War II.H.Q...
under Air Vice Marshal Frank MacNamara VC (RAAF); - Air Headquarters (AHQ) East Africa under Air Vice Marshal Harold KerbyHarold KerbyAir Vice-Marshal Harold Spencer Kerby CB DSC AFC was a senior Royal Air Force officer who commanded British Air Forces in East Africa during World War II.-RAF career:...
; - Air Headquarters (AHQ) Levant under Air Commodore Bernard McEntegart; and
- Air Headquarters (AHQ) Iraq and Persia under Air Vice Marshal Hugh Champion de CrespignyHugh Champion de CrespignyAir Vice-Marshal Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny CB MC DFC was a senior Royal Air Force officer who commanded British Air Forces in Iraq during World War II.-RAF career:...
However, during this period of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Middle East Command was distinct from the other major sub-commands of MAC:
- Northwest African Air ForcesNorthwest African Air ForcesNorthwest African Air Forces was the principal sub-command of the Mediterranean Air Command created when the Allied air forces in North Africa and the Mediterranean Theater of Operations were reorganized in February of 1943...
under Lieutenant General Carl SpaatzCarl SpaatzCarl Andrew "Tooey" Spaatz GBE was an American World War II general and the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. He was of German descent.-Early life:...
; - AHQ MaltaAHQ MaltaAHQ Malta was an overseas command of the Royal Air Force established on December 28, 1941 by renaming RAF Mediterranean under Air Vice Marshal Hugh Lloyd....
under Air Vice Marshal Sir Keith ParkKeith ParkAir Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park GCB, KBE, MC & Bar, DFC, RAF was a New Zealand soldier, First World War flying ace and Second World War Royal Air Force commander...
; and - RAF GibraltarRAF GibraltarRoyal Air Force Station Gibraltar, better known as RAF Gibraltar and formally as North Front, is a Royal Air Force station on Gibraltar. No military aircraft are currently stationed there, but there are regular visits...
under Air Vice Marshal Sturley SimpsonSturley SimpsonAir Vice-Marshal Sturley Philip Simpson CB, CBE, MC, RAF was a senior Royal Air Force commander.-RAF career:Simpson was commissioned into the Bedfordshire Regiment in 1915 during World War I. Awarded the Military Cross in 1927, he was appointed Officer Commanding No. 4 Squadron in 1930 and Station...
.
Accordingly, Middle East Command was primarily responsible for operations in the Eastern part of the Middle East during World War II.
It was during the critical campaigns in Egypt and Libya
North African campaign
During the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had...
during 1942 that Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder, as Air Commander-in-Chief of RAF Middle East, successfully coordinated his strategic, coastal, and tactical air forces consisting primarily of No. 205 (Heavy Bomber) Group
No. 205 Group RAF
No. 205 Group was a long-range, heavy bomber group of the Royal Air Force established on October 23, 1941 by boosting No. 257 Wing to Group status....
, No. 201 (Naval Co-operation) Group
No. 201 Group RAF
No. 201 Group was a group of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.-History:No. 201 Group RAF was formed on 18 September 1939 from General Reconnaissance Group, Middle East of the Royal Air Force . The group was initially commanded by Group Captain H.W.G. Penderel. On May 11, 1940, Group...
, and especially Air Vice Marshal Arthur Coningham
Arthur Coningham (RAF officer)
Air Marshal Sir Arthur "Mary" Coningham KCB, KBE, DSO, MC, DFC, AFC, RAF was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force. During the First World War, he was at Gallipoli with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, where he became a flying ace...
's Air Headquarters (AHQ) Western Desert
Desert Air Force
The Desert Air Force , also known chronologically as Air Headquarters Western Desert, Air Headquarters Libya, AHQ Western Desert, the Western Desert Air Force, Desert Air Force, and the First Tactical Air Force , was an Allied tactical air force initially created from No...
, respectively. The success of the Tedder-Coningham air interdiction during the desert war was the model upon which the Northwest African Air Forces
Northwest African Air Forces
Northwest African Air Forces was the principal sub-command of the Mediterranean Air Command created when the Allied air forces in North Africa and the Mediterranean Theater of Operations were reorganized in February of 1943...
were created at the Casablanca Conference in January 1943.
Earlier, Tedder had been Churchill's default choice as Air Officer Commanding in Chief of RAF Middle East when his first choice, Air Vice-Marshal Owen Boyd
Owen Tudor Boyd
Air Marshal Owen Tudor Boyd CB, OBE, MC, AFC was an officer in the British Royal Flying Corps during most of World War I...
was captured. But soon after Tedder assumed command in June 1941, he made the following statement that not only characterized his mission in the Middle East, but the organization of the Mediterranean Air Command
Mediterranean Air Command
The Mediterranean Air Command was the official Allied air force command organization in the North African and Mediterranean Theater of Operations between February 18 and December 10, 1943. MAC was commanded by Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder whose headquarters were established next to those...
in early 1943 and nearly all future air forces:
"In my opinion, sea, land and air operations in the Middle East Theater are now so closely inter-related that effective coordination will only be possible if the campaign is considered and controlled as a combined operation in the full sense of that term."
The concept itself was certainly not a new one, but putting it into practice under the military dogma and commander egos of the day was easier said than done. Throughout 1942 in particular, the coordination and flexibility exercised between Coningham's Western Desert Air Force (WDAF)
Desert Air Force
The Desert Air Force , also known chronologically as Air Headquarters Western Desert, Air Headquarters Libya, AHQ Western Desert, the Western Desert Air Force, Desert Air Force, and the First Tactical Air Force , was an Allied tactical air force initially created from No...
and the 8th Army
Eighth Army (United Kingdom)
The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations of the British Army during World War II, fighting in the North African and Italian campaigns....
has been contrasted with the more rigid relationship between the Luftwaffe and German ground forces. During the first week of July, 1942, WDAF flew 5,458 sorties against Axis forces, using the innovative tactic of leap-frogging airfields, and Erwin Rommel
Erwin Rommel
Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel , popularly known as the Desert Fox , was a German Field Marshal of World War II. He won the respect of both his own troops and the enemies he fought....
informed Berlin on July 4 that he was abandoning his El Alamein offensive
First Battle of El Alamein
The First Battle of El Alamein was a battle of the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War, fought between Axis forces of the Panzer Army Africa commanded by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, and Allied forces The First Battle of El Alamein (1–27 July 1942) was a battle of the Western Desert...
to concentrate on defense. Later, the tactic of bombing known as Tedder's carpet was developed.
1943
On February 15, 1943, the Command under Air Chief Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas became a major sub-command of the Mediterranean Air CommandMediterranean Air Command
The Mediterranean Air Command was the official Allied air force command organization in the North African and Mediterranean Theater of Operations between February 18 and December 10, 1943. MAC was commanded by Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder whose headquarters were established next to those...
(MAC), the official Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
air force reorganization established at the Casablanca Conference in January 1943. Douglas took over Middle East Command when its previous commander, Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder was named Air Commander-in-Chief of MAC. For Middle East operations, Tedder reported to the British Chiefs of Staff.
1945
Middle East Command was absorbed into RAF Mediterranean and Middle EastNear East Air Force (Royal Air Force)
The former Royal Air Force Near East Air Force, more simply known as RAF Near East Air Force, was the Command organisation that controlled all Royal Air Force assets in the Western Mediterranean .-History:...
on August 1, 1945.
Commanders-in-Chief
RAF Middle East- Air Vice Marshal Edward EllingtonEdward Leonard EllingtonMarshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Edward Leonard Ellington GCB, CMG, CBE was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force...
, April 1, 1922 - Air Vice Marshal Oliver SwannOliver SwannAir Vice Marshal Sir Oliver Swann KCB, CBE, RAF , born Oliver Schwann, was a leading figure in the Royal Naval Air Service and senior commander in the Royal Air Force during the first half of the 20th century....
, November 27, 1923 - Air Vice Marshal Tom Webb-BowenTom Webb-BowenAir Vice-Marshal Sir Tom Ince Webb-Bowen KCB, CMG, RAF was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force during the first half of the 20th century.-RAF career:...
, November 5, 1926 - Air Vice Marshal Francis ScarlettFrancis Rowland ScarlettAir Vice Marshal Francis Rowland Scarlett CB, DSO, RAF was a senior Royal Air Force commander.-Military career:Scarlett joined the Royal Navy in 1891 and in April 1913 he attended the Central Flying School, being awarded his Aviator's Certificate no. 468 on 4 April 1913...
, October 12, 1929 - Air Vice Marshal Cyril NewallCyril Newall, 1st Baron NewallMarshal of the Royal Air Force Cyril Louis Norton Newall, 1st Baron Newall GCB OM GCMG CBE AM , was a British soldier and airman, who headed the Royal Air Force as the Chief of the Air Staff during the early part of the Second World War before serving as the sixth Governor-General of New Zealand...
, September 26, 1931 - Air Vice Marshal Cuthbert MacLeanCuthbert MacLeanAir Vice Marshal Cuthbert Trelawder MacLean CB DSO MC was a Royal Air Force officer who became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at Middle East Command.-RAF career:...
, September 21, 1934 - Air Vice Marshal Hazelton NichollHazelton NichollAir Vice Marshal Sir Hazelton Robson Nicholl KBE CB was a Royal Air Force officer who became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at Middle East Command.-RAF career:...
, March 10, 1938
RAF Middle East (Air Officer's Commanding in Chief)
- Air Marshal - Air Chief Marshal Sir William MitchellWilliam Mitchell (RAF officer)Air Chief Marshal Sir William Gore Sutherland Mitchell, KCB, CBE, DSO, MC, AFC was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force and the first RAF officer to hold the post of Black Rod.-RAF career:...
, April 1, 1939 - Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur LongmoreArthur LongmoreAir Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Murray Longmore GCB, DSO was an early naval aviator, before reaching high rank in the Royal Air Force.-Biography:...
, May 13, 1940 - Air Marshal - Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur TedderArthur Tedder, 1st Baron TedderMarshal of the Royal Air Force Arthur William Tedder, 1st Baron Tedder, GCB was a senior British air force commander. During the First World War, he was a pilot and squadron commander in the Royal Flying Corps and he went on to serve as a senior officer in the Royal Air Force during the inter-war...
, June 1, 1941
Middle East Command
- Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur TedderArthur Tedder, 1st Baron TedderMarshal of the Royal Air Force Arthur William Tedder, 1st Baron Tedder, GCB was a senior British air force commander. During the First World War, he was a pilot and squadron commander in the Royal Flying Corps and he went on to serve as a senior officer in the Royal Air Force during the inter-war...
, December 29, 1941 - Air Chief Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas, January 11, 1943
- Air Marshal Sir Keith ParkKeith ParkAir Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park GCB, KBE, MC & Bar, DFC, RAF was a New Zealand soldier, First World War flying ace and Second World War Royal Air Force commander...
, June 14, 1944 - Air Marshal Sir Charles MedhurstCharles MedhurstAir Chief Marshal Sir Charles Edward Hastings Medhurst KCB OBE MC was a First World War Royal Flying Corps pilot on the Western Front and later a senior officer in the Royal Air Force.-RAF career:...
, February 8, 1945