cam . # .

Nomenclature confusion: The RFC caused some unnecessary confusion here, and the AFC didnt follow it up soon enough so squash the confusion because they initially called their squadrons things like No.2 Flying Squadron rather than No.2 AFC. Since the AFC squadrons were coming through the RFC logistical and supply system they gave them RFC names. ie;

• 1 sqn AFC became 67 Sqn RFC
• 2 Sqn AFC became 68 Sqn RFC
• 3 Sqn AFC became 69 Sqn RFC
• 4 Sqn AFC became 71 Sqn RFC

Richard Williams did not like it, believing the RFC had as much right to rename the AFC squadrons as they did call the 9th Division AIF - the Royal Northumberland Division!

Since the AIF and AFC complained the nomenclaute got changed by the RFC to 67 (Australian) RFC then to 67 Sqn Australian Flying Corps before they finally caught up with the AIF and called the squadrons 1 Sqn AFC.

By the time the RFC/RNAS became the RAF, the Australian flying squadrons had finally got their Australian nomenclature back. Since the AIF called the AFC squadrons by their name, and the confusion was of the RFC\'s making, this site refers to them by their AFC name only.

So in reality there never was a 71 Sqn RAF that was Australian, and there also really wasnt a 71 Sqn RFC either, as it really was 4 Sqn AFC everywhere except for in the British bookkeeping

Hope that helps clear up the confusion.

As to some 4 Sqn AFC memorabilia, one of the best books on No.4 Sqn AFC is by Arthur Cobby, his autobiography \"High Adventure\" is a great larrikin like read.

cam

cam . # .

From Richard Williams: In \"These Are Facts\";

Neither AIF Headquarters in Egypt nor 5th Wing RFC there was aware of our imminent arrival although 5th Wing had advice of the formation of a squadron in Australia which would join his command and be known as No.67 (Australian) Squadron, RFC. There was no more authority for calling us a squadron of the RFC than there was, for example, for calling the 9th Battalion AIF the 23rd Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment.

This was what might be called a \"flow-on\" of the wish expressed in London that Dominion personnel should serve in the RFC and it took much correspondence before we were referred to by the RFC in official correspondence (in January 1918) as No.1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps.

and;

About this time too, we were advised that henceforth we would be known officially as No.1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps - it had taken almost two years to get rid of the RFC No.67 and even this was for some unexplained reason done in two bites, for during 1917 an AIF order stated that we were to be known as No.67 Australian Flying Corps. I cannot imagine who was clever enough to work out a reason for that.

Williams was a century before his time. His core belief was that Australian solutions to Australian issues were superior. No wonder it was the great anglophile, Robert Menzies, that kicked him out when Williams\' beliefs were needed the most in WWII. Instead we got a British hack running the RAAF and the EATS diverting pilots to Europe. Curtin was just as bad as Menzies was too.

cam

ajcooper . # .

Williams: Could you please define Williams\' beliefs in this context?