From late 1916 to early 1917 the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) had attempted a co-ordinated series of bombing raids on German-held targets.

Following the perceived success in bombing Germany of the VIII Brigade and its antecedent formation the 41st Wing, the British Government decided that it should be expanded into an independent force.

[1] Before the creation of the Independent Air Force, the VIII Brigade was under the tactical command of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig.

Trenchard had only agreed to serve as GOC after he received criticism for resigning his position as professional head of the RAF during a time of war.

A considerable portion of the Independent Air Force’s efforts was in tactical support of the Allied armies and the war ended before the IAF could conduct any sustained strategic bombing.

Thus the Independent Force achieved little material effect on the German war industries, in return for many losses in men and machines.