The British experience of warfare, c1790–1918 - 5 The war in the air,…

The idea

The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) began in 1912 as a small reconnaissance arm, but rapidly developed into a structured fighting force. Its growth involved massive increases in personnel, aircraft and command structure, culminating in its merger with the RNAS to form the Royal Air Force (RAF) on 1 April 1918. Technology drove air combat: advances in engine power and synchronised machine guns transformed aircraft into effective fighters and bombers, while wireless radio revolutionised reconnaissance and artillery spotting. By 1918, air power contributed to victory through ground attack and strategic bombing. The scale of this expansion is evident in the RAF possessing over 20,000 aircraft and approximately 291,000 personnel by the Armistice.

What earns the marks

• Explains how the RFC grew from a small pre-war force into a large, structured fighting force with distinct squadrons, wings and brigades, leading to the creation of the Royal Air Force in April 1918.
• Analyses the importance of technology such as improved engines and synchronised machine guns in enabling fighting and bombing, and wireless radio for reconnaissance and artillery spotting.
• Assesses the importance of air power in achieving victory in 1918 through roles such as artillery spotting, contact patrols, ground attack and strategic bombing, and evaluates the extent of its contribution.
• Uses specific examples, such as the Battle of Amiens in August 1918, to illustrate how air power supported ground operations and contributed to Allied advances.
• Evaluates different interpretations of the significance of air power, considering factors like German air resistance, weather, and the continued primacy of ground forces.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Attributing end-of-war personnel and aircraft figures to the RFC.

  Put it right: The RFC ceased to exist on 1 April 1918; the figures of over 20,000 aircraft and approximately 291,000 personnel by the Armistice belong to the newly formed RAF.

• Overstating the decisiveness of strategic bombing by 1918.

  Put it right: Acknowledge that while bombing had some effect, its impact on victory was limited compared to tactical air support and ground operations.

• Assuming the RFC was a large, modern force from the start of the war.

  Put it right: Recognise that in 1914 it had fewer than 100 aircraft and grew gradually in response to wartime demands.

Exam tips

• When discussing technology, link specific innovations to their effects on combat roles, such as how synchronised guns made fighters more effective.
• Use precise dates and names, such as the formation of the RAF on 1 April 1918, to demonstrate secure knowledge and avoid conflating the RFC with the RAF.