Building up air power

No.204 Group was commanded by Air Vice-Marshal Coningham, "a New Zealander". There were initially the following units:

8 squadrons of short range fighters
1 squadron of long range fighters
6 squadrons of medium bombers
1 squadron of tactical reconnaissance aircraft

To improve the strength of the squadrons, the unit strength was raised from 16 aircraft to 18. As many as seven aircraft would be "held in immediate reserve". A new feature was there was now "an Aircraft Replacement Pool" at Wadi Nostrum. This unit would receive incoming aircraft and distribute them to squadrons. This is based on the account in Vol.III of the Official History.