Uniforms of the Royal Air Force of the Second World War. British aviation in World War II

The Royal Air Force was created in 1918 to protect the borders of the United Kingdom. are subordinate to the Ministry of Defense and carry out tasks determined by the country's top military leadership.

Aviation and economics

RAF aircraft have never participated in military campaigns; the squadrons have not updated their fleet of aircraft for years. Due to low activity, the department in 1990 began reducing personnel, which over twelve years, from 1990 to 2002, decreased from 92 to 54 thousand people. Financial costs for maintaining the Air Force were significantly reduced. In 2007, the number of command personnel, pilots and maintenance personnel amounted to 47,712 people, and the technical base included 828 aircraft and helicopters. Outdated equipment was written off, new aircraft were mothballed.

In 2010, there was a need to update the fleet of aircraft, both combat and auxiliary. The expansion of the material base was associated with difficult political situation in several countries at once, primarily in Libya and Morocco. The UK Parliament has adopted a number of recommendations to encourage the acquisition of new technology, airplanes, helicopters and airfield equipment.

Modernized Tornado GR4 and Typhoons were purchased. Additional transport aircraft were supplied by Vickers, the VC-10 model, which has a long fuselage. "Ten" can accommodate up to three hundred personnel and can be very useful when transporting people over long distances.

Structure

Currently, the Royal Air Force consists of three air groups. The first includes all attack aircraft, fighters and bombers. The group has several of its own training high-speed attack aircraft, on which pilots practice new maneuvers. A certain number of combat vehicles combine two functions - a fighter and a bomber. This versatility allows us to minimize the number of aircraft flying on a mission.

RAF fighters

The first air group includes 12 squadrons stationed in different regions of the country. Main backbone attack aircraft consists of Tornado GR4 aircraft. The mission of the fighters is fighting in the air and damage to ground targets. The efficiency of Tornado is very high. There are 95 of them in the 1st Air Group and all of them are fighter-bombers. The group also includes 22 Tornado reconnaissance aircraft.

There are 100 F1 multirole fighters in the squadrons of the 1st Air Group.

The commander of 1 Group is Air Vice-Marshal Christopher Harper. His staff consists of 12 senior and junior officers.

Second air group

This air force includes twenty-two squadrons, including support aircraft. The cars in the hangars are both ultra-modern and well-worn, from previous years. There is enough work for both. Currently, the squadrons of the second air group are equipped with aircraft and helicopters of the following brands:

• "Chinook NS2".
• "Sea King NAR3".
• "Hercules C4".
• "Merlin NS3".
• "Puma NS1".
• "Griffin NT".
• "Globemaster III"
• VC-10.

Group number 22

The Royal Air Force also includes Air Group 22, a pilot training unit dedicated to improving the flying skills of pilots. The group has aircraft equipped with special equipment.

These are the models:

• "Domini T1".
• "Scurell."
• "Tucano."
• "Hawk TA";

The best aircraft of the Royal Air Force

Squadrons in the United Kingdom are equipped with a variety of combat vehicles. Among them may be American and French brands, German and Swedish. However, the most common model of combat aircraft is the Tornado GR4, the brainchild of the German concern Messerschmidt. In second place is the Typhoon fighter, efficient machine for air combat. Both aircraft are in service with NATO, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Saudi Arabia.

The RAF Tornado aircraft has proven itself to be a reliable fighter-attack aircraft. In the event of English participation in any international conflict, fighters and attack bombers are redeployed to a NATO air base located in close proximity to the theater of operations. After reconnaissance, the squadron begins combat missions, and the RAF Tornado is always in the forefront of the attack.

"Tornado GR4"

The Panavia Tornado turbojet combat aircraft is presented in two modifications: a fighter-bomber, index GR4, and a reconnaissance-interceptor, GR4A.

Design features include wings with variable geometry, which is an important advantage in air combat conditions. The two-seater "Tornado" is always ready to perform any mission to destroy the enemy, regardless of weather conditions and time of day. The plane is equipped with a special scanner that provides information about approaching the surface of the earth. The Tornado is practically capable of flying blind.

The vehicle is equipped with electronic means of reconnaissance and target detection, primarily the Raptor system. Among the most recent advances are laser targeting and the LRMTS system, which is capable of finding a previously marked target.

Combat use:

• 1991 Gulf War, 41 aircraft participated;
• 1998-2011, military company in Iraq;
• 1999, war in Kosovo; 2011, military conflict in Libya;
• 2012, the war in Afghanistan continues to the present;

Fighter "Typhoon"

The development of the combat vehicle began in 1988 corporately, in several countries at once. In 1998, Great Britain acquired 53 fighters for its air force. Initially, the aircraft were intended to be used only in air battles, but as necessary, during the fighting in Afghanistan, fighters began to be used like bombers to destroy ground targets.

In 2008, the Typhoon was officially recognized as a multirole fighter.

Specifications:

• aircraft length - 16.8 meters;
• height - 6 meters;
• wingspan, maximum - 13.9 meters;
• load capacity - 9 tons;
• weight - 14,100 kg;
• power plant - two Rolls-Royce brands with a thrust of 7620 kg/cm;
• speed close to maximum - 2340 km/h;
• ceiling - 15 thousand meters;
• runway - 760 meters;

Weapons:

• Mauser system guns, two barrels;
• ALARM missiles, up to nine;
• ASRAAM air-to-air missiles;
• Brimstone and Shadow Storm missiles;
• "Peiwei 2" and four-hundred-kilogram "Penguin" bombs;
• complex of surveillance and reconnaissance systems;

Transport aircraft

In addition to combat vehicles, the British Air Force is also provided with cargo vehicles. Transport heavyweights such as the Globmaster III, Boeing C17A, American-made Lockheed 1011, and British-made Vickers VC-10 were purchased in large quantities.

Given the need for constant relocation, cargo aircraft were indispensable, ensuring the transportation of multi-ton weapons and equipment over vast distances within several days. The importance of transport operations can hardly be overestimated; the squadron was supplied with everything necessary uninterruptedly and in the shortest possible time.

An important role was played by heavy helicopters such as Merlin NS3, Chinook C2, and Westland Puma. These vehicles transported quartermaster cargo within the base and airfield.

This is an abstract of Jon Lake's article "A moving target", published in the October issue of Combat Aircraft magazine, where the author discusses the future of British fighter and strike aircraft. A number of provisions of the article are of undoubted interest.

Thus, the author notes that in 2010, then Air Vice-Marshal Greg Bagwell noted that the Royal Air Force command expected to have five squadrons of Eurofighter Typhoon fighters and one squadron of F-35B fighters in service. That is, by 2020 the Air Force will have six squadrons of combat aircraft. According to him, in 2020 they will include 107 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters of the Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 series, as well as approximately 40 F-35B in a single squadron of increased personnel. The author notes that at that time Bagwell had 12 squadrons under his command (three Typhoon, seven Tornado and two Harrier). However, in the same 2010, two Tornado squadrons and all squadrons with Harriers were reduced. By comparison, in 1989 the UK had 30 fighter squadrons.

The RAF currently operates eight squadrons of combat jet aircraft: five squadrons of Typhoon fighters (105 Tranche 1 and 2 series aircraft), and three squadrons of Tornado GR4 fighter-bombers (totaling 87 aircraft) - that is, a total of 192 combat jets. airplane.

In accordance with today's plans, three squadrons with Tornado (87 aircraft) will be reduced by 2019, at the same time all remaining 53 Typhoon Tranche 1 fighters will be taken out of service. The loss of 140 aircraft will be partially compensated by the purchase of Typhoon Tranche 3 fighters, increasing the number of Tranche2 fighters /3 to 107, as well as a small number of F-35Bs (maximum 20 aircraft by 2019, but most likely closer to 14 aircraft). Four F-35Bs have already been ordered, and 14 more have been “approved” for purchase.

That is, in the best case scenario, the RAF would have no more than 127 combat aircraft, but more likely no more than 121 - the smallest number of first-line aircraft since the creation of the RAF on 1 April 1918. This number of aircraft will be able to equip no more than six squadrons (five on Typhoon, one on F-35B). Although the UK has plans to buy 138 F-35s, few believe this will happen, even in the long term. Although military numbers on the F-35 were issued several years ago, there appear to be only 66 of them, and to date, most analysts and experts are inclined to believe that no more than 48 F-35s will be purchased. That is total number The number of combat aircraft in the RAF will be 155. However, the F-35B is unlikely to become fully operational before 2023, when the UK expects to declare it fully operational from land-based airfields and offshore platforms [CVF-type aircraft carriers].

Combat Aircraft carried out an informal survey of current and former Royal Air Force personnel which found that five squadrons was the minimum, with eight squadrons being optimal.

The author believes that there may be discussions regarding the need to decommission the Typhoon Tranche 1 fighters, which by that time will have exhausted only a third of their assigned life. Their preservation will make it possible to have six, or even seven squadrons.

FOREIGN MILITARY REVIEW No. 9/2010, pp. 44-53

AIR FORCE

Captain A.GOLOVIN

The British Air Force is an independent branch of the armed forces. Its official name is royal air Force(RAF -Royal Air Force). The day of creation of this type of aircraft is considered to be April 1, 1918, when the aviation corps and naval aviation service were united. The National Air Force is designed to perform a wide range of tasks in close cooperation with the ground forces and naval forces as part of NATO's combined air forces (NAF) both in the bloc's area of ​​responsibility and outside it, or independently.

In accordance with the doctrinal guidelines of the military-political leadership, the main tasks of the Air Force in peacetime are: air defense national territory and objects nuclear potential countries, military transport, search and rescue of crews of aircraft and ships in distress, as well as participation in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations under the auspices of international organizations.

IN war time The British Air Force is tasked with gaining and maintaining air superiority, providing close air support to the ground forces and navy, conducting aerial reconnaissance and electronic warfare, ensuring air defense of troops and important facilities in the country.

The basis of the Air Force is combat aviation, which, in interaction with other types of armed forces, is capable of having a decisive impact on the defeat of the opposing enemy. The air force also includes all air defense forces and means, including fighter aircraft, anti-aircraft missile systems and radio equipment. To ensure combat operations of all types armed forces they have auxiliary aviation.

Organization and combat personnel. The British Air Force, directly supervised by the Chief of the Air Force Staff, is organizationally consolidated into Air Command. It is responsible for the readiness of Air Force formations and units for combat use and carries out administrative management of the 1st, 2nd and 22nd aviation groups, the air components of the commands of the British Armed Forces on the island. Cyprus and the Falkland Islands, as well as a separate air defense regiment and protection of Air Force facilities.

The total number of air force personnel in Peaceful time 43 thousand people. During the mobilization deployment, it can be increased to 90 thousand people. The formation of new combat aviation units and the replenishment of the aircraft fleet is planned to be carried out through combat training squadrons and the reserve aircraft of the Air Force.

In total, the Air Force has: 18 squadrons of combat aircraft (of which six squadrons of aircraft carrying nuclear weapons); 16 - auxiliary aircraft and 10 helicopter squadrons.

The Air Force is armed with: about 600 combat aircraft, including up to 200 in reserve; 450 auxiliary aircraft, including 20 reserve;

Organizational structure of the Royal Air Force

two drones aircraft; 130 helicopters; six anti-aircraft missile systems short range.

Air Force Headquarters (High Wycombe) includes five departments: operations, personnel, intelligence and security, cooperation, logistics and cantonment. They are led by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force through his deputy.

The Chief of the Air Force Staff reports to the Chief of the Defense Staff, is responsible for preparing the Air Force for military operations, monitors the progress of plans for the construction and equipping of the Air Force with new aircraft, is responsible for maintaining the required level of combat readiness, mobilization deployment of the Air Force in accordance with existing plans, as well as for the moral and psychological state of personnel.

1st Tactical Aviation Group(headquarters in High Wycombe) is divided into offensive and defensive forces, which include 18 combat aviation squadrons: 11 tactical fighter-bomber squadrons (1,3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 14, 31,617, 15 and 20 ibae); two fighter-assault aircraft (800, 801 ishae); two fighter air defenses (43, 111 air defense aviation); two tactical reconnaissance (2 and 13 rae) and one special purpose(100 ae SpN).

The air group is assigned the following tasks: gaining and maintaining air superiority, isolating the combat area, direct air support, intercepting and destroying enemy air targets, and conducting tactical air reconnaissance.

Aircraft AWACS and controlE-3 D A W.A. C.S.

The squadrons of the 1st Air Group are armed with combat aircraft the following types: Harrier attack aircraft (modifications GR.7 and GR.9), Tornado GR.4, tactical fighters Tornado F.3 and Typhoon F.2, Hawk T.1 training aircraft. In total, the aviation group has 317 aircraft.

2nd Aviation Group of Auxiliary and Support Aviation(headquarters in High Wycombe) has the following squadrons: two - aircraft comrade AWACS and control (8 and 23 ae AEW and control), one - electronic warfare aircraft (51 ae electronic warfare), one reconnaissance aircraft (5 rae) and three - base patrol aircraft (42, 120 and 201 pae), aviation UAV (39 ae UAV), six military transport aircraft (24, 30, 47, 70 tae, one strategic military transport aircraft - 99 stae and one for transporting the country's leadership and armed forces - 32 ae), as well as two transport and refueling aviation squadrons (101 and 216 TZE), seven helicopter squadrons (7.18, 27, 28, 33, 78 and 230 VE), three search and rescue helicopter squadrons (22, 202 VE PSS and 203 UCHBVE PSS).

This formation is entrusted with the tasks of transporting troops and military cargo by air, conducting electronic warfare, ensuring the refueling of aircraft in the air, AWACS of air targets and controlling aviation in the air, as well as ensuring the functioning of operational control and warning bodies of the UK air defense system.

The 2nd Air Group is armed with the following types of aircraft: AWACS and control aircraft E-3D, TZS VC.10K3 and VC.10K4, Tristar (modifications K.1 and K.S1), tactical military-technical aircraft "Hercules" (modifications C.I , C.3, C.4, C.5), strategic military-technical technical equipment S-17A, administrative - BAe 125 SS.Z, VAe 146 SS.2 and A 109, reconnaissance - Sentinel R.1, Nim UAV aircraft -rod" (modifications R. 1 and MR.2), as well as several MQ-9 "Riper" UAVs - a total of 117 units. In addition, the helicopters in service are: search and rescue "Sea King" HAR.3, transport and landing "Chinook", "Puma" NS. 1 and "Merlin" NS.Z - up to 100 units in total.

Multirole tactical fighter "Typhoon"F.2

22nd Aviation Group (training)(headquarters in High Wycombe) is designed to solve the problems of manning the Air Force, professional training in all military specialties, billeting, pensions and legal support. It includes: 1st (72 and 207 units) and 3rd (45 and 55 units) flying aviation schools in Linton-on-Ouse, as well as 4th (19 and 208 units) in the Valley, helicopter school ( 60 Uchve PSS) in Shawbury, initial flight training schools in Cranwell, 41st Air Reserve Squadron (Coningsby), Red Arrow demonstration air station (Scampton), other training units and institutions.

In addition, the operational composition of this air group includes aircraft from the warehouse reserve, private aviation companies and the United Aviation College (Cosford).

The air group is armed with the following types of combat training aircraft: tactical fighters "Typhoon" (modifications F. 1 and F.2), attack aircraft "Harrier" (T.4 and T. 10), "Tucano" T.1, "King" Er", "Domini" T.1, "Jaguar" GR.1, "Hawk" (T.1 and T.1A), "Jet Provost" (modifications T.Z, T.4 and T.5) - total 397 units.

The administrative department of the headquarters of the air command is entrusted with the tasks of administrative management of directly subordinate units stationed outside the metropolis (on the island of Cyprus - the 84th helicopter squadron of the PSS; on the Falkland Islands - the 1435th fighter aviation unit, the 1312th transport aviation unit , as well as the 1564th separate helicopter flight).

Attack aircraft "Harrier"GR.7

Jaguar attack aircraftGR.3

Aerodrome network. In the UK there are currently about 200 airfields of various classes (including 25 with unpaved runways), 100 of which are suitable for use modern aviation. Most of them are located in the southeast and south of the country. The national air force command has up to 50 airfields at its disposal, some of which are constantly used for basing combat, military transport and auxiliary aircraft. For air traffic control, surveillance radar stations are installed in the airfield areas: AR-1, SR.787, S.511, AN/FPN-47 and AN/CPN-18.

Air defense in the country is provided by the forces and means of the national air defense system. Its main task in peacetime is to prevent violations of airspace, and in wartime it is to cover the most important areas, facilities, troop groups and naval groups. Responsibility for organizing the air defense of the area and the state of air defense forces and means is assigned to the chief of staff of the Air Force.

The national air defense system is part of the North zone of NATO's joint air defense system in Europe (British Air Defense Region). It includes the territory and airspace of Great Britain with the Faroe and Shetland Islands, the English Channel, the southern part of Norway and the western part North Seas.

There are two sectors in the air defense area: 1st and 2nd, the operational centers of which are located in the cities of Boddam and Nithishead, respectively. The area of ​​responsibility of the 1st sector covers the territory of Scotland and the airspace over the adjacent waters of the Norwegian and North Seas, and the 2nd - the central and southern parts of Great Britain and the airspace over the adjacent waters of the Irish and North Seas, as well as over the English Channel.

Control of air defense forces and means within air defense sectors is carried out from their operational centers, which are located away from settlements and are equipped with underground control points. They are subordinate to three control and warning centers, as well as four monitoring and warning posts. At the centers and posts, one multifunctional radar (type 92, AR.320, S.723 Martello) is activated around the clock.

To increase the survivability of the air defense system in the UK, five positions of mobile air defense observation and warning posts (MAPO) have been prepared. Two of them (Auston, Brighton) are located in the 1st air defense sector and three (Blundeston, Blakeney, Mandsley) in the 2nd. One transportable S.723 Martello or AR.320 radar can be deployed at each position. Special sites have been prepared for their placement on the territory of MPNO.

When forming an overall picture of the air situation, data is also used from the E-3D AWACS aircraft on patrol from the 8th and 23rd Aircraft AWACS and Control Squadrons, which are based at Waddington airfield, as well as from the detection and tracking radar post ballistic missiles and space facilities of the Beamyus system in Fylingdales Moor of the US Air Force Space Command. This allows you to significantly expand the detection zones of air targets.

Major RAF airfields

Air defense fighter "Tornado" KZ

Aircraft of the base patrol aircraft "Nimrod"R.1

The active forces and assets of the British Air Defense Region include six short-range Rapier air defense systems and 40 Tornado F.3 air defense fighters. In addition, fighter-bomber squadrons can be involved in solving air defense tasks.

Taking into account the available active air defense forces and means in the area, the principle of object-zonal air defense has been implemented as optimal, according to which fighter aircraft and missile defense units are aimed at intercepting and destroying enemy air in strictly defined areas (areas of responsibility). Air defense forces work closely with UK air traffic control (ATC) authorities and services to obtain information about aircraft flying in ATC-controlled sectors.

The duty forces in each air defense sector are assigned two Tornado F.3 fighters, which are ready for departure within 5-15 minutes.

In peacetime, general management of the ATC system is carried out by national service air traffic. It combines the military and civilian ATC services. The first is responsible for controlling the flights of military aircraft in training zones, areas of aviation training grounds and military airfields, the second is responsible for air traffic control on air routes and in airport areas. During a period of threat, management of this system is transferred to military control bodies.

Headquarters military service The ATC, which has the status of the Operations Division of RAF Headquarters Air Command, is co-located with the Civil ATC Administration at the cantonment of Uxbridge (west London). Direct control of traffic in the country's airspace is carried out by two air traffic control centers: Swanwick and Prestwick.

The picture of the air situation for the dispatch services of ATC centers is formed on the basis of radar data received from the network of radar posts (RLP) of the ATC. There are about 30 such posts in the UK. In wartime, they can be used in the interests of the air defense system to expand the detection zone of air targets at low altitudes.

Operational and combat training The Royal Air Force conducts complex (both NATO and national plans), tactical flight and command post exercises, combat readiness checks of units and units, as well as daily combat training. It is aimed at increasing the combat readiness and training of headquarters, command and control bodies and units of all types of aviation in organizing and conducting combat operations. Particular attention is paid to developing tasks that can be solved during operations of the Allied Forces, NATO Allied Forces in the European Theater of War, and, in addition, issues of interaction with the Navy.

Transport and refueling aircraft "Tristar"

In the process of combat training, they practice next questions: transfer of aviation formations, units and subunits from a peaceful position to a military one and checking their combat readiness; interaction during participation in armed conflicts and peacekeeping operations; preparation and conduct (together with other NATO countries and independently) of air offensive and defensive operations; carrying out strikes to isolate combat areas; providing close air support to ground forces and naval forces; repelling massive enemy air raids, covering troops and facilities from air strikes; conducting aerial reconnaissance; organization of control of aviation, air defense forces and means when solving various tasks in the context of the use of weapons of mass destruction and electronic warfare equipment; transfer of troops, military equipment and cargo to various theaters of operations; logistics support for troops. According to foreign media reports, the Air Force annually conducts about 50 different events (20 according to national plans and up to 30 according to NATO command plans).

The flight and tactical training program is compiled in accordance with the standards of the unit. The preparation and conduct of offensive and defensive air operations is carried out during staff training as part of the joint air force and special competition exercises. Currently, to simulate complex air conditions, they are increasingly used computer technology, special equipment and simulators that make it possible to create a specific situation with “real” goals, which leads to a significant reduction in the forces and means involved in the exercises. Thus, the combat training program for British Air Force personnel covers the entire range of tasks they solve and allows them to maintain the combat readiness of units at the required level.

Prospects for the construction of the national air force. The construction of the British air force is carried out in accordance with the document “The British Armed Forces Development Program for the period until 2015.”

The main goal of the ongoing activities is to create smaller and combat personnel, but with greater combat capabilities of aviation formations, capable of independently or in cooperation with units and formations ground forces and the Navy to solve a wide range of tasks in any theater of operations, mainly as part of multinational NATO and EU groups.

Transport and landing helicopter CH-47 "Chinook"

In this regard, measures are being taken to optimize the organizational structure and management system of the national air force. Thus, in 2010, it is planned to disband a separate regiment of air defense and protection of Air Force facilities and form on its basis a brigade for the protection of Air Force facilities, while transferring the functions of providing air defense of air bases to the ground forces.

The 43rd and 111th fighter squadrons (Tornado F.3 aircraft) of the 1st Aviation Group are to be disbanded, and the tasks of providing air defense for the British air defense region are supposed to be assigned to the 3rd and 11th fighter squadrons, armed with " Typhoon F.2.

The leadership of the country's Air Force believes that the strengthening of the combat power of the air force will be carried out through rearmament modern types aviation equipment, modernization of existing equipment and equipping it precision weapons with a long range. In particular, in 2011 it is planned to complete the modernization of all Harrier GR.7 vertical take-off and landing tactical fighters into the GR.9 version, as well as equipping the Tornado GR.4 fighters with suspended containers with an improved Lightening sighting system.

Equipping strike aircraft with promising high-precision medium- and long-range weapons with more effective warheads will make it possible to strike stationary and mobile targets without entering the air defense coverage area, hitting several targets simultaneously, as well as reduce the amount of ammunition consumed and the composition of strike groups.

The UK is actively participating in the American program to create the F-35 JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) fighter.

It is planned to increase the range of tactical aircraft of the British Air Force through the use of air refueling facilities. To this end, the UK continues to develop, together with France, Germany and Spain, a new strategic transport and refueling aircraft, the A.330-200MRTT. The program is managed by the joint consortium "Ertanker", which is to build 14 TZS to replace the existing fleet of TZS of the national air force (it is planned to deliver: in 2011 - one, in 2012 - two, in 2013 - five, in 2014 - three, one in 2015 and two in 2016).

Foreign media note that a noticeable increase in the capabilities of the military aviation should be expected after 2011 with the beginning of the mass entry into the troops of the A.400M military transport aircraft. It is planned to supply the British Air Force with 25 of these machines to gradually replace the outdated tactical military-technical aircraft C-130 Hercules, the last of which will be in service until 2030.

It is planned to improve the quality of training for pilots of the national air force through the entry into service of 30 Hawk-128 combat training aircraft by 2012.

It should be noted that the country’s military department, in order to increase the efficiency of the use of military aviation, intends to shift some of the reconnaissance and attack missions to UAVs.

An assessment of the operational capabilities of the British Air Force's aviation groupings by mission and the dynamics of their changes over the next six to eight years show that there will be a significant reduction in the operational capabilities of the RAF reconnaissance aviation grouping. This determines the importance of purchasing 10 multi-purpose MQ-9 Reaper UAVs by 2012 and developing our own promising complexes with reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles.

Improvement of command and control bodies of reconnaissance forces and assets will occur primarily through the integration of command and control, communications, reconnaissance and electronic warfare systems to ensure their operational and technical interaction (interface), as well as standardization and unification of parameters technical means accepted into NATO.

Thus, the combat composition of the British Air Force in the period up to 2015 will change significantly, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The basis of the aircraft fleet will be tactical fighters with improved tactical and technical characteristics. An increase in the number of UAVs in combat and reconnaissance aviation units and formations is expected, which will be caused by the widespread introduction into the aviation industry of various technical developments based on the latest technologies.

However, despite the expected significant increase in potential combat capabilities, the British Air Force will be able to implement them only as part of NATO’s joint aviation groups, while remaining deeply integrated into the structure of command and control and operational support of the bloc’s air forces.

By November 1918, the end of the First World War, the British Air Force (RAF—Royal Air Force, an independent air force as a branch of service was created on April 1, 1918) numbered 27 thousand officers and about 300 thousand flight and ground personnel (of which - about 32 thousand women). These people served 188 first-echelon squadrons, 187 training squadrons and some other units - a total of 3,300 aircraft and 103 balloons. London's air defense was provided by 11 squadrons, 286 anti-aircraft guns and 387 searchlights, air command posts with radio telephones, and some fighters had night sights. The aviation industry employed about 347 thousand people. However, “the war to end all wars” was over.

The conclusion of peace led to a rapid reduction in the Air Force: by January 1920, over 26 thousand officers and 227 thousand personnel were fired. Of the 99 squadrons on the Western Front, by the end of October 1919, only one remained. The air defense system disappeared completely, including communications systems.

The Air Force, as an independent branch of the military, had to literally fight for survival. Hugh Trenchard, Chief of Staff and Marshal of the Royal Air Force since 1927, virtually rebuilt them “from the ashes,” as Chaz Bowyer put it. Trenchard had to fight with competitors - the army, navy, and also civil politicians— for the right of the Air Force to be independent: after the end of the war there was absolutely not enough money for everyone.

A significant advantage of the Air Force was the ability to use it in many colonial conflicts fought by Great Britain in the 20-30s of the last century. A relatively small number of aircraft and their crews made it possible to quickly and cheaply take control of vast, inaccessible territories.

Thus, on May 25, 1919, the heavy bomber Handley Page V/1500 “Old Carthusian” dropped four 51-kilogram (112-pound) and sixteen 10-kilogram bombs on Kabul (the only combat operation of aircraft of this type), which contributed to the completion of the third British war. Afghan war: immediately after the introduction of the air fleet, the situation changed sharply in favor of the British. In 1920, aircraft bombed the positions of supporters of the “mad mullah” Mohammed Hassan in Somalia and rebels in Iraq. From June to December 1920 alone, 97.5 tons of bombs were dropped in Iraq over 4,000 flight hours, with the loss of 11 aircraft and 9 pilots. By 1922, 8 squadrons were stationed in Iraq, which kept in obedience a huge country that was extremely hostile to the British, although the number of rebels at times exceeded 130 thousand people.

Trenchard wrote that air power should be a preventive force. The demonstration of its capabilities must be concentrated and long-lasting, and the “punishment” must be strong and long-lasting. Trenchard ordered that warning leaflets be dropped at least 24 hours before the bombing of villages. Also in 1922, aviation suppressed protests in South Africa. In addition to strike operations, aviation provided reconnaissance, communications, and, at times, supplies.

The year 1923 provided an example of the transfer of troops by air: about 300 soldiers with machine guns were transported 100 km, and the sick and wounded were also evacuated. In 1929, planes evacuated 586 European refugees from Kabul to India. The Air Force significantly outperformed its competitors in terms of price-effectiveness ratio: in Somalia, pilots crushed resistance in two weeks, spending 40-77 thousand pounds sterling versus 6.5 million pounds for an alternative ground operation. It is curious that the future head of the Royal Air Force Bomber Command in World War II, Arthur Harris, commanded the 45th Squadron in Iraq.

The workhorse of the first years of post-war British aviation was the heavy twin-engine Vickers Vimy bomber. Like the four-engined Handley Page V/1500, it was developed for the First World War, but did not make it in time. In peacetime Vickers Vimy supplied whole line world records and made the first successful flight across Atlantic Ocean- under the control of pilots John Alcock and Arthur Brown in May 1919. Other participants in the flights were Fairey IIID reconnaissance aircraft and Southampton flying boats.

Limitations in funding for the Air Force led to the fact that even in 1930, aircraft from the end of the First World War continued to be used “in the first line” - the De Havilland 9A and Bristol F2B, which fought a lot in India. Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8, considered completely obsolete back in 1918, continued to be used in Iraq in the 1920s.

When John Salmond became Marshal of the Air Force in January 1930, the RAF had 57 squadrons, 22 of which were based outside Britain, plus 9 Special Reserve squadrons. Four years later, on January 1, 1934, the Air Force had grown to 90 squadrons—1,794 aircraft.

The growth of aviation capabilities, especially military aviation, raised fears for the fate of London, whose vulnerability from the air had been proven back in the First World War. The Air Force headquarters argued that the losses of the population of London on the first day of the war would amount to 20 thousand people, and in a week - 150 thousand. Against the backdrop of England's centuries-long invulnerability, such calculations, coupled with many books about air invasions, led almost to hysteria. Development chemical weapons, the active use of aviation in China, Ethiopia and Spain only exacerbated fears. In September-October 1935, several squadrons of Hawker and Fairey light biplane bombers were secretly transferred from England closer to the battlefields in Ethiopia.

At the air parade on July 6, 1935, 356 aircraft from 37 squadrons flew - and all were biplanes, with models ranging in age from 5 to 15 years. The need to update the aircraft fleet has become obvious. On November 6 of the same year, the prototype of the Hurricane monoplane fighter made its first flight, and on March 5, 1936, the prototype of the later famous Spitfire made its first flight. If in 1936 the “air budget” amounted to 39 million pounds, then in 1938 it was already 111.5 million. Moreover, the need to protect the mother country led to the supply of colonial units on a residual basis. Thus, the multi-purpose WestlandWapity biplane, a development of the DH 9A, served in India from 1928 to 1940. Only in the summer of 1938 did pilots begin to master the all-metal BlenheimI bomber. By the time of the Munich Agreement, the RAF had 149 squadrons in the first line.

But in addition to completely new aircraft, trained pilots, infrastructure and much more were also required. The politics of the “lean years” of the 20s and the fluctuations of the early 30s had an effect. And on the threshold there was already a new war - World War II.

The author of the text is Evgeniy Belash.

Sources:

• Bowyer, Chaz. RAF Operations 1918-1938. William Kimber & Co. Limited, 1988.
• Buckley John. Air Power in the Age of Total War. 1999.
• Omissi David E. Air Power and Colonial Control: The Royal Air Force, 1919-1939. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1990.
• Ashmore. Air defense England during the World War and at present. - M.: Military Publishing House NKO USSR, 1936. P. 128.

RAF Lossiemouth Formed September 6, 2010 9 Sqn Tornado GR4 RAF Marham Bomber Squadron 11 Sqn Typhoon FGR4 RAF Coningsby 12 Sqn Tornado GR4 RAF Marham Bomber Squadron 15(R)Sqn Tornado GR4 RAF Lossiemouth Combat training, Reserve 17(R)Sqn F-35B Edwards AFB, USA Combat training, Reserve 29(R)Sqn Typhoon FGR4 RAF Coningsby Combat training, Reserve 31 Sqn Tornado GR4 RAF Marham Bomber Squadron 41 Sqn mixed RAF Coningsby 100 Sqn Hawk T1/T1A RAF Leeming Tactical training 617 Sqn RAF Lossiemouth awaiting F-35B

2 air group

Squadron number	Armament	Location	Note
5 (AC) Sqn	Sentinel R1/ASTOR	RAF Waddington	Army support Special reconnaissance
7 Sqn	Chinook HC2/3	RAF Odiham
8 Sqn	E-3D Sentry AEW1	RAF Waddington	AWACS
10 Sqn	Airbus Voyager	RAF Brize Norton	Air refueling Strategic air transport
13 Sqn	MQ-9 Reaper	RAF Waddington	UAV
14 Sqn	Beechcraft Shadow R1	RAF Waddington	Special reconnaissance
18 Sqn	Chinook HC2	RAF Odiham	Unified Helicopter Command
24 Sqn	Hercules C.4/C.5	RAF Brize Norton
27 Sqn	Chinook HC2	RAF Odiham	Unified Helicopter Command
28 Sqn	Merlin HC3	RAF Benson	Unified Helicopter Command
30 Sqn	Hercules C.4/C.5	RAF Brize Norton
32 (TR) Sqn	mixed	RAF Northolt	Royal
33 Sqn	Puma HC1	RAF Benson	Unified Helicopter Command
39 Sqn	MQ-9 Reaper	RAF Waddington	UAV
47 Sqn	Hercules C.1/C.3	RAF Brize Norton	Special forces support A400M Atlas awaits
51 Sqn	Boeing RC-135W	RAF Waddington	Special reconnaissance
54 Sqn	Boeing E-3 Sentry	RAF Waddington	Combat training, Reserve
70 Sqn	A400M Atlas	RAF Brize Norton
78 Sqn	Merlin HC3	RAF Benson	Unified Helicopter Command
84 Sqn	Griffin HT1	RAF Akrotiri	Rescue
99 Sqn	C-17A Globemaster III	RAF Brize Norton	Strategic air transport
101 Sqn	Airbus Voyager	RAF Brize Norton	Air refueling Strategic air transport
206 Sqn	mixed	RAF Boscombe Down RAF Brize Norton	Tactical and educational, Reserve
230 Sqn	Puma HC1	RAF Aldergrove	Unified Helicopter Command

22 air group

Squadron number	Armament	Location	Notes
4 Sqn	Hawk T2	RAF Valley	reserve
45(R)Sqn	King Air B200	RAF Cranwell	Reserve
55(R)Sqn	Domini T1	RAF Cranwell
60(R)Sqn	Squirrel HT1	RAF Shawbury	Reserve
72(R)Sqn	Tucano T1	RAF Linton-on-Ouse	Reserve
207(R)Sqn	Tucano T1	RAF Linton-on-Ouse	Reserve
208(R)Sqn	Hawk T1/T1A	RAF Valley	Reserve

Equipment and weapons

Data on equipment and weapons of the Royal Air Force of Great Britain are partially taken from the page of Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine.

Type	Production	Purpose	Quantity	Notes	Image
Combat aircraft
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II	USA USA	fighter-bomber	3	Being tested.
Eurofighter Typhoon	European Union European Union	multi-role fighter	138	Ordered 232
Panavia Tornado GR4/GR4A	European Union European Union	fighter-bomber/reconnaissance aircraft	76
UAV
MQ-9 Reaper	USA USA	UAV	10
Transport aircraft
Boeing C-17A Globemaster	USA USA	transport plane	8
Airbus A400M	European Union European Union	transport aircraft	11	Ordered 22
Lockheed Martin C-130J	USA USA	transport plane	10
Beechcraft King Air	USA USA	administrative aircraft	7
Britten-Norman Islander (BN-2A)	UK UK	transport aircraft	3
BAE Systems 146 CC2/C3	UK UK	passenger plane	4
Special aircraft
Boeing E-3D	USA USA	aircraft AWACS	6
Raytheon Sentinel	Canada Canada USA USA	reconnaissance aircraft	5
Shadow R1	USA USA	reconnaissance aircraft	6
Airbus A330 MRTT	European Union European Union	tanker aircraft	12
Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint	USA USA	electronic reconnaissance aircraft	2
Training aircraft
British Aerospace Hawk T.Mk 1	UK UK	training/light attack aircraft	99
Grob G-115E Tutor	Germany Germany	educational	99
Shorts EMB-312	UK UK	educational	67	Brazilian aircraft Embraer EMB 312 Tucano produced under license in the UK
Slingsby Aviation T.67M260	UK UK	educational	36
Helicopters
AgustaWestland Merlin HC3	Italy Italy UK UK	transport	22
Bell Helicopter Textron 412	USA USA USA USA		14	transport
Boeing Helicopter Chinook HC2	USA USA USA USA	transport transport	32
Eurocopter AS350B2	France France Germany Germany		28
Eurocopter AS355F1	France France Germany Germany		2
Westland Puma HC1	UK UK	transport helicopter	36	French helicopter Sud-Aviacion SA.330 Puma
Westland Sea King HAR3	UK UK	search and rescue	25	American helicopter Sikorsky S-61 Sea King produced under license in the UK

Armament

• air-to-air AIM-120B/C, AIM-9, ASRAAM, Skyflash
• air-ground ALARM,Brimstone, Storm Shadow
• air-ship Stingray torpedo
• bombs Paveway II/III/IV, hanging containers are used for search and illumination

Identification marks

Identification mark	Fuselage badge	Keel mark	Where was it used?
			standard markings
			reduced visibility option

Evolution of RAF insignia

Identification mark	Fuselage badge	Keel mark	When used	Application order

Insignia

Generals and officers

Categories	Generals				Senior officers				Junior officers
English rank	Marshal of the Royal Air Force	Air Chief Marshal	Air Marshal	Air Vice-Marshal	Air Commodore	Group Captain	Wing Commander	Squadron Leader	Flight Lieutenant	Flying Officer	Pilot Officer
Russian correspondence	Army General	Colonel General	Lieutenant General	Major General	No	Colonel	Lieutenant colonel	Major	Captain	Senior Lieutenant	Lieutenant

Sub-officers and soldiers

Categories	Sub-officers	Sergeants				Soldiers
Flight crew								No
English rank	Master Aircrew	Flight Sergeant Aircrew	Sergeant Aircrew	Corporal	Lance Corporal	Senior Aircraftman	Leading Aircraftman	Aircraftman
Technicians								No
English rank	Warrant Officer	Chief Technician	Sergeant	Corporal	Lance Corporal	Senior Aircraftman Technician	Leading Aircraftman	Aircraftman
General								No
English rank	Warrant Officer	Flight Sergeant	Sergeant	Corporal	Lance Corporal	Senior Aircraftman	Leading Aircraftman	Aircraftman
Russian correspondence	Senior Warrant Officer	Staff Sergeant	Sergeant	Lance Sergeant	Corporal	No	No	Private ¹

¹In many cases, military rank in the British Air Force will be below the corresponding rank in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps. For example: the rank of corporal in the Air Force corresponds to the rank of sailor in the Navy or private in the Ground Forces.

Gallery

RAF Flight Sgt.jpg

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Excerpt characterizing the Royal Air Force of Great Britain

Left alone with the field marshal, the sovereign expressed his displeasure to him for the slowness of the pursuit, for the mistakes in Krasnoye and on the Berezina, and conveyed his thoughts about the future campaign abroad. Kutuzov made no objections or comments. The same submissive and meaningless expression with which, seven years ago, he listened to the orders of the sovereign on the Field of Austerlitz, was now established on his face.
When Kutuzov left the office and walked down the hall with his heavy, diving gait, head down, someone’s voice stopped him.
“Your Grace,” someone said.
Kutuzov raised his head and looked for a long time into the eyes of Count Tolstoy, who stood in front of him with some small thing on a silver platter. Kutuzov did not seem to understand what they wanted from him.
Suddenly he seemed to remember: a barely noticeable smile flashed on his plump face, and he, bending low, respectfully, took the object lying on the platter. This was George 1st degree.

The next day the field marshal had dinner and a ball, which the sovereign honored with his presence. Kutuzov was awarded George 1st degree; the sovereign showed him the highest honors; but the sovereign’s displeasure against the field marshal was known to everyone. Decency was observed, and the sovereign showed the first example of this; but everyone knew that the old man was guilty and no good. When, at the ball, Kutuzov, according to Catherine’s old habit, upon the Emperor’s entrance into the ballroom, ordered the taken banners to be laid down at his feet, the Emperor frowned unpleasantly and uttered words in which some heard: “old comedian.”
The sovereign's displeasure against Kutuzov intensified in Vilna, especially because Kutuzov obviously did not want or could not understand the significance of the upcoming campaign.
When the next morning the sovereign said to the officers gathered at his place: “You saved more than just Russia; you saved Europe,” everyone already understood that the war was not over.
Only Kutuzov did not want to understand this and openly expressed his opinion that a new war could not improve the situation and increase the glory of Russia, but could only worsen its position and reduce that highest degree glory, on which, in his opinion, Russia now stood. He tried to prove to the sovereign the impossibility of recruiting new troops; spoke about the difficult situation of the population, the possibility of failure, etc.
In such a mood, the field marshal, naturally, seemed to be only a hindrance and a brake on the upcoming war.
To avoid clashes with the old man, a way out was found by itself, which consisted in, as at Austerlitz and as at the beginning of the campaign under Barclay, to remove from under the commander-in-chief, without disturbing him, without announcing to him that the ground of power on which he stood , and transfer it to the sovereign himself.
For this purpose, the headquarters was gradually reorganized, and all the significant strength of Kutuzov’s headquarters was destroyed and transferred to the sovereign. Tol, Konovnitsyn, Ermolov - received other appointments. Everyone said loudly that the field marshal had become very weak and was upset about his health.
He had to be in poor health in order to transfer his place to the one who took his place. And indeed, his health was poor.
Just as naturally, and simply, and gradually, Kutuzov came from Turkey to the treasury chamber of St. Petersburg to collect the militia and then into the army, precisely when he was needed, just as naturally, gradually and simply now, when Kutuzov’s role was played, to take his place a new, needed figure appeared.
The War of 1812, except for its dear Russian heart national significance, should have had something else - European.
The movement of peoples from West to East was to be followed by the movement of peoples from East to West, and for this new war a new figure was needed, with different properties and views than Kutuzov, driven by different motives.
Alexander the First was as necessary for the movement of peoples from east to west and for the restoration of the borders of peoples as Kutuzov was necessary for the salvation and glory of Russia.
Kutuzov did not understand what Europe, balance, Napoleon meant. He couldn't understand it. The representative of the Russian people, after the enemy was destroyed, Russia was liberated and placed at the highest level of its glory, the Russian person, as a Russian, had nothing more to do. The representative of the people's war had no choice but death. And he died.

Pierre, how is it for the most part it happens that I felt the full weight of the physical deprivations and stresses experienced in captivity only when these stresses and deprivations ended. After his release from captivity, he came to Orel and on the third day of his arrival, while he was going to Kyiv, he fell ill and lay sick in Orel for three months; As the doctors said, he suffered from bilious fever. Despite the fact that the doctors treated him, bled him and gave him medicine to drink, he still recovered.
Everything that happened to Pierre from the time of his liberation until his illness left almost no impression on him. He remembered only grey, gloomy, sometimes rainy, sometimes snowy weather, internal physical melancholy, pain in his legs, in his side; remembered general impression misfortunes, suffering of people; he remembered the curiosity that disturbed him from the officers and generals who questioned him, his efforts to find a carriage and horses, and, most importantly, he remembered his inability to think and feel at that time. On the day of his release, he saw the corpse of Petya Rostov. On the same day, he learned that Prince Andrei had been alive for more than a month after the Battle of Borodino and had only recently died in Yaroslavl, in the Rostov house. And on the same day, Denisov, who reported this news to Pierre, between conversations mentioned Helen’s death, suggesting that Pierre had known this for a long time. All this seemed strange to Pierre at the time. He felt that he could not understand the meaning of all this news. He was only in a hurry then, as quickly as possible, to leave these places where people were killing each other, to some quiet refuge and there to come to his senses, rest and think about all the strange and new things that he had learned during this time. But as soon as he arrived in Orel, he fell ill. Waking up from his illness, Pierre saw around him his two people who had arrived from Moscow - Terenty and Vaska, and the eldest princess, who, living in Yelets, on Pierre's estate, and having learned about his release and illness, came to him to visit behind him.
During his recovery, Pierre only gradually unaccustomed himself to the impressions of the last months that had become familiar to him and got used to the fact that no one would drive him anywhere tomorrow, that no one would take his warm bed away, and that he would probably have lunch, tea, and dinner. But in his dreams, for a long time he saw himself in the same conditions of captivity. Pierre also gradually understood the news that he learned after his release from captivity: the death of Prince Andrei, the death of his wife, the destruction of the French.
A joyful feeling of freedom - that complete, inalienable, inherent freedom of man, the consciousness of which he first experienced at his first rest stop, when leaving Moscow, filled Pierre's soul during his recovery. He was surprised that this inner freedom, independent of external circumstances, now seemed to be furnished in abundance, with luxury and external freedom. He was alone in a strange city, without acquaintances. Nobody demanded anything from him; they didn't send him anywhere. He had everything he wanted; The thought of his wife that had always tormented him before was no longer there, since she no longer existed.
- Oh, how good! How nice! - he said to himself when they brought him a cleanly set table with fragrant broth, or when he lay down on a soft, clean bed at night, or when he remembered that his wife and the French were no more. - Oh, how good, how nice! - And out of old habit, he asked himself: well, then what? What will i do? And immediately he answered himself: nothing. I will live. Oh, how nice!
The very thing that tormented him before, what he was constantly looking for, the purpose of life, now did not exist for him. It was no coincidence that this sought-after goal of life did not exist for him at the present moment, but he felt that it did not and could not exist. And it was this lack of purpose that gave him that complete, joyful consciousness of freedom, which at that time constituted his happiness.
He could not have a goal, because he now had faith - not faith in some rules, or words, or thoughts, but faith in a living, always felt God. Previously, he sought it for the purposes that he set for himself. This search for a goal was only a search for God; and suddenly he learned in his captivity, not in words, not by reasoning, but by direct feeling, what his nanny had told him long ago: that God is here, here, everywhere. In captivity, he learned that God in Karataev is greater, infinite and incomprehensible than in the Architect of the universe recognized by the Freemasons. He experienced the feeling of a man who had found what he was looking for under his feet, while he strained his eyesight, looking far away from himself. All his life he had been looking somewhere, over the heads of the people around him, but he should have not strained his eyes, but only looked in front of him.
He had not been able to see before the great, incomprehensible and infinite in anything. He just felt that it must be somewhere and looked for it. In everything close and understandable, he saw something limited, petty, everyday, meaningless. He armed himself with a mental telescope and looked into the distance, to where this small, everyday thing, hiding in the fog of the distance, seemed great and endless to him only because it was not clearly visible. This is how it seemed to him European life, politics, Freemasonry, philosophy, philanthropy. But even then, in those moments that he considered his weakness, his mind penetrated into this distance, and there he saw the same petty, everyday, meaningless things. Now he had learned to see the great, the eternal and the infinite in everything, and therefore naturally, in order to see it, to enjoy its contemplation, he threw down the pipe into which he had been looking until now through the heads of people, and joyfully contemplated the ever-changing, ever-great world around him. , incomprehensible and endless life. And the closer he looked, the more calm and happy he was. Previously, the terrible question that destroyed all his mental structures was: why? did not exist for him now. Now to this question - why? a simple answer was always ready in his soul: because there is a God, that God, without whose will a hair will not fall from a man’s head.

Pierre has hardly changed in his external techniques. He looked exactly the same as he had been before. Just as before, he was distracted and seemed preoccupied not with what was in front of his eyes, but with something special of his own. The difference between his previous and present state was that before, when he forgot what was in front of him, what was said to him, he, wrinkling his forehead in pain, seemed to be trying and could not see something far away from him . Now he also forgot what was said to him and what was in front of him; but now, with a barely noticeable, seemingly mocking, smile, he peered at what was in front of him, listened to what was being said to him, although obviously he saw and heard something completely different. Before, although he seemed to be a kind person, he was unhappy; and therefore people involuntarily moved away from him. Now a smile of the joy of life constantly played around his mouth, and his eyes shone with concern for people - the question: are they as happy as he is? And people were pleased in his presence.
Before, he talked a lot, got excited when he spoke, and listened little; Now he rarely got carried away in conversation and knew how to listen so that people willingly told him their most intimate secrets.
The princess, who had never loved Pierre and had a particularly hostile feeling towards him since, after the death of the old count, she felt obliged to Pierre, to her chagrin and surprise, after a short stay in Orel, where she came with the intention of proving to Pierre that, Despite his ingratitude, she considers it her duty to follow him; the princess soon felt that she loved him. Pierre did nothing to ingratiate himself with the princess. He just looked at her with curiosity. Previously, the princess felt that in his gaze at her there was indifference and mockery, and she, as before other people, shrank before him and showed only her fighting side of life; now, on the contrary, she felt that he seemed to be digging into the most intimate aspects of her life; and she, at first with distrust, and then with gratitude, showed him the hidden good sides of her character.
The most cunning person could not have more skillfully insinuated himself into the princess’s confidence, evoking her memories of the best time of her youth and showing sympathy for them. Meanwhile, Pierre’s whole cunning consisted only in the fact that he sought his own pleasure, evoking human feelings in the embittered, dry and proud princess.
“Yes, he is a very, very kind person when he is under the influence not of bad people, but of people like me,” the princess said to herself.
The change that took place in Pierre was noticed in their own way by his servants, Terenty and Vaska. They found that he had slept a lot. Terenty often, having undressed the master, with boots and dress in his hand, wishing him good night, hesitated to leave, waiting to see if the master would enter into conversation. And for the most part Pierre stopped Terenty, noticing that he wanted to talk.
- Well, tell me... how did you get food for yourself? - he asked. And Terenty began a story about the Moscow ruin, about the late count, and stood for a long time with his dress, telling, and sometimes listening to, Pierre’s stories, and, with a pleasant consciousness of the master’s closeness to him and friendliness towards him, he went into the hallway.
The doctor who treated Pierre and visited him every day, despite the fact that, according to the duties of doctors, he considered it his duty to look like a man whose every minute is precious for suffering humanity, sat for hours with Pierre, telling his favorite stories and observations on the morals of patients in general and especially ladies.