RAF Coastal Command was founded in 1936 when the Royal Air Force
restructured into Fighter, Bomber and Coastal Commands. During the
preceding inter-war years, maritime aviation had been seriously
neglected due to the disagreements between the Royal Navy and the
RAF over the ownership, roles and investment in maritime air power.
Consequently, the new Command quickly became known as the
'Cinderella Service'. However, the Command played a key role in the
Allied Victory during the Second World War, particularly during the
Battle of the Atlantic. From a modest beginning, the Command
blossomed into a powerful anti-submarine force when protecting
Allied convoys from the German submarine force, while also
protecting that shipping from attacks by the Luftwaffe. Equipped
with legendary aircraft such as the Sunderland, Wellington,
Catalina and Liberator, along with advances in radar technology
such as the new Mark III ASV (Air-to-surface vessel), it was able
to locate, attack and destroy an increasing number of U-boats that
had fast become the scourge of the convoys. By the end of the
Second World War, Coastal Command had flown more than a million
flying hours, completed 240,000 operations and destroyed 212
U-boats - but suffered an ever higher loss rate than Bomber Command
with 2,060 aircraft lost, along with the lives of 5,866 personnel.
Post-war, Coastal Command saw a significant rundown but still made
a contribution to the Berlin Airlift. When equipped with the new
Shackleton aircraft, their activities shifted to anti-submarine
patrols against the Soviet Navy and other fleets of the Warsaw
Pact, particularly in the Atlantic. In 1969, Coastal Command was
absorbed into the newly formed Strike Command. Illustrated with
images from the Air Historical Branch - many of which have never
previously been published.
General
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