British Military Aviation in 1925

1 January
A new formation encompassing all units of the Royal Air Force’s Home Defence
Force, Air Defences of Great Britain (later renamed Air Defence of Great
Britain) is formed. This in turn is subdivided into Wessex Bombing Area,
which controls all regular bombing squadrons, Fighting Area, which controls
all regular fighter squadrons and an Air Defence Group (later No.1 Air
Defence Group), which consists of the cadre and auxiliary squadrons. The
first Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief is Air Marshal Sir John Salmond.

March
Bristol Fighters and de Havilland DH9s from Nos. 5, 27 and 60 Squadrons
Royal Air Force (RAF) are despatched to the airstrips at Miranshah and
Tank, under the command of Wing Commander R.C.M. Pink, in an effort to
control the Mahsud tribesmen of South Wazirstan. Air action begins against
Mahsud mountain strongholds and an ‘air blockade’ is established. The
air operations are dubbed ‘Pinks’ War’ in honour of the senior Royal Air
Force commander.

The first University Air Squadron (UAS) is formed at Cambridge University.

1 May
The Mahsud tribesmen of South Wazirstan seek peace, ending ‘Pinks’ War’.
Order had been restored at the cost of one aircraft and its crew and no
ground troops were used.

22 May
A flight of Sopwith Snipes of No.1 Squadron supporting force of levy cavalry
en route to Halebja annihilate a large body of Mahmud’s followers who
are caught in the open.

1 October

11 October
The Oxford University Air Squadron is formed.

22 October
No.1 Apprentices Wing is formed at Halton.

October

Outrages by Mahsud tribes in Waziristan are checked by Royal Air Force
(RAF) bombing attacks on evacuated villages.

27 October

Three de Havilland DH9As of No.47 Squadron, led by Squadron Leader A. Coningham,
begin the first trans-African flight. The
detachment flies from Cairo to Kano in Nigeria, arriving back at Cairo
on 19 November.

29 October

The Observer Corps is formed.