Bedford QLD – RAF 2nd Tactical Airforce, 84 Group, Normandy June 1944 (D Day)

With well over 50,000 units produced, the Bedford QL series of 3 ton 4x4 utility trucks were some of the most heavily produced British vehicles of the Second World War and were required to fulfil a wide variety of essential communications and supply roles. The ability to move, supply and equip military forces is critical to the success of any campaign and by their nature, vehicles used to support this must be reliable, flexible and available in great numbers. The Bedford QL satisfied all of these needs and whether it was pulling a Bofors anti- aircraft gun or serving as a signals vehicle, it proved to be the backbone of the British Army.

The RAF 2nd Tactical Airforce (2TAF) was formed on 1st June 1943 as HQ Tactical Air Force from Army Co-operation Command in connection with preparations to train to invade Europe a year later. It took units from both Fighter Command and Bomber Command in order to form a force capable of supporting the Army in the field. Bomber Command provided light bombers, Fighter Command was split into the Air Defence of Britain retaining fighter units for home defence, and No.83 Group and No.84 group operating aircraft, and No.85 Group controlling ground based units.