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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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No 243 Wing Personnel, units and locations
This was administratively formed at El Adem on 12 March 1942 but actually began reforming there on 2 April, by redesignating No 239 Wing as No 243 (Offensive Fighter) Wing in No 211 Group. It was tasked with the administrative control of the squadrons under its control but operational control was invested in HQ No 211 Group. On 27 September it was transferred to No 212 Group, to No 212 Group on 13 January 1943, then from AHQ Western Desert to AHQ Egypt on 3 February with Nos 213 and 274 Squadrons. It was reduced to Number Plate basis on 8 February and disbanded on 28 February 1943.
Personnel Movements 1942
| Rank | Name |
Date |
Notes |
| Gp Capt | K B B Cross | 12 Mar 1942 | Assumed command of No 243 Wing on the redesignating of No 239 Wing |
| Gp Capt | K B B Cross | 1 Apr 1942 | Relinquished command of No 243 Wing on posting to No 211 Group |
| Wg Cdr | H A Fenton | 1 Apr 1942 | Posted in and assumed command of No 243 Wing |
| Sqn Ldr | A D Drysdale | 1 Apr 1942 | Posted in from No 239 Wing for duty as Sqn Ldr - Admin |
| Flt Lt | E F Hine | 1 Apr 1942 | Posted in from No 239 Wing for duty as Wing Adjutant |
| Sqn Ldr | R L Browning | 1 Apr 1942 | Posted in from No 239 Wing for duty as Wing Equipment Officer |
| Sqn Ldr | A R C Young | 1 Apr 1942 | Posted in from No 239 Wing for duty as Senior Medical Officer |
| Fg Off | A H Blake | 1 Apr 1942 | Posted in from No 239 Wing for duty as Defence Officer |
| Fg Off | J P Flood | 1 Apr 1942 | Posted in from No 239 Wing for Codes and Cypher duties |
| Plt Off | G C Zucker RAAF | 1 Apr 1942 | Posted in from No 239 Wing for Codes and Cypher duties |
| Flt Lt | F E Young | 1 Apr 1942 | Attached from No 239 Wing for Signals duties |
| Flt Lt | E A Dennis | 1 Apr 1942 | Attached from No 239 Wing for Intelligence duties |
| Fg Off | L Smith | 1 Apr 1942 | Attached from No 239 Wing for Intelligence duties |
| Plt Off | S Booth | 1 Apr 1942 | Attached from No 239 Wing for Codes and Cypher duties |
| Flt Lt | D S Jewell | 2 Apr 1942 | Posted in for duty as Signals Officer |
| Sqn Ldr | J D Urie | 2 Apr 1942 | Posted in for duty as Sqn Ldr - Flying |
| Plt Off | K H H Ellis | 3 Apr 1942 | Arrived on posting for duty as Armament Officer |
| Flt Lt | E A Dennis | 5 Apr 1942 | Ceased to be attached for Intelligence duties |
| Fg Off | L Smith | 5 Apr 1942 | Ceased to be attached for Intelligence duties |
| Flt Lt | F E Young | 6 Apr 1942 | Ceased to be attached from No 239 Wing for Signals duties |
| Plt Off | Gallacher | 7 Apr 142 | Arrived on posting for Engineering duties |
| Sqn Ldr | A S Simpson | 9 Apr 1942 | Posted in for duty as Senior Medical Officer |
| Fg Off | J H Beeton | 9 Apr 1942 | Arrived on posting |
| Fg Off | R Fortyn-Droogleever | 9 Apr 1942 | Arrived on posting |
| Sqn Ldr | A R C Young | 10 Apr 1942 | Senior Medical Officer, posted out |
| Flt Lt | E E Snowling | 13 Apr 1942 | Posted in for duty as Wing Equipment Officer |
| Sqn Ldr | R L Browning | 14 Apr 1942 | Wing Equipment Officer, posted out |
| Plt Off | G C Colliver | 17 Apr 1942 | Attached for Regional Control duties |
| Flt Lt | W G Morgan | 22 Apr 1942 | Arrived on posting in for Accountant duties |
| Fg Off | R Fortyn-Droogleever | 23 Apr 1942 | Attached to Base Landing Ground (LG-13) as Officer i/c |
| Plt Off | G C Colliver | 17 Apr 1942 | Attached for Regional Control duties |
| Plt Off | G A McSween | 24 Apr 1942 | Attached for Regional Control duties |
| Plt Off | R G Long | 6 May 1942 | Attached from No 234 Wing for Operations duties |
| Flt Lt | A R Wills | 8 May 1942 | Posted in from No 238 Sqn for Intelligence duties |
| Wg Cdr | J D Urie | 11 May 1942 | Posted as supernumerary to No 215 Group for Flying duties |
| Sqn Ldr | G R A M Johnson | 11 May 1942 | Posed in from No 73 Sqn for duty as Sqn Ldr - Flying |
| Plt Off | K P Stanworth | 12 May 1942 | Attached from Rear HQ WD for Aerodrome Control duties with Station Flight |
| Plt Off | G C Colliver | 12 May 1942 | Posted in from Rear HQ WD for Aerodrome Control duties with Station Flight |
| Plt Off | G A McSween | 12 May 1942 | Posted in from Rear HQ WD for Aerodrome Control duties with Station Flight |
| Maj | J Van Ginkel | 20 May 1942 | Attached from No 4 (SAAF) Wing |
| Capt | A D Coetzee | 20 May 1942 | Attached from No 4 (SAAF) Wing |
| Plt Off | K P Stanworth | 24 May 1942 | Ceased to be attached from Rear HQ WDAF |
| Plt Off | S Booth | 26 May 1942 | Ceased to be attached from No 239 Wing for Codes and Cypher duties |
| Plt Off | J S Hay | 30 May 1942 | Posted in from Advanced HQ WD for Aerodrome Control duties |
| Plt Off | J McAlpine | 3 Jun 1942 | Posted in from Rear HQ WD for Operations 'B' duties |
| Capt | C D Field | 4 Jun 1942 | Attached from No 1 ASU for ALO duties |
| Capt | A E Mosse | 4 Jun 1942 | Attached from No 1 ASU for ALO duties |
| Plt Off | R G Long | 6 Jun 1942 | Ceased to be attached from No 234 Wing for Operations duties |
| Maj | J Van Ginkel | 6 Jun 1942 | Ceased to be attached from No 4 (SAAF) Wing |
| Capt | A D Coetzee | 6 Jun 1942 | Ceased to be attached from No 4 (SAAF) Wing |
| Capt | N R Ridger | 6 Jun 1942 | Attached from No 7 (SAAF) Wing |
| Capt | J H Jacobs | 6 Jun 1942 | Attached from No 7 (SAAF) Wing |
| Capt | McIntosh | 6 Jun 1942 | Attached from No 7 (SAAF) Wing |
| Plt Off | C Musgrave | 6 Jun 1942 | Posted in from No 211 Group for Intelligence duties |
| Capt | A E Mosse | 7 Jun 1942 | Ceased to be attached from No 1 ASU for ALO duties |
| Plt Off | S J Rhodes | 7 Jun 1942 | Posted in from Rear HQ WD and attached to BLG for Defence duties |
| Sqn Ldr | F H De Jonge | 8 Jun 1942 | Posted in from No 201 Group for duty as Wing Padre |
| Sqn Ldr | R R Clements | 8 Jun 1942 | Wing Padre, posted out |
| Flt Lt | J Hayter | 14 Jun 1942 | Posted from No 33 Sqn for Instructor duties at Wing BLG Training Flight |
| Flt Lt | B H A Playford | 15 Jun 1942 | Posted from HQ RAF Middle East for Flying Instructor duties at Wing BLG Training Flight |
| Sqn Ldr | G R A M Johnson | 17 Jun 1942 | Posed to No 73 Sqn for duty as Officer Commanding |
| Flt Lt | C A Butt | 26 Jun 1942 | Posted in from Rear HQ WD for duty as Wing Accountant Officer |
| Wg Cdr | G Garvin | 30 Jun 1942 | Posted in as supernumerary from HQ No 211 Group |
| Sqn Ldr | J H Cloete | 3 Jul 1942 | Posted in from No 33 Sqn for Flying duties |
| Flt Lt | W S A Giles | 4 Jul 1942 | Posted in from No 238 Sqn for duty as Adjutant |
| Sqn Ldr | A D Drysdale | 7 Jul 1942 | Sqn Ldr - Admin, posted To RAF Gordon's Tree, Sudan |
| Flt Lt | E F Hine | 7 Jul 1942 | Wing Adjutant, promoted Act Sqn Ldr and appointed Sqn Ldr - Admin |
| Fg Off | J P Flood | 14 Jul 1942 | Posted to Rear HQ Levant for Codes and Cypher duties |
| Wg Cdr | G Garvin | 21 Jul 1942 | Posted to HQ No 211 Group |
| Plt Off | S Ward | 29 Jul 1942 | Posted in from Rear HQ WD for Codes and Cypher duties |
| Plt Off | R S Archer | 29 Jul 1942 | Posted in from Rear HQ WD for Codes and Cypher duties |
| Fg Off | A H Blake | 12 Aug 1942 | Defence Officer, posted to Advanced HQ Levant |
| Fg Off | R Fortyn-Droogleever | 12 Aug 1942 | Posted to No 127 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | Barratt-Atkin | 15 Aug 1942 | Posted in from No 213 Sqn for Engineer duties |
| Flt Lt | Gallacher | 16 Aug 1942 | Engineering Officer, posted to Advanced AHQ WD |
| Wg Cdr | J Darwen | 18 Aug 1942 | Posted in from Rear AHQ WD to command of No 243 Wing |
| Wg Cdr | H A Fenton | 20 Aug 1942 | Posted to No 212 Group |
| Wg Cdr | J Darwen | 20 Aug 1942 | Assumed command of No 243 Wing |
| Plt Off | R C Cox | 24 Aug 1942 | Posted in from No 25 PTC for duty as Defence Officer |
| Fg Off | J G W Seex | 28 Aug 1942 | Posted in from No 51 RSU for duty as Adjutant |
| Flt Lt | W S A Giles | 30 Aug 1942 | Posted to Marine Section, Port Said |
| Plt Off | R S Archer | 31 Aug 1942 | Arrived from No 33 Sqn for Codes and Cypher duties |
| Sqn Ldr | S C Norris | 11 Sep 1942 | Posted in from AHQ Egypt for Flying duties |
| Flt Lt | I H S Morgan | 21 Sep 1942 | Attached from No 22 MRS for Medical duties |
| Capt | J W Buxton | 22 Sep 1942 | Attached from 4th Royal Horse Artillery |
| Flt Lt | A V Ayerst | 24 Sep 1942 | Posted in from No 22 PTC |
| Plt Off | J W K Brown | 30 Sep 1942 | Posed in from Rear AHQ WD for Codes and Cypher duties |
| Plt Off | D J Fevez | 30 Sep 1942 | Posed in from Rear AHQ WD for Codes and Cypher duties |
| Lt | R H S Brogden | 1 Oct 1942 | Attached from Royal Warwickshire Yeomanry |
| Plt Off | R C Cox | 4 Oct 1942 | Defence Officer, attached ro Rear AHQ WD for course |
| Lt | R H S Brogden | 4 Oct 1942 | Ceased to be attached from Royal Warwickshire Yeomanry |
| Sqn Ldr | A S Simpson | 11 Oct 1942 | Proceeded to Almaza for a Medical course |
| Plt Off | I W King | 11 Oct 1942 | Posted to Rear AHQ WD |
| Plt Off | J McAlpine | 13 Oct 1942 | Posted to HQ No 212 Group |
| Flt Lt | W L Allen | 14 Oct 1942 | Posted in for Intelligence duties |
| Sqn Ldr | R J Hodgins | 14 Oct 1942 | Padre, arrived on attachment |
| Sqn Ldr | A S Simpson | 18 Oct 1942 | Returned from Almaza on completion of the course |
| Plt Off | R S Archer | 19 Oct 1942 | Admitted to 8th General Hospital |
| Plt Off | C Musgrave | 20 Oct 1942 | Posted to No 212 Group |
| Plt Off | H W Young | 20 Oct 1942 | Posted to Rear AHQ WD |
| Plt Off | E U Thompson | 20 Oct 1942 | Posted in from Rear AHQ WD |
| Sqn Ldr | R J Hodgins | 21 Oct 1942 | Padre, ceased to be attached on leaving for Rear AHQ WD |
| Sqn Ldr | R M Lloyd | 24 Oct 1942 | Posted in from Rear AHQ WD |
| Sqn Ldr | A S Simpson | 2 Nov 1942 | Proceeded to AHQ Egypt on posting |
| Sqn Ldr | S C Norris | 20 Nov 1942 | Posted to No 33 Sqn as OC |
| Wg Cdr | H F Burton | 23 Nov 1942 | Posted in for duty as Officer Commanding |
| Wg Cdr | J Darwen | 24 Nov 1942 | Posted to No 244 Wing |
| Wg Cdr | H F Burton | 24 Nov 1942 | Assumed command of No 243 Wing |
| Flt Lt | Beedham | 29 Nov 1942 | Attached for temporary duty |
| Sqn Ldr | H A Bartlett | 7 Dec 1942 | Posted in for duty as Sqn Ldr - Admin |
| Sqn Ldr | E F Hine | 9 Dec 1942 | Posted to No 239 Wing |
| Wg Cdr | H F Burton | 20 Dec 1942 | Relinquished command of No 243 Wing |
| Sqn Ldr | H A Bartlett | 20 Dec 1942 | Assumed temporary command of No 243 Wing |
| Flt Lt | Dalton | 21 Dec 1942 | Posted in from No 213 Sqn for duty as Wing Equipment Officer |
| Plt Off | R S Archer | 21 Dec 1942 | Returned from Aboukir |
| Flt Lt | E E Snowling | 28 Dec 1942 | Posted to AHQ Levant |
| Flt Lt | D S Jewell | 30 Dec 1942 | Wing Signals Officer, posted to No 239 Wing |
| Flt Lt | Kynaston | 30 Dec 1942 | Posted in from No 24 Wing |
Source - No 243 Wing ORB
Unit Composition and Movements 1942
| Unit | Date | Notes |
| No 33 Sqn | 2 Apr 1942 | Taken over on formation |
| No 73 Sqn | 2 Apr 1942 | Taken over on formation |
| No 274 Sqn | 2 Apr 1942 | Taken over on formation |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 20 Apr 1942 | Moved from El Adem to a new site near Gambut Main |
| No 145 Sqn | 25 May 1942 | Arrived at Gambut Main and joined the Wing |
| No 238 Sqn | 31 May 1942 | Joined the Wing |
| No 213 Sqn | 5 Jun 1942 | Arrived at Gambut Main and joined the Wing |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 14 Jun 1942 | Departed Gambut for LG.155 |
| 'A' Parties, All Sqns | 15 Jun 1942 | Departed Gambut for LG.155 |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 14 Jun 1942 | Arrived at LG.155 |
| 'A' Parties, All Sqns | 14 Jun 1942 | Arrived at LG.155 |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 20 Jun 1942 | Departed LG.155 for LG.76 Sidi Haneish |
| All Sqns | 20 Jun 1942 | Departed LG.155 for LG.76 Sidi Haneish |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 21 Jun 1942 | Arrived at LG.76 Sidi Haneish |
| All Sqns | 21 Jun 1942 | Arrived at LG.76 Sidi Haneish |
| No 601 Sqn | 25 Jun 1943 | Arrived at LG.013 and joined the Wing |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 25 Jun 1942 | Departed LG.76 Sidi Haneish for LG.105 El Daba |
| Sqn ground parties | 25 Jun 1942 | Departed LG.76 Sidi Haneish for LG.105 El Daba |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 26 Jun 1942 | Arrived at LG.105 El Daba |
| Sqn ground parties | 26 Jun 1942 | Arrived at LG.105 El Daba |
| No 274 Sqn | 26 Jun 1942 | Left the Wing |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 28 Jun 1942 | Departed LG.105 for LG.154 |
| Sqn ground parties | 28 Jun 1942 | Departed LG.105 for LG.154 |
| No 7 Sqn SAAF | 7 Jul 1942 | Joined the Wing |
| No 7 Sqn SAAF | 15 Jul 1942 | Left the Wing |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 24 Jul 1942 | Departed LG.154 for LG.172 |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 28 Jul 1942 | Departed LG.172 for LG.154 |
| Advance Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 4 Aug 1942 | Departed LG.154 for Edku |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 5 Aug 1942 | Departed LG.154 for Edku |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 22 Aug 1942 | Departed from Edku for LG.154 |
| Wing BLG at Kilo 8 | 10 Sep 1942 | Disbanded |
| No 145 Sqn | 26 Sep 1942 | Left the Wing |
| No 601 Sqn | 26 Sep 1942 | Left the Wing |
| No 238 Sqn | 26 Sep 1942 | Transferred from No 244 Wing |
| No 1 Sqn SAAF | 26 Sep 1942 | Transferred from No 244 Wing |
| No 73 Sqn | 26 Sep 1942 | Transferred to No 244 Wing |
| No 243 Wing | 27 Sep 1942 | Transferred from No 211 Group to No 212 Group |
| Advance Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 21 Oct 1942 | Departed LG.154 for LG.172 |
| 'A' Parties, all Sqns | 21 Oct 1942 | Departed LG.154 for LG.172 |
| Rear Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 23 Oct 1942 | Arrived at LG.172 |
| 'B' Parties, all Sqns | 23 Oct 1942 | Arrived at LG.172 |
| Signals Section, HQ No 243 Wing | 24 Oct 1942 | Arrived at LG.172 |
| Advance Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 5 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.172 for LG.171 |
| 'A' Parties, all Sqns | 5 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.172 for LG.171 |
| Advance Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 6 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.171 for LG.105 |
| 'A' Parties, all Sqns | 6 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.171 for LG.105 |
| Advance Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 7 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.105 for LG.20 |
| 'A' Parties, all Sqns | 7 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.105 for LG.20 |
| Air Parties, all Sqns | 7 Nov 1942 | Arrived at LG.20 from LG.172 |
| No 1 Sqn SAAF | 8 Nov 1942 | Transferred to No 244 Wing |
| No 73 Sqn | 8 Nov 1942 | Transferred to No 244 Wing |
| 'A', HQ No 243 Wing | 9 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.20 for LG.012 |
| 'A' Parties, all Sqns | 9 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.20 for LG.012 |
| 'A' Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 9 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.012 for LG.101 |
| 'A' Parties, all Sqns | 9 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.012 for LG.101 |
| 'B' Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 12 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.20 for LG.101 |
| 'B' Parties, all Sqns | 12 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.20 for LG.101 |
| Detachment, No 243 Wing | 12 Nov 1942 | Proceeded from LG.101 to LG125 for special duty |
| Detachment, No 213 Sqn | 12 Nov 1942 | Proceeded from LG.101 to LG125 for special duty |
| Detachment, No 238 Sqn | 12 Nov 1942 | Proceeded from LG.101 to LG125 for special duty |
| Detachment, No 213 Sqn | 16 Nov 1942 | Returned to LG.101 from LG125 |
| Detachment, No 238 Sqn | 16 Nov 1942 | Returned to LG.101 from LG125 |
| 'A' Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 17 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.101 for LG.144 El Adem by air |
| Ground Parties, HQ No 243 Wing | 17 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.101 for LG.144 El Adem |
| Ground Parties, all Sqns | 17 Nov 1942 | Departed LG.101 for LG.144 El Adem |
| LG.125 Ground Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 18 Nov 1942 | Arrived at LG.144 El Adem |
| Ground Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 19 Nov 1942 | Arrived at LG.144 El Adem |
| Ground Parties, all Sqns | 19 Nov 1942 | Arrived at LG.144 El Adem |
| 'A', No 213 Sqn | 23 Nov 1942 | Departed from LG.144 El Adem for Martuba No 2 |
| 'B', No 213 Sqn | 24 Nov 1942 | Departed from LG.144 El Adem for Martuba No 2 |
| Aircraft of No 213 Sqn | 24 Nov 1942 | Departed from LG.144 El Adem for Martuba No 2 |
| 'A' Party, No 33 Sqn | 25 Nov 1942 | Departed from LG.144 El Adem for Benina |
| 'A' Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 25 Nov 1942 | Departed from LG.144 El Adem for Martuba No 1, arrived same day |
| Aircraft of No 238 Sqn | 25 Nov 1942 | Departed from LG.144 El Adem for Martuba No 1 |
| 'B' Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 25 Nov 1942 | Departed from LG.144 El Adem for Martuba No 1 |
| 'B' Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 26 Nov 1942 | Arrived at Martuba No 1 |
| No 33 Sqn | 20 Dec 1942 | Transferred to the control of No 212 Group |
| No 274 Sqn | xx Dec 1942 | Joined the Wing |
| No 89 Sqn det | xx Dec 1942 | Joined the Wing |
| No 238 Sqn | 29 Dec 1942 | Transferred to the control of AHQ Egypt but remained attached to No 212 Group |
Source - No 243 Wing ORB
Personnel Movements 1943
| Rank | Name |
Date |
Notes |
| Flt Lt | Beedham | 2 Jan 1943 | Ceased to be attached on posting out |
| Flt Lt | Stephenson | 8 Jan 1943 | Wing Accountant Officer, admitted to MRS |
| 2 Lt | Stevens SAAF | 13 Jan 1943 | Posted in for Signals duties |
| Flt Lt | Gardiner | 15 Jan 1943 | Posted in for Engineer duties |
| Wg Cdr | G D Garvin | 18 Jan 1943 | Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 243 Wing wef 15 Jan 1943 |
| Flt Lt | Wootton | 18 Jan 1943 | Attached for Accounts duties |
| Sub-Lt | Cox | 19 Jan 1943 | Attached for duty as Naval Liaison Officer |
| Plt Off | R S Archer | 20 Jan 1943 | Posted to No 5 Signals Centre |
| Sqn Ldr | Webb | 24 Jan 1943 | Posted in for duty as Sqn Ldr - Flying |
| Flt Lt | McKay | 26 Jan 1943 | Posted from No 274 Sqn to No 3 RSU to command Wing Training Flight |
| Sqn Ldr | Taylor | 28 Jan 1943 | Org - AHQ Egypt, arrived on attachment |
| Plt Off | D J Fevez | 30 Jan 1943 | Attached to No 2 Sector for Codes and Cypher duties |
Source - No 243 Wing ORB
Unit Composition and Movements 1943
| Unit | Date | Notes |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 5 Jan 1943 | Departed Martuba for Beda Littoria |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 10 Jan 1943 | Departed Beda Littoria for Driana (overnight stop) |
| 'A' Party, No 274 Sqn | 10 Jan 1943 | Departed for Agedabia East |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 11 Jan 1943 | Departed Driana for Agedabia East |
| No 33 ASP | 14 Jan 1943 | Arrived at Agedabia East |
| 'A' Party, No 274 Sqn | 15 Jan 1943 | Arrived at Agedabia East |
| 'A' Party, No 213 Sqn | 15 Jan 1943 | Departed Martuba for Agedabia East |
| Advance Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 16 Jan 1943 | Departed Agedabia East for Nofilia |
| Advance Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 17 Jan 1943 | Arrived at Nofilia |
| No 274 Sqn | 17 Jan 1943 | Arrived at LG |
| 'A' Party, No 213 Sqn | 18 Jan 1943 | Arrived at Agedabia East |
| 'A' Parties, all Sqns (except No 213) | 18 Jan 1943 | Departed Agedabia East for Tamet West |
| 'A' Party, No 213 Sqn | 19 Jan 1943 | Departed Agedabia East for Tamet West |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 19 Jan 1943 | Departed Nofilia for Tamet West |
| 'A' Party, No 274 Sqn | 19 Jan 1943 | Arrived at Tamet West |
| 'B' Party, No 274 Sqn | 19 Jan 1943 | Arrived at Agedabia East |
| Air Party, No 274 Sqn | 20 Jan 1943 | Arrived at Agedabia East |
| 'A' Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 20 Jan 1943 | Departed Tamet West for Buerat el Husn (overnight stop) |
| Air Party, No 213 Sqn | 22 Jan 1943 | Arrived at Misurata West |
| Air Party, No 274 Sqn | 22 Jan 1943 | Arrived at Misurata West |
| 'A' Party, No 213 Sqn | 23 Jan 1943 | Arrived at Misurata West |
| Rear Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 24 Jan 1943 | Arrived at Misurata West |
| 'B' Party, No 274 Sqn | 24 Jan 1943 | Arrived at Misurata West |
| 'A' Party, No 274 Sqn | 26 Jan 1943 | Arrived at Castel Benito |
| 'B' Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 28 Jan 1943 | Departed Misurata for Homs (overnight stop) |
| 'B' Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 29 Jan 1943 | Departed Homs (overnight stop) for Tripoli |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 12 Feb 1943 | Redesignated HQ, No 210 Group |
It reformed at Antimachia, Cos Island on 18 September 1943 as No 243 (Fighter) Wing comprising No 7 Squadron SAAF and a few aircraft of No 74 Squadron. The last message from the Wing was received on 3-4 October following which only 10 personnel managed to escape and it was formally disbanded on 20 October 1943.
Personnel Movements 1943
| Rank | Name |
Date |
Notes |
| Wg Cdr | R C Love | 18 Sep 1943 | Posted in for duty as Officer Commanding |
Source - No 243 Wing ORB
It reformed at No 21 PTC Kasfareet on 26 October 1943 as No 243 (Standard Offensive Fighter) Wing with Hurricane and Spitfire squadrons allotted to AHQ India. On embarking at Suez it was transferred from Mediterranean Air Command to ACSEA. On arrival in Chittagong it was placed under No 224 Group, was then transferred to No 221 Group on 17 Apr 1944, and began functioning on 25 April. It was regrouped for the close support of XXXIII Corps the same month and was redesignated No 907 Wing on 1 December 1944.
Personnel Movements 1943
| Rank | Name |
Date |
Notes |
| Wg Cdr | E R Bitmead | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Officer Commanding |
| Act Sqn Ldr | L Abraham | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Sqn Ldr - Admin |
| Sqn Ldr | C M Rees | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Controller |
| Sqn Ldr | E A Sadler | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Senior Equipment Officer |
| Act Sqn Ldr | G B Smither | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Sqn Ldr - Flying |
| Flt Lt | O H Sennett | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Senior Medical Officer |
| Act Flt Lt | H Burge | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Armament Officer |
| Act Flt Lt | C W Gee | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Signals Officer |
| Act Flt Lt | D F G Hastings | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Controller |
| Flt Lt | A L Monkhouse | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Accountant Officer |
| Act Flt Lt | J G Robbie | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Operations Officer |
| Act Flt Lt | E J H Stanton | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Equipment Officer |
| Fg Off | C R Colman | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Intelligence Officer |
| Fg Off | W J Crook | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Engineer Officer |
| Fg Off | D E Goodall | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Filtering Officer |
| Fg Off | B W Le M James | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Adjutant |
| Fg Off | D J E Proffitt | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Filtering Officer |
| Fg Off | E G Rawlings | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Operations Officer |
| Plt Off | C M James | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Filtering Officer |
| Plt Off | B L Kerwood | 26 Oct 1943* | Posted in for duty as Filtering Officer |
| Plt Off | S E Ellison | 1 Jan 1944 | Posted in for Operations duties |
*Actual arrival dates could have been in the last week of October or first week of November
Source - No 243 Wing ORB
Unit Composition and Movements 1943
| Unit | Date | Notes |
| No 123 Sqn | 14 Nov 1943 | Allocated to No 243 Wing |
| No 134 Sqn | 14 Nov 1943 | Allocated to No 243 Wing |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 14 Nov 1943 | embarked HMT Devonshire at Suez |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 15 Nov 1943 | HMT Devonshire set sail for Aden |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 20 Nov 1943 | HMT Devonshire arrived in Aden |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 21 Nov 1943 | HMT Devonshire set sail for Bombay |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 27 Nov 1943 | HMT Devonshire arrived in Bombay |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 29 Nov 1943 | Disembarked and entrained for Calcutta |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 3 Dec 1943 | Arrived and detrained in Calcutta and proceeded to No 35 PTC |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 5 Dec 1943 | Embarked on HMT Nevasa at Calcutta |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 6 Dec 1943 | HMT Nevasa set sail |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 9 Dec 1943 | Arrived at Chittagong, disembarked and entrained for Feni |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 10 Dec 1943 | Arrived and detraining at Feni |
| No 11 Sqn (Lalmai) | 18 Dec 1943 | No 243 Wing assumed Operational and Administrative control |
| No 60 Sqn (Agartala) | 18 Dec 1943 | No 243 Wing assumed Operational and Administrative control |
| No 123 Sqn (Feni) | 18 Dec 1943 | No 243 Wing assumed Operational and Administrative control |
| No 134 Sqn (Parashurum) | 18 Dec 1943 | No 243 Wing assumed Operational and Administrative control |
| RAF Station Feni | 24 Dec 1943 | No 243 Wing assumed Administrative control |
Source - No 243 Wing ORB
Personnel Movements 1943
| Rank | Name |
Date |
Notes |
| Plt Off | S E Ellison | 1 Jan 1944 | Posted in for Operations duties |
| Plt Off | Stuart | 1 Jan 1944 | Posted in for Operations duties |
| Fg Off | D E Goodall | 1 Jan 1944 | Posted to Filter Room, Chittagong |
| Plt Off | C M James | 1 Jan 1944 | Posted to Filter Room, Chittagong |
| Plt Off | B L Kerwood | 1 Jan 1944 | Posted to Filter Room, Chittagong |
| Fg Off | D J E Proffitt | 4 Jan 1944 | Posted to Filter Room, Chittagong |
| Plt Off | S E Ellison | 6 Jan 1944 | Posted to No 6 Operations Room for temporary duty |
| Sqn Ldr | E A Sadler | 8 Jan 1944 | Posted to HQ No 227 Group for Equipment duties |
| Sqn Ldr | L Abraham | 8 Jan 1944 | Proceeded to Barrackpore for a Staff Officers' Law course |
| Sqn Ldr | L Abraham | 29 Jan 1944 | Returned from Barrackpore on completion of Staff Officers' Law course |
| Flt Lt | O H Sennett | 29 Jan 1944 | Promoted to Act Sqn Ldr |
| Fg Off | B W Le M James | 29 Jan 1944 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Sqn Ldr | D F Cameron | 2 Feb 1944 | Arrived on posting for duty as Senior Medical Officer |
| Plt Off | B Singh | 5 Feb 1944 | Posted in for duty as Assistant Adjutant |
| Sqn Ldr | O H Sennett | 9 Feb 1944 | Proceeded to HQ No 224 Group on temporary duty |
| Plt Off | E E Gibson | 12 Feb 1944 | Posted in for duty as MT Officer |
| Plt Off | J W Heard | 12 Feb 1944 | Posted in for duty as Assistant Intelligence Officer |
| Lt | W Bree | 19 Feb 1944 | Attached for Defence duties |
| Lt | E R Nugent | 19 Feb 1944 | Attached for Defence duties |
| Sqn Ldr | D F Cameron | 1 Mar 1944 | Senior Medical Officer, posted to HQ No 224 Group |
| Plt Off | J Bell | 1 Mar 1944 | Posted in for duty as Signals Officer |
| Flt Lt | C W Gee | 3 Mar 1944 | Signals Officer, posted to HQ No 224 Group |
| Plt Off | S G A Bokhary | 6 Mar 1944 | Assistant Adjutant, posted to New Delhi |
| Fg Off | C R Colman | 10 Mar 1944 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Fg Off | F E Spencer | 10 Mar 1944 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Fg Off | W J Crook | 10 Mar 1944 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Flt Lt | F E Spencer | 10 Mar 1944 | Posted to No 175 Wing for Codes and Cypher duties |
| Lt | E A Mitter | 12 Mar 1944 | Indian Army AFSS, proceeded to Telecommunications School at Agra on course |
| Flt Lt | W S Napier | 13 Mar 1944 | Arrived on posting for duty as Senior Medical Officer |
| Flt Lt | C M Jackson | 14 Mar1944 | Arrived on posting for duty as Wing Cypher Officer |
| Lt | W Bree | 16 Mar 1944 | Ceased to be attached for Defence duties |
| Lt | E R Nugent | 16 Mar 1944 | Ceased to be attached for Defence duties |
| Sqn Ldr | A Finch | 17 Mar 1944 | Posted in for duty as C of E Padre |
| Fg Off | L P Blackwell | 25 Mar 1944 | Posted in for duty as Wing Catering Officer |
| Sqn Ldr | C M Rees | xx Mar 1944 | Posted to No 7 Operations Room |
| Flt Lt | D F G Hastings | xx Mar 1944 | Posted to No 7 Operations Room |
| Flt Lt | J G Robbie | xx Mar 1944 | Posted to No 7 Operations Room |
| Flt Lt | E G Rawlings | xx Mar 1944 | Posted to No 7 Operations Room |
| Plt Off | J W Heard | 12 Apr 1944 | Promoted to Fg Off |
| Flt Lt | W S Napier | 16 Apr 1944 | Promoted to Act Sqn Ldr wef 28 Mar 1944 |
| Fg Off | J Bell | 16 Apr 1944 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt wef 28 Mar 1944 |
| Sqn Ldr | G B Smither | 2 May 1944 | Assumed command of RAF Lanka |
| Sqn Ldr | A Finch | 10 May 1944 | Appointed Wing Welfare Officer |
| Flt Lt | T D H Miller | 23 May 1944 | Posted in for duty as Wing Dental Officer |
| Flt Lt | W J Crook | 27 May 1944 | Appointed Wing MT Officer |
| Flt Lt | C R Colman | 27 May 1944 | Appointed Wing Gas Officer |
| Fg Off | J W Heard | 27 May 1944 | Appointed Wing Fire Officer |
| Capt | C Pogson | 30 May 1944 | Attached from No 6 (Indian) AFS for AFS duties |
| Wg Cdr | T P A Bradley | 3 Jun 1944 | Posted in as supernumerary for duty as Officer Commanding |
| Wg Cdr | E R Bitmead | 5 Jun 1944 | Posted to No 151 OTU as Officer Commanding on promotion to Act Gp Capt |
| Wg Cdr | T P A Bradley | 5 Jun 1944 | Assumed command of No 243 Wing |
| Flt Lt | McCulloch | 17 Jun 1944 | Posted in for duty as Wing Armament Officer |
| Plt Off | E E Gibson | 1 Jul 1944 | Posted to BHQ, Bombay pending repatriation on medical grounds |
| Sqn Ldr | G B Smither | 11 Jul 1944 | Posted out to attend a Staff Course pending posting to HQ No 221 Group |
| Wg Cdr | T P A Bradley | 27 Jul 1944 | Proceeded to Kumbhirgram to assume temporary command of No 168 Wing |
| Sqn Ldr | L Abraham | 27 Jul 1944 | Assume temporary command of No 243 Wing |
| Flt Lt | H Burge | 29 Jul 1944 | Posted to HQ No 227 Group for Armament duties |
| Flt Lt | W J Crook | 29 Jul 1944 | Proceeded to HQ No 221 Group for temporary Engineer duties |
| Flt Lt | T D H Miller | 10 Aug 1944 | Proceeded to Calcutta for a medical board from which he was posted to Home Establishment |
| Act Flt Lt | A C Hess | 24 Aug 1944 | Posted in for duty as MT Officer |
| Fg Off | J D Blakeley | 29 Sep 1944 | Posted in from No 11 Sqn for duty as Wing Intelligence Officer |
| Flt Lt | C R Colman | 29 Sep 1944 | Wing Intelligence Officer, posted to HQ No 221 Group |
| Sqn Ldr | H C R Marten | 1 Oct 1944 | Posted in for duty as Senior Administrative Officer |
| Sqn Ldr | L Abraham | 1 Oct 1944 | Posted out pending repatriation to the UK |
| Plt Off | A D Crouch | 7 Oct 1944 | Posted in for duty as Intelligence Officer |
| Maj | R M Howie | 17 Oct 1944 | Attached for ALO duties |
| Act Flt Lt | A C Hess | xx Oct 1944 | Appointed Fire Officer |
| Fg Off | J D Blakeley | xx Oct 1944 | Appointed Security and Entertainments Officer |
| Plt Off | A D Crouch | xx Oct 1944 | Appointed Officer i/c National Savings |
| Flt Lt | C M Jackson | xx Oct 1944 | Appointed Welfare Officer |
| Sqn Ldr | Xavier (Padre) | xx Oct 1944 | Appointed Education Officer |
| Sqn Ldr | H C R Marten | xx Oct 1944 | Appointed PMC Officers Mess, President PSI and Sports Officer |
| Sqn Ldr | Riggall | 2 Nov 1944 | Posted in for duty as Sqn Ldr - Flying |
| Capt | T Waldon | 18 Nov 1944 | Attached for duty as ALO G3 |
| Fg Off | J D Blakeley | 18 Nov 1944 | Promoted to Flt Lt wef 1 Oct 1944 |
| Flt Lt | Tyas | 20 Nov 1944 | Posted in for duty as Wing Adjutant wef 10 Nov 1944 |
| Fg Off | B W Le M James | 20 Nov 1944 | Wing Adjutant, posted to No 188 Wing wef 10 Nov 1944 |
*Actual arrival dates could have been in the last week of October or first week of November
Source - No 243 Wing ORB
Unit Composition and Movements 1943
| Unit | Date | Notes |
| No 123 Sqn | 4 Jan 1944 | Moved to Pathakanda on leaving te Wing |
| Advance Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 17 Jan 1944 | Proceeded from Feni to 'Hay' (Ramu) |
| Main Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 19 Jan 1944 | Proceeded from Feni to Chittagong (overnight stop) |
| Main Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 20 Jan 1944 | Proceeded from Chittagong to 'Hay' |
| No 60 Sqn | 20 Jan 1944 | Left the Wing and remained at Agartala |
| No 134 Sqn | 20 Jan 1944 | Left the Wing on moving to Fazilpur |
| No 20 Sqn | 20 Jan 1944 | Joined the Wing and moved to 'George' |
| No 79 Sqn | 20 Jan 1944 | Joined the Wing at Chittagong |
| No 258 Sqn | 20 Jan 1944 | Joined the Wing at 'Hove' |
| No 11 Sqn | 25 Jan 1944 | Moved from Lalmai to 'Lyons' |
| No 79 Sqn | 28 Jan 1944? | Left the Wing on moving from Chittagong to Dohazari |
| No 134 Sqn | 28 Jan 1944? | Joined the Wing at 'Hay' |
| No 20 Sqn | 25 Feb 1944 | Left the Wing |
| No 258 Sqn | 25 Feb 1944 | Moved from 'Hove' to 'Reindeer I' |
| No 11 Sqn | 2 Mar 1944 | Left the Wing on moving to Palel |
| HQ No 243 Wing | 17 Apr 1944 | Transferred from No 224 Group to No 221 Group |
| Advance Air Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 17 Apr 1944 | Departed 'Hay' for Jorhat |
| 2nd Air Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 18 Apr 1944 | Departed 'Hay' for Jorhat |
| Semi Advance Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 18 Apr 1944 | Departed 'Hay' for Jorhat by road |
| Heavy Equipment, HQ No 243 Wing | 19 Apr 1944 | Departed 'Hay' for Jorhat by rail |
| Main Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 20 Apr 1944 | Departed 'Hay' for Jorhat by road via Chittagong, Feni, Agartala, Sylhet, Shillong and Nowgong |
| Main Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 28 Apr 1944 | Arrived at Jorhat but owing to lack of space moved to RAF Dergaon |
| No 134 Sqn | 17 Apr 1944 | Left the Wing when it moved to Jorhat |
| No 258 Sqn | 17 Apr 1944 | Left the Wing when it moved to Jorhat |
| No 28 Sqn | 17 Apr 1944 | Joined the Wing at Jorhat |
| No 34 Sqn | 17 Apr 1944 | Joined the Wing at Dergaon |
| No 5 Sqn | 17 Apr 1944 | Joined the Wing at Lanka |
| No 11 Sqn | 17 Apr 1944 | Joined the Wing at Lanka |
| No 11 Sqn | May 1944 | Left the Wing |
| No 60 Sqn | 16 May 1944 | Joined the Wing |
| No 615 Sqn | 28 May 1944 | Joined the Wing |
| No 615 Sqn | xx Jun 1944 | Left the Wing |
| No 60 Sqn | 2 Jul 1944 | Left the Wing on transfer to No 168 Wing |
| No 28 Sqn | 6 Jul 1944 | Left the Wing |
| Advance Party, No 34 Sqn | 10 Jul 1944 | Departed Jorhat for Palel |
| 2nd Advance Party, No 34 Sqn | 12 Jul 1944 | Departed Jorhat for Palel |
| Road and Rail Parties, No 34 Sqn | 14 Jul 1944 | Departed Jorhat for Palel |
| Air Party, No 34 Sqn | 16 Jul 1944 | Departed Jorhat for Palel |
| Advance Party 'A', HQ No 243 Wing | 20 Jul 1944 | Departed Jorhat for Dimapur |
| Advance Party 'B', HQ No 243 Wing | 21 Jul 1944 | Departed Jorhat for Dimapur |
| Advance Party 'C', HQ No 243 Wing | 22 Jul 1944 | Departed Jorhat for Dimapur |
| Main Road Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 23 Jul 1944 | Departed Jorhat for Dimapur |
| Air Party, No 34 Sqn | 23 Jul 1944 | Left the Wing |
| Advance Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 24 Sep 1944 | Departed Dimapur for Imphal |
| Main Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 28 Sep 1944 | Departed Dimapur for Imphal |
| Advance Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 6 Oct 1944 | Departed Imphal for Tamu, Burma |
| Main Party, HQ No 243 Wing | 9 Oct 1944 | Departed Imphal for Tamu, Burma |
| Advance Party, No 152 Sqn | 21 Oct 1944 | Arrived at Tamu |
| Main Party, No 152 Sqn | 28 Oct 1944 | Arrived at Tamu |
| Air Party, No 152 Sqn | 29 Oct 1944 | Completed the move to Tamu and joined the Wing |
| No 11 Sqn | 5 Nov 1944 | Joined the Wing |
| No 60 Sqn det | 10 Nov 1944 | Joined the Wing |
| No 60 Sqn det | 11 Nov 1944 | Left the Wing |
Source - No 243 Wing ORB
This page was last updated on 14/06/20©
