No. 14 Group RAF

No. 14 Group RAF was a Royal Air Force group designation used for several distinct headquarters formations during the twentieth century. It was not a commercial brand, but a temporary operational organization within the RAF chain of command. The title first appeared during the First World War, when the former Milford Haven Anti-Submarine Group was redesignated No. 14 Group RAF on 1 April 1918. The formation was associated with the RAF's anti-submarine effort after the Royal Air Force was created through the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. On 8 May 1918, the group was transferred to Midland Area. Its first existence ended when it was disbanded on 19 May 1919, after the end of the war and the reduction of wartime aviation structures. The designation was revived during the rapid expansion of the RAF in the Second World War. On 20 January 1940, No. 60 Wing of the British Expeditionary Force was raised to group status as No. 14 (Fighter) Group. The new formation was commanded by Group Captain Philip Fletcher Fullard, a First World War flying ace. This version of the group was short-lived: it was disbanded on 22 June 1940, during the crisis surrounding the collapse and evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from France. Only three days later, on 25 June 1940, the RAF reformed No. 14 Group within Fighter Command. This third incarnation had responsibility for the air defence of Scotland and operated during the decisive period of the Battle of Britain. Its headquarters was at Inverness, while subordinate fighter squadrons operated from a network of airfields across Scotland and the northern approaches. A May 1941 organization listing associated the group with stations including Castletown, Dyce, Elgin, Montrose, Skaebrae, Skitten and Sumburgh. The listed units flew mainly Hawker Hurricane single-seat fighters, including Nos. 17, 111, 213, 232, 253 and 260 Squadrons at various locations. Command of the Scottish fighter group changed during the war. Air Vice-Marshal Malcolm Henderson led it from 20 July 1940 through the Battle of Britain period. Air Vice-Marshal John D'Albiac assumed command on 10 February 1942, followed by Canadian First World War flying ace Air Vice-Marshal Raymond Collishaw from 21 March 1942. The group was ultimately disbanded on 15 July 1943 as RAF command arrangements and the operational distribution of fighter forces were reorganized. Because the designation was used more than once, No. 14 Group RAF is best understood as a succession of RAF wartime formations rather than a single continuously operating unit. Its historical significance lies in the changing priorities of British air power: maritime anti-submarine work in 1918, expeditionary fighter operations in France in early 1940, and the defence of Scotland during the Second World War. No current operating status, commercial activity, public-facing product portfolio or successor brand is identified in the available reference material.

No. 14 Group RAF existed in three principal wartime forms. The first was created on 1 April 1918 when Milford Haven Anti-Submarine Group was redesignated No. 14 Group RAF. This change occurred during the foundation period of the Royal Air Force, which had just been formed from the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. The group was transferred to Midland Area on 8 May 1918 and was disbanded on 19 May 1919 after the First World War. The designation returned on 20 January 1940 during the RAF's expansion for the Second World War. No. 60 Wing of the British Expeditionary Force was elevated to group status as No. 14 (Fighter) Group. Group Captain Philip Fletcher Fullard, a veteran fighter pilot and First World War flying ace, commanded this formation. It was disbanded on 22 June 1940, following the defeat and withdrawal of British forces from continental Europe. A new No. 14 Group was formed within Fighter Command on 25 June 1940. Its role was the defence of Scotland. The group was headquartered at Inverness and controlled fighter squadrons operating from northern and Scottish airfields. A May 1941 structure lists RAF stations at Castletown, Dyce, Elgin, Montrose, Skaebrae, Skitten and Sumburgh. The principal aircraft identified in that structure were Hawker Hurricanes, operated by squadrons including Nos. 17, 111, 213, 232, 253 and 260. Air Vice-Marshal Malcolm Henderson commanded the group from 20 July 1940 and throughout the Battle of Britain period. Air Vice-Marshal John D'Albiac took over on 10 February 1942. On 21 March 1942, command passed to Air Vice-Marshal Raymond Collishaw, a Canadian flying ace. The group was disbanded on 15 July 1943. Its repeated creation and dissolution reflected wartime changes in RAF organization, geographic responsibility and the distribution of fighter forces.

• 1943

  Final disbandment

  [1]No. 14 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  The Scottish fighter group was finally disbanded on 15 July 1943.

• 1940

  Re-formation as a fighter group

  [1]No. 14 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  No. 60 Wing of the British Expeditionary Force was raised to group status as No. 14 (Fighter) Group on 20 January 1940.

• 1940

  Second disbandment

  [1]No. 14 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  The expeditionary fighter group was disbanded on 22 June 1940.

• 1940

  Scottish fighter group re-formed

  [1]No. 14 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  A new No. 14 Group was established within Fighter Command on 25 June 1940 to cover Scotland.

• 1919

  First disbandment

  [1]No. 14 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  The original No. 14 Group was disbanded on 19 May 1919.

• 1918

  First formation

  [1]No. 14 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  Milford Haven Anti-Submarine Group was redesignated No. 14 Group RAF on 1 April 1918.

• 1918

  Transfer to Midland Area

  [1]No. 14 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  The First World War group was transferred to Midland Area on 8 May.

A wartime Royal Air Force operational group designation, used for changing anti-submarine and fighter-command responsibilities rather than for commercial activity.

1. 1No. 14 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org