Air Battalion Royal Engineers

Air Battalion Royal Engineers

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Air Battalion


caption=
start_date= 1 April 1911
country= United Kingdom
allegiance=
branch=
type=
role=
size=
command_structure= Royal Engineers
garrison= Farnborough Airfield
garrison_label= Headquarters
equipment=
equipment_label=
nickname=
motto=
colors=
colors_label=
march=
mascot=
battles=
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=
commander1= Sir Alexander Bannerman
commander1_label= Commander
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
colonel_of_the_regiment_label=
notable_commanders=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=
identification_symbol_2=
identification_symbol_2_label=
aircraft_attack=
aircraft_bomber=
aircraft_electronic=
aircraft_fighter=
aircraft_interceptor=
aircraft_recon=
aircraft_patrol=
aircraft_trainer=
aircraft_transport=
aircraft_helicopter=

The Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers was the first flying unit of the British Armed Forces to make use of heavier-than-air craft. It evolved into the Royal Flying Corps which in turn evolved into the Royal Air Force.

Establishment

In 1911, following the growth in early aviation activity, the War Office issued instructions for the School of Ballooning, which had originally been formed in 1888, to be expanded into a battalion. An order was issued on 28 February 1911 for the formation of the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers effective 1 April the same year. The initial establishment was 14 officers and 150 other ranks. Officers could be selected from any branch of the service whereas other ranks were selected from the Corps of Royal Engineers.

Pilots had to already have earned a Royal Aero Club certificate from a private flying school. The GBP 75 charge for flight training was reimbursed only if the student passed the course.

tructure and activities

The battalion comprised two companies and a headquarters located at Farnborough. The first commander of the Air Battalion was Major Sir Alexander Bannerman. No. 1 Company was equipped with airships and was under the command of Captain Edward Maitland. No. 1 Company was located with the headquarters at Farnborough. Maitland was an experienced balloon and airship pioneer. He also helped pioneer the parachute and in 1913 made the first parachute jump from an airship. No. 2 Company was equipped with aeroplanes and was commanded by Captain John Fulton. No. 2 Company was located at Larkhill on the Salisbury Plain. Fulton, a mechanical engineer from the Royal Field Artillery, had been an early enthusiast of military flying and had attended the world's first air show at Rheims in 1909. He had earned his pilots certificate, number 27, on 15 November 1910.

Creation of the Royal Flying Corps

In October 1911, the Italians used aircraft in combat against the Turks in Tripoli. This led to the formation of a sub-committee of the British Imperial Defence Staff to recommend policy for the future of British military flying. The committee recommended the formation of a separate flying corps and on 12 April 1912 the Royal Flying Corps was created.

External links

* [http://www.remuseum.org.uk/specialism/rem_spec_aero.htm Royal Engineers Museum] Royal Engineers and Aeronautics
* [http://www.remuseum.org.uk/rem_his_special.htm#aero Royal Engineers Museum] Origins of the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force
* [http://www.remuseum.org.uk/corpshistory/rem_corps_part8.htm#equip Royal Engineers Museum] Early British Military Ballooning (1863)

succession box
before=School of Ballooning
title=Air Battalion
years=1911-1912
after=Royal Flying Corps


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Royal Engineers — British Army Arms and Services Combat Arms Royal Armoured Corps Infantry Guards Division Scottish Division …   Wikipedia

  • Royal Engineers — Corps of Royal Engineers Insigne des Royal Engineers Période XVe siècle aujourd hui Pays …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Royal Aero Club — The Royal Aero Club (RAeC) is the national co ordinating body for Air Sport in the United Kingdom.The Aero Club was founded in 1901 by Frank Hedges Butler, his daughter Vera and the Hon Charles Rolls (one of the founders of Rolls Royce). It was… …   Wikipedia

  • 131 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers — Articleissues expand = September 2008 expert = September 2008 wikify = September 2008131 Independent Commando Squadron RE (Volunteers) is an Army reserve unit of the British Territorial Army which is affiliated to 24 Commando Regiment Royal… …   Wikipedia

  • Royal Flying Corps — For the computer game, see Flying Corps. Royal Flying Corps …   Wikipedia

  • Royal Corps of Signals — The Royal Corps of Signals (often simply known as the Royal Signals) is one of the combat support arms of the British Army. It is responsible for installing, maintaining and operating all types of telecommunications equipment and information… …   Wikipedia

  • Royal Military College of Canada — Motto Truth, Duty, Valour Established 1876 Type …   Wikipedia

  • Royal Marines — Royal Marine Corps Crest Active 1664 – Present Country …   Wikipedia

  • Timeline of the Royal Air Force — 1900 1918: The origins of the Royal Air Force*1901 **29 October The Aero Club of Great Britain is established. In the following years many early military pilots were trained by members of the Club. *1905 **27 April Sapper Moreton of the British… …   Wikipedia

  • Royal Jordanian Land Force — is part of the Jordanian Armed forces (JAF).Historical BackgroundOn June 10, 1916 Sherif Hussien Bin Ali prince of Mecca, had officially declared the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire for ridding Arab nations from the Turkish rule that …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”