![]() I have a feeling Wills post speaks volumes!Īircrew casualties such as AC2,AC1,and LAC,ie,categorised as aircraftmen would have lost their lives before the edict of 27 June 1940 which stipulated the minimum rank for aircrew would be Sergeant. Were they unofficial crewmen who became casualties or are some of the above posts in correct? OK then, how come I regulary come across Leading Aircraftsman amongst bomber crews buried over here in Belgium? It's not just the odd one either! Generally,the practice was that an NCO pilot would be commissioned after completing his first tour, (200hrs flying over enemy territory,later assessed as being 30 air operations).However,there were exceptions and it was not unknown for Sergeants,completing less than 10 air ops to be commissioned following an endorsement from the Squadron Commander. By 1941/1942 the new designation of Flight Engineer was structured leading to the possibility of commisioning suitable candidates from the Air Bomber/Bomb Aimer, derived from the Observer and Flight Engineer roles.Īll NCO aircrew could be found on all squadrons throughtout the war.Before the outbreak of war, W.O/Gunners were regarded as tradesmen and placed for progression through the ranks from the minimum rank of AC2.Gunners tended to receive gunnery training at local level,ie on,the squadron from an informal transition from tradesmen to gunner but this arrangement was replaced by formal structured training at the newly set up gunnery schools.Īfter 27 June 1940,the minmum rank for aircrew became Sergeant and for aircrew, there was a progression path to commissioned status providing that the candidate could pass an Officer Selection Board. Pilots were placed in the General Duties(GD) Branch and it was envisaged that this commissioned rank would apply to pilots and observers and as the role emerged,navigators.Regarding the status of the observer/navigator,there was some disagreeement between the Air Ministry who wished to have 50% commissioned and the Treasury who wished for the lower figure of 30%.However a start was made in the transformation of the wartime Royal Air Force when it was proposed at the outbreak of war that there should be some consideration to gunners being commissioned which was achieved by February 1940 when gunners as a specialisation were placed in the General Duties (GD) Branch. When Bomber Command went to war,it had three non pilot air crew trades.These were Observer with its origin going back to the Great War,Wireless Operators (Air) as distinct from Wireless Operator which was a ground trade and the Air Gunner.None of these types were commissioned and were regarded as tradesmen as differing from Pilots who were allocated "General Duties" GD category. In wartime Bomber Command,the Squadron COs were at Wing Commander rank,the lowest aircrew rank after 27 June 1940 was Sergeant.The Squadron Commander was normally a pilot and his Flight Commanders,could be three Flights strong,later on, as newer squadrons formed.These would be of Squadron Leader rank,again normally pilots. ![]()
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