Royal Auxiliary Air Force

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surnames/tags: Military_and_War World_War_II

By March 1939, 21 flying squadrons had been formed, the 20 surviving units being incorporated into the Royal Air Force at the outbreak of war. The squadrons were equipped with a variety of operational aircraft which included Hurricanes and Spitfires. The squadrons scored a number of notable successes before and during the Second World War: the first flight over Mount Everest, the first German aircraft destroyed over British territorial waters - and over the mainland, the first U-boat to be destroyed with the aid of airborne radar, the first kill of a V-1 flying bomb; the first to be equipped with jet-powered aircraft, and the highest score of any British night fighter squadron. In the Battle of Britain, the AAF provided 14 of the 62 Squadrons in RAF Fighter Command's Order of Battle and accounted for approximately 30% of the accredited enemy kills. The losses sustained during the Battle of Britain were replaced by drafting in regular and RAFVR pilots.

The Tactical Air Force squadrons were chosen to carry out several successful ultra low-level raids on key 'pin-point' targets in occupied Europe. The Balloon Squadrons also played their part, downing and deterring many hostile aircraft and were accredited with the destruction of 279 V1 flying bombs.

The Auxiliary Air Force was also responsible for the anti-aircraft balloon defences of the UK. Balloon Command was formed on 1 November 1938 at RAF Stanmore Park in Middlesex. It consisted of a headquarters and several groups. Balloon Command was disbanded in February 1945.

At the outbreak of war in 1939 there were about 42 Squadrons operating barrage balloons, with the number of squadrons peaking at about 102 in 1944.

Barrage Balloon Squadrons.

Balloon Command was the Royal Air Force command responsible for controlling all the United Kingdom-based barrage balloon units during World War II.

No. 901 (County of London) Balloon Squadron AAF 16 May 1938 5 Flights of 9 balloons Woolwich, Abbey Wood, Kidbrooke
No. 902 (County of London) Balloon Squadron AAF 16 May 1938 5 Flights of 9 balloonsKidbrooke, Brixton
No. 903 (County of London) Balloon Squadron AAF 16 May 1938 - Unknown 1944 5 Flights of 9 balloons.Amalgamated with 902 Sqn.Brixton / Forest Hill
No. 904 (County of Surrey) Balloon Squadron AAF 16 May 1938 5 Flights of 9 balloonsClapham
No. 905 (County of Surrey) Balloon Squadron AAF 16 May 1938 - Unknown 1944 5 Flights of 9 balloons. Amalgamated with 901 SqnKensington, Clapham
No. 906 (County of Middlesex) Balloon Squadron AAF 7 Jul 1938 5 Flights of 9 balloonsHampstead, Kensington
No. 907 (County of Middlesex) Balloon Squadron AAF 16 May 1938 5 Flights of 9 balloonsHarringay / Woodberry Down
No. 908 (County of Essex) Balloon Squadron AAF5 Jul 1938 5 Flights of 9 balloonsWanstead, Harringay
No. 909 (County of Essex) Balloon Squadron AAF 16 May 1938 5 Flights of 9 balloonsWest Ham, East Ham
No. 910 (County of Essex) Balloon Squadron AAF5 Jul 1938 5 Flights of 9 balloons, (3 Water-borne (Aug 1940))Dagenham, East Ham.
No. 911 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 – Unknown 4 Flights of 8 balloons (48 balloons in Aug 1940)West Bromwich, Chelmsford, Erdington (Dec 1943).
No. 912 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 -Unknown 4 Flights of 8 balloons (24 balloons in Aug 1940)Brockworth, Gloucester.
No. 913 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 -Unknown 3 Flights of 8 balloonsErdington / Sutton Coldfield, Chelmsford
No. 914 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 - pre Jun 1944 4 Flights of 8 balloons (40 balloons in Aug 1940)Wythall / Northfield.
No. 915 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 -Unknown 4 Flights of 8 balloons (40 balloons in Aug 1940)Bourneville / Rowkeath, Chelmsford.
No. 916 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 – Unknown, Jun 1944 - Unknown 3 Flights of 8 balloons (32 balloons in Aug 1940) CoventryReformed for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 917 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 - pre Jun 1944 3 Flights of 8 balloonsCoventry
No. 918 (County of Derby) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 - pre Jun 1944 3 Flights of 8 balloons ( 32 balloons in Aug 1940)Derby / Alveston.
No. 919 (West Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 - pre Jun 1944 4 Flights of 8 balloons. (52 balloons (12 Water-borne) in Aug 1940)Birkenhead.
No. 920 Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 - pre Dec 1943 4 Flights of 8 balloons (A & B Flights later 12 balloons each, C & D retained 8 each)Derry
No. 921 (West Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 - 20 Feb 1943 3 Flights of 8 balloons (48 balloons in Aug 1940)Liverpool / Fazakerley.
No. 922 (West Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 - pre Dec 1943 4 Flights of 8 balloonsWarrington / Curerdley
No. 923 (West Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 - Unknown, Jun 1944 - Unknown 4 Flights of 8 balloonsRuncorn / BirkenheadReformed for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 924 Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 Unknown 4 Flights of 8 balloons (24 balloons in Aug 1940)Southampton / Eastleigh.
No. 925 (East Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 - pre Jun 1944 3 Flights of 8 balloons (40 balloons in Aug 1940)Manchester
No. 926 (East Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAFUnknown - pre Jun 1944 3 Flights of 8 balloons (40 balloons in Aug 1940)Bowlee / Manchester
No. 927 (County of Gloucester) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 Unknown 3 Flights of 8 balloons (32 balloons in Aug 1940)Bristol.
No. 928 Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 Unknown 3 Flights of 8 balloons (10 Water-borne Aug 1940)Felixstowe / Harwich
No. 929 Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 Unknown 3 Flights of 8 balloons (7 Water-borneAug 1940)South Queensferry
No. 930 (Hampshire) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 - pre Dec 1943 3 Flights of 8 balloons (50 balloons (10 Water-borne ) in Aug 1940)Southampton.
No. 931 (Hampshire) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 - pre Dec 1943 3 Flights of 8 balloons
No. 932 (Hampshire) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 Unknown 3 Flights of 8 balloons (32 balloons in Aug 1940)Portsmouth
No. 933 (Hampshire) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 Unknown 3 Flights of 8 balloonsPortsmouth / Gosport
No. 934 (County of Devon) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 Unknown 5 Flights of 8 balloons (24 balloons in Aug 1940)Plymouth.
No. 935 (County of Glamorgan) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 Unknown 2 Flights of 8 balloons (24 balloons in Aug 1940)Plymouth/Filton.
No. 936 (County of Northumberland) Balloon Squadron AAF20 Feb 1939 - 4 Jun 1943 4 Flights of 8 balloons (4 Water-borne Aug 1940)Newcastle upon TyneAmalgamated with No 937 on 4 Jun 1943
No. 937 (County of Northumberland) Balloon Squadron AAF20 Feb 1939 - 4 Jun 1943 4 Flights of 8 balloons (40 balloons (3 Water-borne) in Aug 1940)Newcastle upon TyneAmalgamated with No 936 on 4 Jun 1943
No. 936/937 Balloon Squadron AAF4 Jun 1943 - 1 Dec 1944
No. 938 (County of Northumberland) Balloon Squadron AAF20 Feb 1939 - 1 Dec 1944 3 Flights of 8 balloons (48 balloons in Aug 1940)Stockton on Tees / Billingham
No. 939 (West Riding) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 Unknown 3 Flights of 8 balloonsSheffield
No. 940 (West Riding) Balloon Squadron AAFUnknown - pre Jun 1944Sheffield 3 Flights of 8 balloons
No. 941 (West Riding) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 Unknown3 Flights of 8 balloons (40 balloons in Aug 1940)Sheffield / Sunderland (May 1943)Amalgamated with 939 due to lack of volunteers
No. 942 (East Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF25 Jan 1939 - 1 Jan 1942 3 Flights of 8 balloons 42 balloons (24 Water-borne) in Aug 1940Sutton on HullAmalgamated with 943 - 1 Jan 1942
No. 943 (East Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF25 Jan 1939 - 1 Jan 1942 3 Flights of 8 balloons (32 balloons in Aug 1940)Sutton on HullAmalgamated with 942 - 1 Jan 1942
No. 942/943 (East Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF1 Jan 1942 - 31 Aug 1944 Anti-'Diver- duties from 31 Jul 1944
No. 944 (East Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF25 Jan 1939 -26 Apr 1942 3 Flights of 8 balloonsSutton on Hull
No. 945 (City of Glasgow) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 - Unknown, Jun 1944 - Unknown 4 Flights of 8 balloons (40 balloons in Aug 1940)GlasgowReformed in 22 Balloon Centre for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 946 (City of Glasgow) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 - pre Jun 1944 4 Flights of 8 balloons (48 balloons in Aug 1940)Renfrew
No. 947 (City of Glasgow) Balloon Squadron AAFJan 1939 - pre Jun 1944, Jun 1944 - Unknown 3 Flights of 8 balloons (32 balloons in Aug 1940)GlasgowReformed in 22 Balloon Centre for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 948 Balloon Squadron AAFOct 1939 - pre Dec 1943 24 balloons in Aug 1940Rosyth
No. 949 Balloon Squadron AAFOct 1949 - Unknown, Jun 1944 - Unknown 32 balloons in Aug 1940CreweReformed in 23 Balloon Centre for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 950 Balloon Squadron AAF Unknown – UnknownLyness, Orkney – Feb 1940, Kirkwall, Orkney - 1944 32 balloons in Aug 1940
No. 951 Balloon Squadron AAF Unknown - pre Dec 1943 40 balloons in Aug 1940Bristol until 19 Jun 1944 (Norwich) and then Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 952 Balloon Squadron AAF Nov 1939Sheerness 40 balloons (32 Water-borne) in Aug 1940
No. 953 Balloon Squadron AAF UnknownCardiff 1943/44 39 balloons (7 Water-borne) in Aug 19401943/44 -, Anti-'Diver' duties from Jun 1944
No. 954 Balloon Squadron AAF Cobham
No. 955 Balloon Squadron AAF 1943/44Weston-super-Mare
No. 956 Balloon Squadron AAF Colnbrook 24 balloons in Aug 1940
No. 957 Balloon Squadron AAF Jul 1940 – UnknownYeovil 24 balloons in Aug 1940
No. 958 Balloon Squadron AAF Jul 1940 - Unknown Swansea 25 balloons (3 Water-borne) in Aug 1940Reformed in 23 Balloon Centre for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 959 Balloon Squadron AAF 27 Aug 1940 UnknownFalmouth 24 balloons (8 Water-borne) in Aug 1940
No. 960 Balloon Squadron AAF Feb 1940 - UnknownLyness, Orkney to Dec 1943, Canterbury 1944 on 24 balloons (16 Water-borne) in Aug 1940
No. 961 Balloon Squadron AAF Jul 1940 – UnknownDover8 Water-borne balloons (Aug 1940)
No. 962 Balloon Squadron AAF Sep 1940 - pre Dec 1943Milford Haven 24balloons (9 Water-borne) in Aug 1940
No. 963 Balloon Squadron AAF Unknown - pre Dec 1943
No. 964 Balloon Squadron AAF Aug 1940 - UnknownTorpoint, Plymouth 1944 on 24 balloons (6 Water-borne) in Aug 1940
No. 965 Balloon Squadron AAF Jul 1940 - UnknownPort Talbot 16 balloons in Aug 1940 Reformed in 23 Balloon Centre for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 966 Balloon Squadron AAF Sep 1940 - UnknownNewport, Monmouthshire, moved to RAF Seal south of London from Jun 1944 40 balloons in Aug 1940 Reformed in 23 Balloon Centre for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 967 Balloon Squadron AAF Unknown - pre Dec 1943Ardrossan 48 balloons in Aug 1940
No. 968 Balloon Squadron AAF Unknown - pre Dec 1943Belfast 16 balloons (8 Water-borne) in Aug 1940
No. 969 Balloon Squadron AAFJ ul 1940 – Unknown , - UnknownBarry pre Dec 1943, Great Yarmouth from Jun 1944 16 balloons in Aug 1940 Reformed in 23 Balloon Centre for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 970 Balloon Squadron AAF Unknown - pre Dec 1943
No. 971 Balloon Squadron AAF 1944 AHQ Eastern Mediterranean
No. 972 Balloon Squadron AAF Egypt
No. 973 Balloon Squadron AAF 1944 AHQ Eastern Mediterranean
No. 974 Balloon Squadron AAF Egypt 2nd Tactical Air Force (2nd TAF or 2 TAF)
No. 975 Balloon Squadron AAF 1944 No. 242 Group AAF
No. 976 Balloon Squadron AAF 1944 2nd TAF
No. 977 Balloon Squadron AAF 1944 Mediterranean Coastal Air Forces
No. 978 Balloon Squadron AAF 1941 1944 3rd TAF
No. 979 Balloon Squadron AAF 1944 3rd TAF
No. 980 Balloon Squadron AAF Unknown - 6 Jun 19452nd TAF (1944 on) 980 Sqn defended Abadan from 1942 and Khosrowabad before being moved via Jordan to the Suez Canal and then Italy
No. 981 Balloon Squadron AAF 1941-Unknown Mediterranean Coastal Air Forces Reformed in UK for Anti-'Diver' duties - 1944
No. 982 Balloon Squadron AAF 1944 Mediterranean Coastal Air Forces
No. 983 Balloon Squadron AAF 1944 Mediterranean Coastal Air Forces
No. 984 Balloon Squadron AAF 1944 No. 222 Group AAF
No. 985 Balloon Squadron AAF 1944 No. 242 Group AAF
No. 986 Balloon Squadron AAF 1944 Malta
No. 987 Balloon Squadron AAF 1 Sep 1943-Unknown No. 224 Group AAF (1944 on)
No. 988 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 989 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 990 Balloon Squadron AAF 1944 No. 222 Group AAF
No. 991 Balloon Squadron AAF 2nd TAF
No. 992 (Mobile) Balloon Squadron AAF Dec 1943 -No 30 (Balloon Barrage) Group AAF, Great Yarmouth Jun 1944 to 85 Group, for the defence of ports.
No. 993 (Mobile) Balloon Squadron AAF Dec 1943 No 30 (Balloon Barrage) Group AAF, Chelmsford
No. 994 (Mobile) Balloon Squadron AAF Dec 1943 No 30 (Balloon Barrage) Group AAF, Canterbury Jun 1944 to 85 Group,
No. 995 (Mobile) Balloon Squadron AAF Dec 1943 No 30 (Balloon Barrage) Group AAF, Titchfield
No. 996 Balloon Squadron AAF No. 85 Group AAF Mobile Unit for the defence of ports
No. 997 Balloon Squadron AAF Weymouth (1944) Mobile Unit for the defence of ports
No. 998 Balloon Squadron AAF Brighton (1944) Mobile Unit for the defence of ports
No. 999 Balloon Squadron AAF Paignton (1944) Mobile Unit for the defence of ports