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The RAF (full English name: Royal Air Force) is the British Air Force that began to bear this name in April 1918. Previously, it was known as the Royal Flying Corps. From April 1918, they also became an independent air force, not under the command of the army or navy. It is worth adding that at the end of the Great War, the RAF had approx. 4,000 people. pilots and as many as approx. 115 thousand. ground staff people. In the interwar period, its number decreased significantly, and their participation in even local armed conflicts was relatively small. However, in the face of the coming war in 1936, the RAF was reorganized, separating three commands within it: Coastal Defense (ang. Coastal Command) , hunting Fighter Command ) and Bomber Command. The construction of a radar network called Chain Home was also developed, which provided invaluable services during the Battle of Britain in 1940. During the course of World War II, the RAF's personnel grew steadily, reaching its peak in 1944, more than 1.1 million! Of course, a large part of them were conscripts with appropriate training. The organizational structure of the RAF also changed - an example is the division Fighter Command at the end of 1943 on Air Defense Great Britain (forces dedicated to the defense of the British Isles) and 2 Tactical Air Force (forces dedicated to supporting land forces).