No. 133 (Polish) (Fighter) Wing RAF is a former
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
wing
A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject to aerodynamic forces and act as airfoils. A wing's aerodynamic efficiency is expres ...
that was operational during the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, mainly staffed by Polish personnel as part of the
Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain
The Polish Air Forces ( pl, Polskie Siły Powietrzne) was the name of the Polish Air Forces formed in France and the United Kingdom during World War II. The core of the Polish air units fighting alongside the Allies were experienced veterans of t ...
.
The unit was previously No. 1 Polish Wing RAF which became No. 133 Airfield Headquarters (Polish) RAF during 1943.
History
It was formed in August 1941, as the 2nd Polish Fighter Wing, from three Polish squadrons, the
No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron and
No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron
No. 316 "City of Warsaw" Polish Fighter Squadron ( pl, 316 Dywizjon Myśliwski "Warszawski") was a Polish fighter squadron formed in Great Britain as part of an agreement between the Polish Government in Exile and the United Kingdom in 1941. It ...
, and the
No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron. Its composition was not stable, as Polish Squadrons were frequently exchanged between the three Polish wings (the
No. 131 Wing RAF
No. 131 (Polish) (Fighter) Wing RAF is a former Royal Air Force wing that was operational during the Second World War, mainly staffed by Polish personnel as part of the Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain.
The unit was previously No. ...
(1st Polish) wing, the No. 133 Wing (2nd Polish) wing, and the
3rd Polish Fighter Wing). At various times, this wing included other Polish squadrons, such as the
No. 306 Polish Fighter Squadron
No. 306 "Toruń" Polish Fighter Squadron ( pl, 306 Dywizjon Myśliwski "Toruński") was one of several Polish squadrons in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. It was formed as part of an agreement between the Polish Governmen ...
,
No. 309 Polish Fighter-Reconnaissance Squadron and the
No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron
No. 315 (City of Dęblin) Polish Fighter Squadron ( pl, 315 Dywizjon Myśliwski "Dębliński") was one of several Polish squadrons in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. It was formed as part of an agreement between the Pol ...
. The number of Polish wings was also not constant, varying from at least two to four.
On 1 November 1943 No. 1 Polish Wing RAF was renamed to No. 133 Airfield Headquarters (Polish) RAF while the unit was at
RAF Heston
Heston Aerodrome was an airfield located to the west of London, England, operational between 1929 and 1947. It was situated on the border of the Heston and Cranford areas of Hounslow, Middlesex. In September 1938, the British Prime Minister, Ne ...
under
No. 18 Wing RAF and controlling
No. 306 Polish Fighter Squadron
No. 306 "Toruń" Polish Fighter Squadron ( pl, 306 Dywizjon Myśliwski "Toruński") was one of several Polish squadrons in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. It was formed as part of an agreement between the Polish Governmen ...
and
No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron
No. 315 (City of Dęblin) Polish Fighter Squadron ( pl, 315 Dywizjon Myśliwski "Dębliński") was one of several Polish squadrons in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. It was formed as part of an agreement between the Pol ...
both operating Spitfire's. The wing moved to
RAF Coolham on 1 April 1944 and was renamed to No. 133 Wing RAF on 12 May 1944.
No. 133 Wing RAF was formed on 12 May 1944 at
RAF Coolham.
See also
*
List of Wings of the Royal Air Force
References
Citations
Bibliography
*
Polish 02
Royal Air Force wings
Military units and formations established in 1941
Military units and formations disestablished in 1946
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