RAF

Question 1

Hammersmith Factory

Answer 1

A factory for furniture company Waring and Gillow
Played a crucial role in the war effort, mass producing aircraft
An example of total war as all means of production were geared towards the war

Question 2

When was the RAF formed

Answer 2

1st April 1918

Question 3

General Jan Christian Smuts

Answer 3

Wrote the Smuts report, responsible for the decision to form the RAF
Former Boer general, fighting on the British side since South Africa became a part of the British Empire

Question 4

Major-General Hugh Trenchard

Answer 4

‘Father of the RAF’
Leader of the RFC and led the RAF when it was merged with the RNAS

Question 5

General David Henderson

Answer 5

Former leader of the RFC, although the War Office had him replaced in 1915 when they thought he wasn’t doing enough to advance aircraft

Question 6

When was the Smuts report published

Answer 6

August 1917

Question 7

Gotha raids

Answer 7

From 13th June 1917
- 14 new Gotha planes dropped bombs in London, killing 162
Significantly pressured the government into creating a more co-ordinated defense (LADA)
- 52 attacks
- Dropped 2,772 bombs, killing 857 and injuring 2,508

Question 8

Zeppelin raids

Answer 8

• 51 raids
• Dropped 5,806 bombs, killing 557 and injuring 1,358
  Unprecedented tactic of killing civilians. Britain had not been directly attacked by an enemy since 1066
• 19 in 1915, 22 in 1916 and phased out by Gothas in 1917
  Intended to instill fear into civilians that would pressure the government to pull out of the war

Question 9

Response to Zeppelin raids

Answer 9

Blackouts
More effective government propaganda, bringing in more war bonds and recruitment

Question 10

Response to Gotha raids

Answer 10

Led to LADA and the RAF as the public pressured the government to take action. Initially led to the Smuts report, and therefore the formation of the RAF 8 months later

Question 11

Smuts Report

Answer 11

Raised the three questions:
- Should there be an Air Ministry responsible for all air organisation and operations
- Should the RFC and the RNAS be unified, and if yes
- How to most effectively constitute the unification of the two organisations

Question 12

4 main function of aircraft

Answer 12

Reconnaissance
Air-to-air combat
Tactical air support (Combined Arms)
Strategic bombing

Question 13

LADA

Answer 13

London Air Defense Area, formed September 1915
Initially commanded by Admiral Percy Scott
266 AA guns, 270 fighters and 353 searchlights

Question 14

Resources the RAF had by Armistice day

Answer 14

30,000 personnel
200 squadrons
22,647 aircraft