World War 1, Middle East, Australian Flying Corps, 1917

In 1914, Australia’s military aviation began modestly at the newly established Central Flying School at Point Cook, with just two flying instructors and five basic training aircraft. Despite this small start, Australia became the only British dominion to create its own flying corps for World War I. The Australian Flying Corps (AFC), part of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), had four combat squadrons that served separately under Britain’s Royal Flying Corps. The first unit, No. 1 Squadron, was deployed to the Middle East in 1916, while three more squadrons (Nos. 2, 3, and 4) were later formed for operations in France. An Australian Training Wing was also created in England to prepare pilots for service on the Western Front.
Personnel in the AFC came from varied backgrounds. Many in No. 1 Squadron were former Light Horsemen, valued for their fitness, reflexes, and character. Others, like Captain Frank McNamara, the AFC’s only Victoria Cross recipient, came from civilian roles—he had been a schoolteacher. Many men transferred from infantry units, drawn by the promise of greater independence and comfort compared to the harsh conditions of trench warfare.
After the war, No. 4 Squadron joined the British Army of Occupation, entering Germany in December 1918. All AFC squadrons left Europe by March 1919. In total, 460 officers and 2,234 men served in the AFC, with 178 killed—relatively low casualties by World War I standards. The AFC played a foundational role in shaping Australia’s air capabilities and laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).