BATTLE of BRITAIN COMMEMORATIVE DINNER Marking the 70th Anniversary of the United States Air Force and the Centenary of the Royal Air Force Wednesday, October 4th, 2017 The Mayflower Hotel, Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C. 00 COVER2017-v2.indd 1 26/09/2017 15:03
TO THE ROYAL AIR FORCE. Lockheed Martin has enjoyed a strategic relationship with the Royal Air Force for more than fift y years. From the C-130s to the F-35s, Lockheed Martin has a key role to play in delivering and maintaining capability for frontline Squadrons. We are proud to support the RAF and to be a part of the UK’s most important defence programmes and we look forward to continuing our close partnership for decades to come. As we mark the 100th anniversary of the RAF, we salute the sacrifices of those who have served, the contributions of those of who serve today and the inspiration both offer for the next 100 years. Learn more at F35.com/uk © 2017 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION VC17-16138 Lockheed_placed.indd 2 26/09/2017 15:11
4 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION Major General Frederick F. Roggero USAF (Ret.), President, RAFMAF 6 AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR STEPHEN HILLIER KCB CBE DFC ADC MA RAF, Chief of the Air Staff 7 10 11 14 18 LIEUTENANT ERIC GILL Recalling one young airman’s wartime RAF career, including a spell at the No. 1 British Flying Training School in Texas 20 ORDRE NATIONAL DE LA LÉGION D’HONNEUR Celebrating recent recipients of France’s highest military and civil order of merit THE FORMATION OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE How the world’s first independent air force was established in 1918, amid debate over Britain’s air defenses 23 27 A ROYAL MESSAGE OF THANKS King George V’s letter of gratitude to the men and women of the Royal Air Force at the conclusion of the First World War 28 THE CREATION OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE The early history of the USAF, which has delivered aviation with global vigilance, reach and power since its formation in September 1947 ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SERVICE AND SACRIFICE How the RAF Museum is transforming its London site for the service’s centenary THE START OF A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP The origins of the USAF/RAF Military Personnel Exchange Program THE ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION SWORDS OF HONOR Recognizing the most outstanding RAF and USAF officers on exchange this year 30 SWORDS OF HONOR 2017 CITATIONS Sqn Ldr Wesley Pead BEng (Hons) RAF and Major James Rodgers USAF 34 LIEUTENANT J.R. PAYDEN The story of a young American who enlisted in the forces as the US entered the First World War and served in Europe at the inception of the Royal Air Force THE RAFMAF TRIO Profiles of tonight’s jazz musicians Cover images: P51 Mustang: Andrew Harker / Alamy; F35: Lockheed Martin; Sopwith Camel: David Wall / Alamy Produced by Harfield Media Edited by Barry Davies Designed by J-P Stanway RAF MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION 3 00 Contents.indd 3 26/09/2017 12:42
and introduction Major General (Ret.) Frederick F. Roggero, USAF, President, RAFMAF T centenary. The metamorphosis of the USAF commenced in 1907 through the army, with the formation of the Aeronautical Division, Signal Corps, which became, in 1914, the Aviation Section. You can read about this in Joseph Payden’s biography (see page 14) and learn how he came to fly with the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War in 1917, creating a direct bridge between the RFC and the US Aviation Services. It is interesting to read how the American pilots adopted many of the traditions of their RFC/RAF counterparts, which were eventually incorporated into the USAF traditions. It is also an honor for the Foundation to be able to recognize the continued close association he Royal Air Force Museum American Foundation (RAFMAF) is honored and proud to host the Battle of Britain Commemorative Dinner and would like to thank the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier KCB CBE DFC ADC MA, for his, and the Royal Air Force’s, continued support. We are also delighted to welcome General Stephen W. ‘Seve’ Wilson, Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (USAF), to help us honor the outstanding service of the top Royal Air Force (RAF) and USAF Exchange Officers of 2017. This year, it is a great privilege to honor the 70th anniversary of the United States Air Force, along with the commencement of the RAF’s Last year’s guest veteran, the late ‘Captain’ Jack Bradshaw, learned of his Legion d’Honneur award shortly before he passed away RAF MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION 4 02 Roggero.indd 4 26/09/2017 12:46
British Flying Training School in Terrell, Texas, to preserve that history and to ensure that it was shared with the RAF Museum in the UK. In concert with that effort, the Foundation also funded a technical apprenticeship program in the UK to provide the necessary work on the digital and audio development of this media. This makes the unique story of UK-US aircrew training come alive for visitors to the RAF Museum, which you can read about later in this book (see page 23). Furthermore, during 2017 the Foundation has strongly supported the USAF’s loan of a retired MQ-1 Predator Remote Piloted Aircraft (RPA), made by General Atomics, to the RAF Museum in London as a way to tell this timely and important shared story of air power between our two nations. The loan of this aircraft is particularly important this year, since 2017 marks 10 years of combined British and American MQ-1 and MQ-9 operations. And, by the time of tonight’s dinner, the RAF will have celebrated reaching more than 100,000 MQ flying hours alongside their USAF RPA teammates. With the help of our sponsors, the Foundation will continue to keep our combined and shared histories of air power alive. Thank you for attending tonight, and for your continued support of the Royal Air Force Museum American Foundation and the Royal Air Force Museum. between our servicemen by presenting two ceremonial Swords of Honor to the RAF and USAF Exchange Officers whose contributions have most reflected the values that our veterans and the Foundation share: service, excellence, integrity and courage. It is these values that we honor in our young men and women of today, and encourage in the young people of tomorrow. As we look back on what has happened within the Foundation over the past year, I must report the sad news that our guest veteran at last year’s dinner, Captain Jack Bradshaw, an American who flew both in the RAF and the Army Air Corps during the Second World War, passed away earlier this year. But, before he passed, a team composed of members from the Foundation, the British and French embassies, along with a determined group of Americans from Texas all came together to make sure that Jack was awarded the Legion d’Honneur, the highest French Military Award, for his combat operations in his Spitfire over the beaches of Normandy in June 1944. Fortunately, Jack received the news and the recognition before it was too late. In pursuing its mission, the Royal Air Force Museum American Foundation has also been focused on education by supporting a number of key exhibits within the RAF Museum. Specifically, the Foundation funded the digitizing of documents and photographs from the First RAF MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION 5 02 Roggero.indd 5 26/09/2017 12:46
Sir Stephen Hillier KCB CBE DFC ADC MA RAF, Chief of the Air Staff I closely together, in training and on operations worldwide. And as we enjoy the comfort and splendid hospitality of our dinner this evening in Washington, D.C., we reflect on the extraordinary courage, commitment and professionalism of our airmen and airwomen, serving their countries, frequently putting themselves in harm’s way, and consistently delivering decisive air-power effect. The Royal Air Force Museum American Foundation continues to provide outstanding support to those who have served, and are still serving, in both the USAF and the RAF. The Foundation further reinforces the closeness of our relationship and our shared heritage. I am extremely grateful for that support to our Air Forces, and it is a pleasure to join you this evening. am delighted once again to be able to attend the annual dinner of the Royal Air Force Museum American Foundation in this, the 70th year of the United States Air Force. I am delighted that the RAF has been able to play its part in helping celebrate such an important anniversary for the USAF, and I look forward in turn to our closest ally helping the RAF celebrate its centenary in 2018. Indeed, the partnership between the pilots of the UK and the US extends back to before the history of either Air Force – you will read later in this book about Joseph Payden, who left the US to fly with the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War, and also about Eric Gill, who flew with the RAF in the latter years of the Second World War. As in our history, so it is today, with our two Air Forces constantly working exceptionally RAF MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION 6 01 CAS.indd 6 26/09/2017 12:44
Royal Air Force As the First World War approached a fourth year, a government investigation into the state of Great Britain’s air defenses led to the establishment of a single air force in 1918 G under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, David Lloyd George. In practice, however, it was a South African Army officer, LieutenantGeneral Jan Christiaan Smuts, who undertook the work. The first thing he recommended was a reorganization of the air defense of London. In August 1917, Smuts presented a second report to the War Cabinet, which was accepted erman airship and aeroplane raids on Great Britain during the First World War caused public outrage and anger among politicians. By 1917, the disagreement on home defense between the War Office and Admiralty led the Cabinet to establish a committee to assess the country’s air defenses. The committee was formed in July, nominally The new Royal Air Force inherited many obsolete aircraft, such as this Sopwith Triplane, now preserved at the RAF Museum RAF MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION 7 03 Formation of RAF.indd 7 26/09/2017 12:39
creation of a single British air force Two airmen aboard a Bristol Fighter of the W/T Establishment at Biggin Hill in 1918 Non-Commissioned Officers in Royal Flying Corps uniform relax outside their hut in 1918 in principle, including the recommendation of the creation of an Air Ministry and a single air force. Hugh Trenchard was to become the first Chief of the Air Staff of the newly created Royal Air Force (RAF) in January 1918. Formerly an officer in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1913, becoming second in command at the Central Flying School. When war broke out, Trenchard commanded 1 Wing in France, before becoming Officer Commanding RFC in the Field in 1915. Two years later, he returned to the UK and reorganized training, before his appointment to the RAF. Trenchard’s primary objective as Chief of the Air Staff was to ensure the smooth transition from Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service to the RAF. Operational ability was more important than ceremony, and it was here RAF MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION 8 03 Formation of RAF.indd 8 26/09/2017 12:39
Major General Sir Hugh Trenchard, the first Chief of the Air Staff Officers of RAF Cattewater on April 1st, 1918. Most are pictured still wearing Royal Naval Air Service dress, but two are already in RAF uniform that most effort was concentrated. Although a new badge and uniform were designed, wartime production limits meant there would not be enough to equip everyone in the new service. There were no parades or ceremonies on April 1st, 1918 to mark the formation of the RAF; allied forces in France were trying to stop the major German Michael Offensive. Only a minority of the men that transferred to the RAF were wearing the new uniform from day one, with most continuing to wear their old Army or Royal Navy uniforms; it was more important to continue air operations against German forces on land, in the air and in the sea. As a consequence, this lack of ceremony, continuity of operations and uniform often makes it difficult to identify photographs that were taken in April 1918 – it is easier to identify those that were not. RAF MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION 9 03 Formation of RAF.indd 9 26/09/2017 12:39
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