RAF Balloon Command


Balloon Command was the Royal Air Force command which was responsible for controlling all the United Kingdom-based barrage balloon units during the Second World War.

History

Prior to the establishment of Balloon Command, a balloon group was brought into being in 1937. This smaller formation was known as No. 30 Group and was commanded by Air Commodore John Hearson. Balloon Command was formed on 1 November 1938 at RAF [Stanmore Park] in Middlesex. It consisted of a headquarters and several groups. Balloon Command was disbanded on 5th February 1945.

Commanders

The following officers were in command:

Pre-war organization

Before the Second World War the command had one group - No. 30 Group at four stations:
;No. 1 Balloon Centre at Kidbrooke
;No. 2 Balloon Centre at Hook
;No. 3 Balloon Centre at Stanmore
;No. 4 Balloon Centre at Chigwell
Important: All Balloon Squadrons numbered 901 to 947 were formed within the Auxiliary Air Force prior to the outbreak of war in September 1939, thereafter, the remainder numbered 948 to 999 were RAF Squadrons.

Second World War organization

During World War II, the command had the following organization:
The command consisted of five groups which were in turn subdivided into balloon centres. The organization was as follows:
  • No. 30 Group headquartered at Chessington, near Surbiton, Surrey
  • * No. 1 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 2 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 3 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 4 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 12 Balloon Centre
  • No. 31 Group, Birmingham
  • No. 32 Group headquartered at Claverton Manor, Claverton, near Bath, Somerset
  • * No. 6 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 11 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 13 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 14 Balloon Centre
  • No. 33 Group headquartered at Parkhead House, Abbey Lane, Sheffield, Yorkshire
  • * No. 5 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 6 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 8 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 9 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 10 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 15 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 16 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 17 Balloon Centre
  • No. 34 Group headquartered at Tor House, Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh
  • * No. 15 Balloon Centre
  • * No. 18 Balloon Centre
The dates indicated give the periods for which each group existed as part of Balloon Command. No. 30 and 31 groups also existed in World War I as part of different formations.
The balloon centres in turn consisted of balloon squadrons which were numbered from 900 to 994.