ABSTRACT
The influence of the Deputy Chiefs of Staff on Fighter Command is most marked in those matters that affected services and interested than the Air Force, in particular the distribution of the ground defences of ADGB. Until the spring of 1935 the Home Defence, or, as refer to it henceforth, the Metropolitan Air Force, was expanding in accordance with the programme, agreed upon in July 1934, under which it would contain twenty-eight fighter, and forty-seven bomber squadrons by April 1939. The expansion scheme of July 1934 had increased the number of fighter squadrons to twenty-eight, all of which would normally be stationed at home, but three of which would go overseas with the Field Force. Twenty-five fighter squadrons were thus available for ADGB. Nineteen of these would man sectors in the extended Aircraft Fighting Zone and six 'interceptor' squadrons would be stationed at aerodromes near the coast. Scheme 'H' was chiefly concerned with augmenting the strength of Bomber Command.
