Combat Codes

This is the second revised edition of a book that has become the fundamental reference to the unit codes used on RAF and Commonwealth aircraft since 1938. From the inception of the RAF in 1918 the new service developed traditions fast. In particular, its squadrons assumed a combination of heraldic devices and colourful markings with which to identify machines and inspire men. With the potential onset if war in 1938, the very public and well-known unit markings were replaced by two-letter codes, designed to confuse the enemy. Through the uneasy period leading to the formal declaration of war, these codes became well-known locally and there was a second set for application with the onset of war. As the war progressed the unit codes expanded to incorporate numerals and the system expanded to the USAFF and the Commonwealth and the Allied units. To preserve secrecy the codes were only ever listed in a series of top-secret documents and the previous set destroyed. The authors have painstaking researched the codes and building on from earlier works have produced the definitive work on the subject. Vic Flintham has been a regular contributor to aviation magazines for many years. He has previously written Air Wars and Aircraft, and since retiring continues to research post-war aviation history. To overcome a fear of flying he qualified as a private pilot in 2002 and now regularly takes to the air. Andrew Thomas is serving officer in the Royal Air Force, having joined the service direct from school to train as a navigator. He has wide experience of flying in many types of aircraft and has also served on Staff appointments. He has written and co-authored several books, mostly on World War II aviation and is a regular contributor to Aviation Press.

About the Author :
Vic Flintham, Andrew Thomasare are experts in the codes used by the British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Units since 1938. Andrew Thomas retired from the Royal Air Force in 2012 after over 40 years of service. He trained as a navigator and flew a variety of aircraft types from two-seat jets, Shackleton and E-3D AEW aircraft, Nimrod R 1 and the Islander light transport. He also served tours as a flying examiner and on staff duties at Strike (later Air) Command HQ. Since retirement he has served as a reservist on defense engagement and training in the Middle East for the Ministry of Defence. His career was almost exactly bisected by the end of the Cold War, following which he has seen operational service in the Balkans, West Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan. He is an enthusiastic researcher and writer about the history of the RAF and its sister Commonwealth services as well as being a regular contributor to the leading British aviation magazines. He has also written over a dozen titles relating to RAF history.