No. 8 Training Squadron, Australian Flying Corps

Places	Point Cook Western Front
Commanding Officers	Cowper, Gerald Audrey Cadogan Ellis, Alfred William Leslie McClaughry, William Ashton Wilson, Gordon Campbell
Decorations	Nil
Conflict	First World War, 1914-1918
References	AWM4/8/11/1-8/11/12: War diary of 8 Training Squadron, AFC
Category	Unit
Conflict	First World War, 1914-1918
Unit hierarchy	Commonwealth Military Forces Australian Imperial Force Australian Flying Corps No. 8 Training Squadron, Australian Flying Corps

Description

By 1917 the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) consisted of four operational squadrons which outstripped the ability of the Army's Central Flying School at Point Cook to supply sufficient trained airmen. It was decided, therefore, to establish training squadrons within the AFC. Four such squadrons were subsequently established in the United Kingdom during 1917.

8 Squadron, AFC was formed at Wendover on 24 October 1917. It was originally identified as 33 (Australian Training) Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, but was renamed, along with all of the Australian squadrons, in January 1918. The squadron relocated to Cirencester on 9 January 1918, and thence to Leighterton, where it remained until disbanded in April 1919.

The squadron's principal role was to prepare personnel for service with what was at first 71 (Australian) Squadron, RFC, and subsequently 4 Squadron, AFC, which was operating with British forces over the Western Front. The squadron operated a variety of aircraft types throughout its history and these are listed below.