RAF Strength 1921-1939

[Steve Brew]

Does anyone have, or can anyone point me in the direction of a source of, the annual strength of the RAF during 1921-1939 in terms of the number of squadrons, please?

For clarity, I am not seeking estimates or expansion plan targets, nor am I seeking manpower or numbers of aircraft.

I am hoping to find data that indicates what the actual RAF squadron strength was each year during those years. It may be as of 31 December of each year, or as at 1 July, for example, but in any case an actual annual total (i.e. one total, to include home defence and overseas, all squadron types, regular, AuxAF & UAS), as opposed to estimates.

I note that annual Air Estimates in early March of each year generally talk about additional squadrons planned to be created but not the number that existed at that time. I tried Hansard directly, too, in the hope it may contain something, but there do not appear to be any consolidated or otherwise consistent details on RAF strength.

As a point of reference, I did find an article in the Telegraph of 10 Dec 1930, which provides the following figures:

1921 - 33 squadrons
1922 - 32 squadrons
1923 - 42.5 squadrons
1924 - 52 squadrons
1925 - 54 squadrons
1926 - 61 squadrons
1927 - 63 squadrons
1928 - 69 squadrons
1929 - 75 squadrons
1930 - 78 squadrons

However, there's no indication of the source of the data, so [and far be it from me to suggest that the newspapers make mistakes in their reporting!] I would like to corroborate the figures with a secondary source. If I ultimately need to rely on these figures (i.e. if no other evidence is available), it would be good to at least find similar figures for 1931 to 1939, inclusive.

That said, I did find consolidated manpower figures for 1920-1968. For those interested in such data, you can find the list here: https://api.parliament.uk/historic-h...anned-strength

Any help/guidance/suggestions on squadron strength for 1921 to 1939 would be appreciated.

Thanks
Steve

[paulmcmillan]

Malcolm's site rafweb.org should help

BTW Royal Air Force Squadron Losses: 1st January 1921 - 31st December 1930

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Royal-Air-F...s=books&sr=1-2


has a list each year 1921 to 1930 - but surely the most accurate way is to count them! the Sqn Losses books only goes up to 1930 - we working on 1930 to 1939

34 Sqns 1921

1 Squadron
2 Squadron
3 Squadron
4 Squadron
5 Squadron
6 Squadron
8 Squadron
12 Squadron
14 Squadron
20 Squadron
24 Squadron
25 Squadron
27 Squadron
28 Squadron
30 Squadron
31 Squadron
39 Squadron
45 Squadron
47 Squadron
55 Squadron
56 Squadron
60 Squadron
70 Squadron
84 Squadron
100 Squadron
202 Squadron
203 Squadron
205 Squadron
207 Squadron
208 Squadron
210 Squadron
216 Squadron
238 Squadron
267 Squadron

70 Sqns for 1930


1 Squadron
2 Squadron
3 Squadron
4 Squadron
5 Squadron
6 Squadron
7 Squadron
8 Squadron
9 Squadron
10 Squadron
11 Squadron
12 Squadron
13 Squadron
14 Squadron
XV Squadron
16 Squadron
17 Squadron
19 Squadron
20 Squadron
22 Squadron
23 Squadron
24 Squadron
25 Squadron
26 Squadron
27 Squadron
28 Squadron
29 Squadron
30 Squadron
31 Squadron
32 Squadron
33 Squadron
35 Squadron
36 Squadron
39 Squadron
41 Squadron
43 Squadron
45 Squadron
47 Squadron
54 Squadron
55 Squadron
56 Squadron
58 Squadron
60 Squadron
70 Squadron
84 Squadron
99 Squadron
100 Squadron
101 Squadron
111 Squadron
201 Squadron
202 Squadron
203 Squadron
204 Squadron
205 Squadron
207 Squadron
208 Squadron
209 Squadron
216 Squadron
501 Squadron
502 Squadron
503 Squadron
504 Squadron
600 Squadron
601 Squadron
602 Squadron
603 Squadron
604 Squadron
605 Squadron
607 Squadron
608 Squadron

32 Sqns total 1922
39 Sqns total 1923
43 Sqns Total 1924
45 Sqns Total 1925
52 Sqns Total 1926 (AAF Sqns Added)
54 Sqns Total 1927
57 Sqns Total 1928
65 Sqns Total 1929

Check your email

[Steve Brew]

Hey Paul, just covering off from this angle, too. Thanks again for your e-mails and above data.

Steve