Barrage Balloon Organisations of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force

This is a list of Barrage Balloon Organisations of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force formed shortly before and during the Second World War. As the AAF was 'embodied' with the RAF on the outbreak of war when the AAF stopped recruiting, all balloon squadron numbered 900 to 947 were AAF and from 948 to 999 were RAF.

Groups

data from:-[1]

Group Formed Formed At Disbanded Disbanded At Notes Fate
No. 30 (Balloon Barrage) Group AAF 17 Mar 1937 7 Jan 1945 London / Hook
No. 31 (Balloon Barrage) Group AAF 1 Apr 1939 13 Nov 1941 London / Birmingham
No. 32 (Balloon Barrage) Group AAF London / Portsmouth / Romsey / Claverton
No. 33 (Balloon Barrage) Group AAF 1 Mar 1939 4 Sep 1944 London / Newcastle upon Tyne / Kingston upon Hull / Sheffield
No. 34 (Balloon Barrage) Group AAF 1 Jul 1940 4 Sep 1944 Newcastle / Edinburgh

Centres

Centre Formed Formed At Disbanded Disbanded At Notes Fate
No. 1 Balloon Centre 4 Oct 1937 31 Mar 1945 Kidbrooke, London SE3
No. 2 Balloon Centre 4 Aug 1938 4 Oct 1941 Hook, Surrey
No. 3 Balloon Centre 15 Dec 1938 15 Mar 1945 Stanmore, Middlesex
No. 4 Balloon Centre 2 Aug 1938 1 Apr 1943 Chigwell, Essex
No. 22 Balloon Centre 19 Feb 1944 20 Nov 1944 Biggin Hill, Kent
No. 23 Balloon Centre 1 Feb 1944 15 Jan 1945 Gravesend, Kent
No. 24 Balloon Centre 1 Jul 1944 15 Jan 1945 Redhill, Surrey
No. 5 Balloon Centre Jun 1944 Whitehouse Common, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham
No. 6 Balloon Centre Wythall, Birmingham, Transferred to No 32 Group13 Nov 1941
No. 7 Balloon Centre Jun 1944 Curzon Lane, Alvaston, Derbyshire
No. 8 Balloon Centre Jun 1944 Fazakerley, Liverpool
No. 9 Balloon Centre Jun 1944 Houghton Green, Warrington
No. 10 Balloon Centre Jun 1944 Bowlee, Middleton, Greater Manchester
No. 11 Balloon Centre Pucklechurch, Bristol
No. 12 Balloon Centre Southampton Road, Titchfield, Fareham, Hants, Transferred to No. 30 Group AAF - pre Jun 1944
No. 13 Balloon Centre Collaton Cross, Yealmpton, Plymouth
No. 14 Balloon Centre Jun 1944 Caerau, Ely, Cardiff
No. 21 Balloon Centre 27 Aug 1940 31 Dec 1941 Pembroke Dock, Wales
No. 15 Balloon Centre Long Benton, Forest Hall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
No. 16 Balloon Centre 15 Aug 1939 Jun 1944 Hemsworth, Norton, Sheffield
No. 17 Balloon Centre 17 May 1939 15 Oct 1942 Royal Air Force Sutton-on-Hull, Hull
No. 18 Balloon Centre Aug 1939 Bishopbriggs, Glasgow
No. 19 Balloon Centre 21 Oct 1939 6 May 1940 Rosyth, Fife
No. 18 Balloon Centre 2 Jun 1940 27 Dec 1941 Lyness, Orkney

Squadrons

[2][3][4][5]
Balloon Squadron Formed Formed At Disbanded Disbanded At Notes Fate
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 balloons Kidbrooke, Brixton
No. 903 (County of London) Balloon Squadron AAF 16 May 1938 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 balloons Clapham
No. 905 (County of Surrey) Balloon Squadron AAF 16 May 1938 1944 5 Flights of 9 balloons. Amalgamated with 901 Sqn Kensington, Clapham
No. 906 (County of Middlesex) Balloon Squadron AAF 7 Jul 1938 5 Flights of 9 balloons Hampstead, Kensington
No. 907 (County of Middlesex) Balloon Squadron AAF 16 May 1938 5 Flights of 9 balloons Harringay / Woodberry Down
No. 908 (County of Essex) Balloon Squadron AAF 5 Jul 1938 5 Flights of 9 balloons Wanstead, Harringay
No. 909 (County of Essex) Balloon Squadron AAF 16 May 1938 5 Flights of 9 balloons West Ham, East Ham
No. 910 (County of Essex) Balloon Squadron AAF 5 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 4 Flights of 8 balloons (48 balloons in Aug 1940) West Bromwich, Chelmsford, Erdington (Dec 1943).
No. 912 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF 23 Jan 1939 - Birmingham 12 July 1944 Brockworth Squadron HQ Aug 1939 No 5 Balloon Centre, Sutton Coldfield, Operated in Bolougne with 2 flights 15/2/1940 to 23/5/1940 on evacuation based at Cardington and moved to Brockworth, Gloucester on 26/4/1940 with 3 flights flying 24 balloons from 30 June 1940. On disbandment replaced by 912 Squadron Care and Maintenance Party
No. 913 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 - 3 Flights of 8 balloons Erdington / Sutton Coldfield, Chelmsford
No. 914 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 Jun 1944 4 Flights of 8 balloons (40 balloons in Aug 1940) Wythall / Northfield.
No. 915 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 4 Flights of 8 balloons (40 balloons in Aug 1940) Bourneville / Rowkeath, Chelmsford.
No. 916 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 Jun 1944 3 Flights of 8 balloons (32 balloons in Aug 1940) Coventry Reformed for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 917 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 Jun 1944 3 Flights of 8 balloons Coventry
No. 918 (County of Derby) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 Jun 1944 3 Flights of 8 balloons ( 32 balloons in Aug 1940) Derby / Alveston.
No. 919 (West Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 Jun 1944 4 Flights of 8 balloons. (52 balloons (12 Water-borne) in Aug 1940) Birkenhead.
No. 920 Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 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 AAF Jan 1939 20 Feb 1943 3 Flights of 8 balloons (48 balloons in Aug 1940) Liverpool / Fazakerley.
No. 922 (West Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 Dec 1943 4 Flights of 8 balloons Warrington / Curerdley
No. 923 (West Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 Jun 1944 4 Flights of 8 balloons Runcorn / Birkenhead Reformed for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 924 Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 4 Flights of 8 balloons (24 balloons in Aug 1940) Southampton / Eastleigh.
No. 925 (East Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 Jun 1944 3 Flights of 8 balloons (40 balloons in Aug 1940) Manchester
No. 926 (East Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAF Jun 1944 3 Flights of 8 balloons (40 balloons in Aug 1940) Bowlee / Manchester
No. 927 (County of Gloucester) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 3 Flights of 8 balloons (32 balloons in Aug 1940) Bristol.
No. 928 Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 3 Flights of 8 balloons (10 Water-borne Aug 1940) Felixstowe / Harwich
No. 929 Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 3 Flights of 8 balloons (7 Water-borne Aug 1940) South Queensferry
No. 930 (Hampshire) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 Dec 1943 3 Flights of 8 balloons (50 balloons (10 Water-borne ) in Aug 1940) Southampton.
No. 931 (Hampshire) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 Dec 1943 3 Flights of 8 balloons
No. 932 (Hampshire) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 4 Flights of 8 balloons (32 balloons in Aug 1940) Portsmouth
No. 933 (Hampshire) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 3 Flights of 8 balloons Portsmouth / Gosport
No. 934 (County of Devon) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 5 Flights of 8 balloons (24 balloons in Aug 1940) Plymouth.
No. 935 (County of Glamorgan) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 2 Flights of 8 balloons (24 balloons in Aug 1940) Plymouth/Filton.
No. 936 (County of Northumberland) Balloon Squadron AAF 20 Feb 1939 4 Jun 1943 4 Flights of 8 balloons (4 Water-borne Aug 1940) Newcastle upon Tyne Amalgamated with No 937 on 4 Jun 1943
No. 937 (County of Northumberland) Balloon Squadron AAF 20 Feb 1939 4 Jun 1943 4 Flights of 8 balloons (40 balloons (3 Water-borne) in Aug 1940) Newcastle upon Tyne Amalgamated with No 936 on 4 Jun 1943
No. 936/937 Balloon Squadron AAF 4 Jun 1943 1 Dec 1944
No. 938 (County of Northumberland) Balloon Squadron AAF 20 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 AAF Jan 1939 3 Flights of 8 balloons Sheffield
No. 940 (West Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF Jun 1944 Sheffield 3 Flights of 8 balloons
No. 941 (West Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 3 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 AAF 25 Jan 1939 1 Jan 1942 3 Flights of 8 balloons 42 balloons (24 Water-borne) in Aug 1940 RAF Sutton on Hull Amalgamated with 943 - 1 Jan 1942
No. 943 (East Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF 25 Jan 1939 1 Jan 1942 3 Flights of 8 balloons (32 balloons in Aug 1940) RAF Sutton on Hull Amalgamated with 942 - 1 Jan 1942
No. 942/943 (East Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF 1 Jan 1942 31 Aug 1944 Anti-'Diver- duties from 31 Jul 1944
No. 944 (East Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF 25 Jan 1939 26 Apr 1942 3 Flights of 8 balloons RAF Sutton on Hull
No. 945 (City of Glasgow) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 Jun 1944 4 Flights of 8 balloons (40 balloons in Aug 1940) Glasgow Reformed in 22 Balloon Centre for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 946 (City of Glasgow) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 Jun 1944 4 Flights of 8 balloons (48 balloons in Aug 1940) Renfrew
No. 947 (City of Glasgow) Balloon Squadron AAF Jan 1939 Jun 1944 3 Flights of 8 balloons (32 balloons in Aug 1940) Glasgow
No. 947 (City of Glasgow) Balloon Squadron AAF Jun 1944 Reformed in 22 Balloon Centre for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 948 Balloon Squadron RAF Oct 1939 Dec 1944 24 balloons in Aug 1940 Rosyth
No. 949 Balloon Squadron RAF Oct 1939 Jun 1944 32 balloons in Aug 1940 Crewe Reformed in 23 Balloon Centre for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 950 Balloon Squadron RAF Lyness, Orkney – Feb 1940, Kirkwall, Orkney - 1944 32 balloons in Aug 1940
No. 951 Balloon Squadron RAF Dec 1943 40 balloons in Aug 1940 Bristol until 19 Jun 1944 (Norwich) and then Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 952 Balloon Squadron RAF Nov 1939 Sheerness 40 balloons (32 Water-borne) in Aug 1940
No. 953 Balloon Squadron RAF Cardiff 1943/44 39 balloons (7 Water-borne) in Aug 1940 1943/44 -, Anti-'Diver' duties from Jun 1944
No. 954 Balloon Squadron RAF Cobham
No. 955 Balloon Squadron RAF 1943 1944 Weston-super-Mare
No. 956 Balloon Squadron RAF 24 balloons in Aug 1940
No. 957 Balloon Squadron RAF Jul 1940 – Yeovil 24 balloons in Aug 1940
No. 958 Balloon Squadron RAF Jul 1940 - Swansea 25 balloons (3 Water-borne) in Aug 1940 Reformed in 23 Balloon Centre for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 959 Balloon Squadron RAF 27 Aug 1940 RAF Feb 1940 - Lyness, Orkney to Dec 1943, Canterbury 1944 on 24 balloons (16 Water-borne) in Aug 1940
No. 961 Balloon Squadron RAF Jul 1940 – Dover 8 Water-borne balloons (Aug 1940)
No. 962 Balloon Squadron RAF Sep 1940 Dec 1943 Milford Haven 24 balloons (9 Water-borne) in Aug 1940
No. 963 Balloon Squadron RAF Accrington - pre Dec 1943
No. 964 Balloon Squadron RAF Aug 1940 - Torpoint, Plymouth 1944 on, 24 balloons (6 Water-borne) in Aug 1940
No. 965 Balloon Squadron RAF Jul 1940 - Port Talbot 16 balloons in Aug 1940 Reformed in 23 Balloon Centre for Anti-'Diver' duties
No. 966 Balloon Squadron RAF Sep 1940 - Newport, 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 RAF Dec 1943 Ardrossan 48 balloons in Aug 1940
No. 968 Balloon Squadron RAF Dec 1943 Belfast 16 balloons (8 Water-borne) in Aug 1940
No. 969 Balloon Squadron RAF Jul 1940 Barry 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 RAF Barrow-in-Furness - pre Dec 1943
No. 971 Balloon Squadron RAF 1944 AHQ Eastern Mediterranean
No. 972 Balloon Squadron RAF Egypt
No. 973 Balloon Squadron RAF 1944 AHQ Eastern Mediterranean
No. 974 Balloon Squadron RAF Egypt 2nd Tactical Air Force (2 TAF)
No. 975 Balloon Squadron RAF 1944 No. 242 Group RAF
No. 976 Balloon Squadron RAF 1944 2 TAF
No. 977 Balloon Squadron RAF 1944 Mediterranean Coastal Air Forces
No. 978 Balloon Squadron RAF 1941 1944 3 TAF
No. 979 Balloon Squadron RAF 1944 3 TAF
No. 980 Balloon Squadron RAF 6 Jun 1945 2 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 RAF 1941- Mediterranean Coastal Air Forces Reformed in UK for Anti-'Diver' duties - 1944
No. 982 Balloon Squadron RAF 1944 Mediterranean Coastal Air Forces
No. 983 Balloon Squadron RAF 1944 Mediterranean Coastal Air Forces
No. 984 Balloon Squadron RAF 1944 No. 222 Group RAF
No. 985 Balloon Squadron RAF 1944 No. 242 Group RAF
No. 986 Balloon Squadron RAF 1944 Malta
No. 987 Balloon Squadron RAF 1 Sep 1943- No. 224 Group RAF (1944 on)
No. 988 Balloon Squadron RAF
No. 989 Balloon Squadron RAF
No. 990 Balloon Squadron RAF 1944 No. 222 Group AAF
No. 991 Balloon Squadron RAF 2 TAF
No. 992 (Mobile) Balloon Squadron RAF Dec 1943 - No 30 (Balloon Barrage) Group RAF, Great Yarmouth, Jun 1944 to 85 Group, for the defence of ports.
No. 993 (Mobile) Balloon Squadron RAF Dec 1943 No 30 (Balloon Barrage) Group RAF, Chelmsford
No. 994 (Mobile) Balloon Squadron RAF Dec 1943 No 30 (Balloon Barrage) Group RAF, CanterburyJun 1944 to 85 Group,
No. 995 (Mobile) Balloon Squadron RAF Dec 1943 No 30 (Balloon Barrage) Group RAF, Titchfield
No. 996 Balloon Squadron RAF No. 85 Group RAF Mobile Unit for the defence of ports
No. 997 Balloon Squadron RAF Weymouth (1944) Mobile Unit for the defence of ports
No. 998 Balloon Squadron RAF Brighton (1944) Mobile Unit for the defence of ports
No. 999 Balloon Squadron RAF Paignton (1944) Mobile Unit for the defence of ports

Bases

[6]
Base Formed Formed At Disbanded Disbanded At Notes
No. 1 Balloon Base
No. 2 Balloon Base
No. 3 Balloon Base
No. 4 Balloon Base
No. 5 Balloon Base
No. 6 Balloon Base
No. 7 Balloon Base
No. 8 Balloon Base
No. 9 Balloon Base
No. 11 Balloon Base
No. 12 Balloon Base
No. 13 Balloon Base
No. 14 Balloon Base
No. 15 Balloon Base
No. 16 Balloon Base
No. 17 Balloon Base
No. 18 Balloon Base
No. 20 Balloon Base
No. 21 Balloon Base
No. 22 Balloon Base
No. 23 Balloon Base
No. 24 Balloon Base
No. 25 Balloon Base

Detachments

[7]
Detachment Formed Formed At Disbanded Disbanded At Notes
No. 1 Port/Beach Balloon Detachment
No. 2 Port/Beach Balloon Detachment
No. 3 Beach Balloon Detachment/Party
No. 4 Beach Balloon Detachment/Party
No. 5 Beach Balloon Detachment
No. 6 Beach Balloon Detachment
No. 7 (Middle East) Balloon Detachment
'A' Beach Balloon Detachment/Party
'B' Beach Balloon Detachment
'C' Beach Balloon Detachment
'D' Beach Balloon Detachment
'E' Beach Balloon Detachment
'F' Beach Balloon Detachment
'K' Port Balloon Detachment
'L' Port Balloon Detachment

Flights

[7][2]
Flight Formed Formed At Disbanded Disbanded At Notes
No. 50 'B' Balloon Flight
No. 51 'B' Balloon Flight
No. 52 'B' Balloon Flight
No. 53 'B' Balloon Flight
No. 54 'B' Balloon Flight
No. 55 'B' Balloon Flight
No. 56 'B' Balloon Flight
No. 57 'B' Balloon Flight
No. 101 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 102 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 103 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 104 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 105 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 106 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 107 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 108 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 109 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 110 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 111 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 112 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 113 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 114 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 115 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 116 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 117 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 118 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 119 'P' Balloon Flight
No. 120 'P' Balloon Flight

Units

[7][2][8]
Unit Formed Formed At Disbanded Disbanded At Notes
Balloon Development Unit
No. 1 Balloon Repair Unit
No. 2 Balloon Repair Unit
No. 1 Balloon & Tentage Repair Unit
The Balloon Training Unit
No. 1 Balloon Training Unit
No. 2 Balloon Training Unit
The Balloon Unit
'A' Balloon Unit
'B' Balloon Unit
'C' Balloon Unit
'D' Balloon Unit
'E' Balloon Unit
'A' ("K") Balloon Unit
'B' ("K") Balloon Unit
'C' ("K") Balloon Unit
'D' ("K") Balloon Unit
'E' ("K") Balloon Unit
'F' ("K") Balloon Unit
'G' ("K") Balloon Unit
'K' ("K") Balloon Unit
'L' ("K") Balloon Unit
No. 1 'M' Balloon Unit
No. 50 'B' Balloon Unit
No. 51 'B' Balloon Unit
No. 52 'B' Balloon Unit
No. 53 'B' Balloon Unit
No. 54 'B' Balloon Unit
No. 55 'B' Balloon Unit
No. 56 'B' Balloon Unit

Other units

[7][8][9]
Unit Formed Formed At Disbanded Disbanded At Notes
RAF Balloon Centre
Balloon Command
Balloon Development Establishment
Balloon Development Section
Balloon Experimental & Training Depot
No. 1 Balloon School of Instruction
No. 2 Balloon School of Instruction
Balloon Operations Squadron
Balloon and Oxygen Centre
Balloon Parachute Training Section
No. 1 Balloon Repair Depot
'X' Balloon Repair Section
Balloon Repair Shop/Section
Balloon Stores Depot
Balloon Testing & Kite Balloon Experimental Station
Balloon Training Centre
Balloon Training Depot
No. 1 Balloon Training Depot
No. 2 Balloon Training Depot
School of Balloon Training
No. 1 Balloon Training School
No. 2 Balloon Training School
No. 1 Balloon Training Wing
No. 2 Balloon Training Wing
Balloon Wing
1st Balloon Wing
2nd Balloon Wing
3rd Balloon Wing
4th Balloon Wing
5th Balloon Wing
6th Balloon Wing
7th Balloon Wing
8th Balloon Wing
9th Balloon Wing

References

Citations

  1. ^ Barrass, M. B. (2015). "RAF Squadrons 901–980". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 72.
  3. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 73.
  4. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 74.
  5. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 75.
  6. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 70.
  7. ^ a b c d Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 71.
  8. ^ a b Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 76.
  9. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 77.

Bibliography

  • Sturtivant, Ray; Hamlin, John (2007). Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912. Tonbridge, UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 978-0851-3036-59.
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