The Royal Air Force was founded on April 1st, 1918. They merged the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service towards the end of World War 1. After World War 1 the RAF was greatly reduced and used a police force for Great Britain. Before and during World War 2 it went rapid expansion. The RAF was used for aerial defense, tactical support and bombing campaigns against Germany. Almost one fourth of bomber command's personnel were Canadian.
The most important battle in RAF's history was the battle of Britain. It was a battle to defend Great Britain against the Luftwaffe (Germany's air force). It is described as the only military battle entirely fought by air forces. Germany used nightly bombing raids known as "the Blitz" to try and force Britain to surrender.
After France surrendered, Hitler started to prepare for Operation Sea Lion. It was a sea and air raid on Britain. After the RAF bombed German converted barges it was eventually cancelled. The main goal of the RAF during World War 2 was bombing campaigns against Germany to force them to surrender. Sometimes their raids included up to 1,000 aircraft. The first raid to include a 1,000 aircraft, was Operation Chastise on German dams located in the Ruhr Valley. After the successful raid on the German dams which lead to two destroyed hydroelectric power stations and damaged many more. The dam never returned back to normal function during the war.
The most important battle in RAF's history was the battle of Britain. It was a battle to defend Great Britain against the Luftwaffe (Germany's air force). It is described as the only military battle entirely fought by air forces. Germany used nightly bombing raids known as "the Blitz" to try and force Britain to surrender.
After France surrendered, Hitler started to prepare for Operation Sea Lion. It was a sea and air raid on Britain. After the RAF bombed German converted barges it was eventually cancelled. The main goal of the RAF during World War 2 was bombing campaigns against Germany to force them to surrender. Sometimes their raids included up to 1,000 aircraft. The first raid to include a 1,000 aircraft, was Operation Chastise on German dams located in the Ruhr Valley. After the successful raid on the German dams which lead to two destroyed hydroelectric power stations and damaged many more. The dam never returned back to normal function during the war.