About

The RAF, the world's first independent air force, was born on 1 April 1918—a milestone in military history. This talk explores whether independence strengthened or weakened Britain's defence policy. Greg Baughen traces the Royal Flying Corps' evolution during the First World War, the rationale for creating an Air Ministry, and the challenges that followed. Greg examines enduring problems and solutions, some echoing the original founders' ideas on air power.

Greg Baughen has been researching the history of British and French air forces for over fifty years   After a varied teaching career in this country and abroad, retirement has provided the time to turn this research into a series of books. The latest book "The RAF's Road to D-Day" takes the story of British air power up to 1944 and the Normandy campaign. Greg's latest book is "The RAF Enters the Atomic Age", which takes the story of British air power into the Cold War.