Air of Authority -A History of RAF Organisation

Nos 111 - 192 Wings

This list does not include Initial Training Wings, which are listed under Ground Training Units.

No 111 Wing

This was formed at Northolt on 4 September 1944 as No 111 (Transport) Wing under the control of Air Defence of Great Britain to control Staging Posts in Western Europe.  On 16 October it moved to Beitsfount, (Brussels) but by November was at Bradwell Bay.  An Advanced HQ was detached to Suchteln on 5 April 1945 before moving to Buckeburg on 2 June, where it was joined by the Main HQ on 9 July 1945.  By 31 August it was at Bad Eilsen, where it disbanded on 6 April 1946.

No 112 Wing

This was formed at Dorval, near Montreal on 25 March 1943 as No 112 (Transport) Wing in No 45 Group to control ferrying operations over the North Atlantic and disbanded on 8 January 1946.

No 113 Wing

Originally formed as HQ South Atlantic Wing at Nassau in the Bahamas on 15 February 1943 in No 45 Group, it was redesignated No 113 (Transport) Wing on 11 March.  Its task was to control ferrying operations over the South Atlantic until being redesignated No 88 Terminal Staging Post on 3 July 1945.

No 114 Wing

This was formed at Accra on 1 September 1943 as No 114 (Transport) Wing in No 216 Group from No 5 Ferry Control and No 62 Embarkation Unit.  On 23 December it was transferred to AHQ West Africa and disbanded into the AHQ West Africa on 1 September 1945.

No 115 Wing

This was formed at Wadi Seidna on 7 May 1944 as No 115 (Transport) Wing by redesignating No 2 (Middle East) Ferry Contro in No 216 Group, taking over the control of Staging Posts in East Africa.  On 1 June 1944 it moved to Khartoum, then to Shaibah, near Basrah on 24 October 1945 but by 22 November was at Sheikh Othman in Aden, where it disbanded on 10 April 1946.

No 116 Wing

This was originally to have been designated No 116 (Independent) Wing, but when it formed at Hendon Hall Hotel, Ashley Lane, Hendon on 1 January 1944 it was as No 116 (Transport) Wing.  It was tasked with taking over the control of scheduled services to India from No 44 Group.  On 23 July it moved to No 2 Officers Mess, RAF Hendon, where it was redesignated No 47 Group on 1 January 1945.

No 117 Wing

This was formed at 4 Alipore Road, Calcutta on 10 September 1944 as No 117 (Transport) Wing in No 229 Group to control all No 229 Group units within an area east of 84^o East and 20^o North, becoming operational on 19 February 1945 and disbanded on 28 February 1946.

No 118 Wing

This was formed at Delhi on 10 September 1944 as No 118 (Transport) Wing in No 229 Group, moving to University Avenue, Rangoon on 17 May 1945, becoming operational on 20 May at 149 Victoria Road. Rangoon.   On 30 September it moved to Nos 8, 9 and 11 Leonie Road, Singapore, with a detachment at Batavia and disbanded in No 232 Group on 25 February 1946.

No 119 Wing

This was formed at Habbaniya on 14 February 1944 as No 119 (Transport) Wing in No 216 Group to control the Northern Arabian reinforcement route up to but not including Jiwani, westwards to and including H.3 and all Staging Posts in Iraq and Persia.  However it was redesignated No 151 Wing on 10 March to avoid confusion with No 119 MU which was also in the same area.

No 120 Wing

This was formed at Odiham on 12 November 1945 as No 120 (Transport) (RCAF) Wing to control Nos 435, 436 and 437 squadrons RCAF equipped with Dakotas as well as RCAF Odiham and RCAF Down Ampney, disbanded on 30 June 1946

Airfields/Wings

As a result of lessons learnt in the Middle East and through exercises in the UK, it became obvious that a fully mobile infrastructure would be needed to undertake the proposed invasion of North-West Europe.  The first step taken was to plan for a series of what would be basically mobile stations, comprising two or more operational squadrons, the associated servicing and transport services and the administrative structures.  These units were initially called Airfields, not to be confused with the area on an static aerodrome used for landing and taking off, with a couple of Airfields being controlled by a Wing HQ.  However, just prior to the actual invasion, Operation 'Overlord', these airfields were redesignated as Wings with the original controlling Wings beings either disbanded or redesignated as Sectors. 

To simplify the histories of these units, they have been combined into single entries covering the period of both Airfields and Wings, as shown below.

 No 121 Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 121 Airfield at Wrexham on 22 February 1943 in 'Z' Group (renamed No 83 Group on 1 April), being placed under No 16 Wing on 5 July.  It was transferred to No 22 Wing on 16 April 1944 and was redesignated No 121 Wing on 12 May 1944.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

On 12 May 1944 No 121 Airfield was redesignated as No 121 (Rocket Projectile) Wing at Holmsley South in No 22 Sector, No 83 Group, 2nd TAF.  Initially comprising Nos 174, 175 and 245 Squadrons, it moved to France on 16 June 1944, where No 184 Squadron joined it on 15 Jul 1944.  It then made its made through France, Belgum, the Netherlands Germany and into Denmark in support of the Allied ground forces but following the end of hostilities in Europe it returned to the UK and disbanded at Dunsfold on 30 September 1945.

The table below show its various locations in Europe.

Officers Commanding: -

22 Feb 1943                    Wg Cdr J S Adams DFC

21 Mar 1943                    Wg Cdr/Gp Capt C S Morice MC (Gp Capt from 25 Jul 1944)

21 Dec 1944                    Gp Capt E G Jones

 5 Apr 1945                     Gp Capt R P R Powell

xx Aug 1945                    Wg Cdr J G Keep

Wing Commanders Flying: -

xx xxx 1943                     Wg Cdr H Bird-Wilson

xx Aug 1943                    Wg Cdr D Crowley-Milling

xx Sep 1943                    Wg Cdr R T P Davidson

xx Jan 1944                     Wg Cdr C L Green

25 Aug 1944                   Wg Cdr W Pitt Brown

 6 Nov 1944                    Wg Cdr M T Judd

xx Jan 1945                     Vacant

xx Feb 1945                    Wg Cdr J G Keep

It reformed at Fassberg on 1 April 1953 as No 121 (Day Fighter) Wing in 2nd TAF to control local squadrons with Nos 14, 98 and 118 Squadrons.  On  19 Apr 1955 No 98 Squadron left, followed by No 118  on 6 May and No 14 on 23 May and disbanded on 1 November 1956 in No 2 Group.

It reformed at Gutersloh the same day (1 November 1956) by redesignating No 551 Wing in No 2 Group with Nos 59 and 79 Squadrons and disbanded on 1 September 1957.

It reformed once again at Gutersloh on 1 September 1958 with Nos 20 and 79 Squadrons.  No 26 Squadron joined on 8 September followed by No 14 Squadron on 15 September and disbanded on 1 January 1960.

It reformed at Coningsby on 1 April 2006 as No 121 Expeditionary Air Wing (Multi Role) to provide general support to the NATO Response Force as well as Humanitarian and Disaster relief; peacekeeping or for stabilisation operations and is still in existence.

Officers Commanding: -

xx xxx xxxx                            Wg Cdr Blythe Crawford (2013)

xx xxx 2014                            Wg Cdr M Tillyard

xx xxx 2015                            Wg Cdr S Smiley

No 122 Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 122 Airfield at Zeals on 15 February 1943 in 'Z' Group, which redesignated No 83 (Composite) Group on 19 March.  On 1 August it was placed under No 15 Wing and was redesignated No 122 Wing on 12 May 1944.

No 122 Airfield was redesignated No 122 (Rocket Projectile) Wing on 12 May 1944 in No 15 Sector, No 83 Group, 2nd TAF at Gravesend, comprising Nos 19, 65 and 122 Squadrons.  After moving to the Continent in June its squadrons returned to RAF Matlask in the UK on 28 September 1944, where they joined No 150 Wing. 

Meanwhile, the Tempests of No 150 Wing moved to Grimbergen to join No 122 Wing on 28 September 1944 in No 83 Group, 2nd TAF and after moving through The Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, disbanded in BAFO on 7 September 1945. 

Officers Commanding: -

15 Feb 1943                     Wg Cdr C F Currant

xx Jun 1944                       Gp Capt P G Jameson

Wing Commander Flying: -

xx May 1943                    Wg Cdr H A C Bird-Wilson

 5 Oct 1943                      Detached to No 129 Airfield

25 Nov 1943                    Wg Cdr P R W Wickham

 8 Jan 1944                       Wg Cdr R J C Grant (killed in a flying accident on 28 Feb 1944)

28 Feb 1944                    Sqn Ldr A C Stewart (Acting)

12 Mar 1944                     Wg Cdr G R A M Johnston

15 Sep 1944                     Wg Cdr W W J Loud

28 Sep 1944                     Wg Cdr R P Beamont (Force landed and captured- 12 Oct 1944)

15 Oct 1944                     Wg Cdr J B Wray

25 Dec 1944                    Sqn Ldr Cotes-Preedy (Acting)

 2 Jan 1945                      Wg Cdr R E P Brooker (killed in action 16 Apr 1945)

xx Apr 1945                     Wg Cdr E D Mackie

Two photos above show a locomotive being hit taken by the gun camera of an 80 Sqn Tempest, No 122 Wing on 21st February 1945, being flown by Wg/Cdr R.E.P. Brooker DSO and Bar, DFC and Bar

The group photos above show members of No 122 Wing, locations currently unknown (Courtesy-Martin Rushworth) Top-Ground Officers Centre-Pilots Bottom-Nob-Commissioned Ground Personnel Photos below:-Kiwi’s from 122 Wing at Volkel (B80) January 1945. Mostly 486 Sqn. Tempests.  (Courtesy-Martin Rushworth)

L to R rear:  Keith Smith, ‘Wacky’ Kalka, Bill Campbell, Ralph Evans, ‘Pip’ Powell, Brian O’Conner, Owen Eagleson, Bill Trott, Flt.Lt. L.‘Happy’ Appleton, Ray Danzey. Front:  Colin McDonald, ‘Ike’ Fenton, Jim Sheddan, Harold Longley (3 Sqn.), Keith Thiele (3 Sqn.) CO. Sqn. Ldr. ‘Spike’ Umbers D.F.C. and Bar (killed in action 14 Feb.1945), Evan Mackie (274 Sqn.), ‘Joe’ Crafts (274 Sqn.), Bob Spurdle (80 Sqn.), Johnny Wood, ‘Pop’ Melles, Allan Inglis, (Australian on 486 Sqn.), Dusty Miller.

Sqn. Ldr. A.E.‘Spike’ Umbers, DFC & Bar, Keith Thiele (3 Sqn.), ‘Joe’ Crafts, (274 Sqn.), Evan Mackie (274 Sqn.), Bob Spurdle (80 Sqn.).

North Islanders.-‘Pip’ Powell, Ralph Evans, ‘Wacky’ Kalka, Sid Short, Ray Danzey, ‘Ginger’ Eagleson, ‘Pop’ Melles

South Islanders. -W/O C.J.‘Jim’ Sheddan from Waimate, F/O W.A.L.‘Bill’ Trott D.F.C.  from Taihope, F/O Brian J.O’Connor from Dargaville, Sqn. Ldr. A.E.‘Spike’ Umbers D.F.C.and Bar from Dunedin, P/O J.E.’Johnny’ Wood, Flt.Lt. C.J.‘Colin’ McDonald from Christchurch, Flt/Lt W.L.‘Dusty’ Miller from Invercargill

L to R-Sqn Ldr E D Mackie DSO, DFC* (OC, No 80 Sqn), Sqn Ldr K F Thiele DSO, DFC** (OC, 3 Sqn), Gp Capt P G Jameson DSO, DFC* (OC, No 122 Wing), Sqn Ldr A E Umbers DFC* (OC, No 486 Sqn)

It reformed at Jever on 1 April 1953 to control its local squadrons, Nos 4, 93, and 98.  On 6 May 1955 it these were joined by 118 Squadron with No 98 disbanding on 15 July 1957 followed by No 118 on 22 August 1957, leaving just Nos 4 and 93 until the the Wing disbanded on 1 January 1960.

It reformed as No 122 Expeditionary Air Wing (Fighter/Ground Attack) at Cottesmore on 1 April 2006, but following the withdrawal of the Harrier, the Wing was disbanded in 2012.

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 123 Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 123 Airfield at Stoney Cross on 1 April 1943 in No 35 Wing.  On 10 July 1943 it was re-organised at Odiham for new squadrons and was transferred to No 20 Wing on 10 March 1944, being redesignated No 123 Wing on 12 May 1944 at Thorney Island.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

No 123 (Rocket Projectile) Wing was formed on 12 May 1944 by redesignating No 123 Airfield in No 83 Group, 2nd TAF at Thorney Island initially with Nos 198 and 609 Squadrons.  It moved to the Continent on 1 July 1944 to begin a nomadic existence through France, Belgium, Holland and finally into Germany.  By 1 January 1945 it had been transferred to No 84 Group and disbanded in October 1947.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

xx Jun 1943                     Wg Cdr J R Davenport

xx Nov 1943                   Wg Cdr R Noel Smith

xx Mar 1944                   Wg Cdr/Gp Capt D J Scott

xx Feb 1945                    Gp Capt J R Baldwin

Wing Commander Flying: -

xx May 1944                  Wg Cdr R E P Brooker

xx Jul 1944                     Wg Cdr W Dring (killed in a flying accident - 13 Jan 1945)

xx Jan 1945                    Wg Cdr J C Button

It reformed at Wunstorf on 1 April 1953 in No 2 Group to control its local units comprising Nos 5, 11 and 266 Squadrons.  On 7 November 1955 these were joined by No 541 Squadron, which disbanded on 6 September 1957 followed by No 5 Squadron on 12 October 1957, leaving just Nos 5 and 11 Squadrons, until the Wing disbanded on 16 November 1957.

No 124 Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 124 Airfield at Lasham on 1 April 1943 in No 83 Group.  On 5 July 1943 it was transferred to No 16 Wing, then on 16 April 1944 to No 22 Wing but was redesignated No 124 Wing on 12 May 1944.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

No 124 (Rocket Projectile) Wing was formed at Hurn by redesignating No 124 Airfield on 12 May 1944 in No 22 Sector, No 83 Group, 2nd TAF.  It moved to the Continent on 16 June 1944 to begin a nomadic existence through France, Belgium, Holland and finally into Germany but returned to the UK and disbanded on 30 Apr 1946.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

xx Jun 1943                    Wg Cdr L A Lynn

xx Jun 1943                    Wg Cdr V E Maxwell

xx Sep 1943                   Wg Cdr B G Carroll

xx Jul 1944                     Gp Capt C H Appleton (killed in action - 12 Aug 1944)

xx Aug 1944                   Gp Capt C L Green

xx Jan 1945                    Gp Capt E R Bitmead

Wing Commander Flying: -

xx Jul 1943                    Wg Cdr D E Gillam

xx Aug 1943                  Wg Cdr A Ingle

xx Oct 1943                  Wg Cdr D R Walker

xx Jan 1944                   Wg Cdr E Haabjorn

xx Aug 1944                  Wg Cdr C D North-Lewis

xx Apr 1945                  Wg Cdr G F H Webb (killed in action - 2 May 1945)

xx May 1945                 Wg Cdr M R Ingle-Finch

It reformed at Oldenburg on 1 Apr 1953 as No 124 (Fighter) Wing in No 2 Group to control its local units, Nos 20 and 26 Squadrons, with No 14 Squadron joining on 23 May 1955 and disbanded on 2 October 1957.

No 125 Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 125 Airfield at Gravesend on 24 Jun 1943 from personnel of Nos 3020 and 3036 Servicing Echelons in No 83 Group  On 1 August 1943 it was placed under No 15 Wing and was redesignated No 125 Wing on 12 May 1944. 

No 125 (Fighter) Wing was formed at Ford on 12 May 1944 by redesignating No 125 Airfield in No 15 Sector, No 83 Group, 2nd TAF. It moved to the Continent on 17 June 1944 to begin a nomadic existence through France, Belgium, Holland and finally into Germany, disbanding at Lubeck on 14 July 1945.

Officers Commanding: -

27 Jun 1943                     Wg Cdr J H Lapsley

12 Jul 1944                      Gp Capt J Rankin

25 Aug 1944                    Gp Capt F D S Scott-Malden

28 Mar 1945                    Gp Capt J E Johnson

Wing Commander Flying: -

11 Aug 1943                  Wg Cdr R D Yule

12 Mar 1944                  Wg Cdr A C Stewart

 7 Jul 1944                     Wg Cdr A G Page

 6 Oct 1944                   Wg Cdr J Wray

13 Nov 1944                 Wg Cdr G C Keefer

It reformed at Ahlhorn on 1 April 1953 as No 125 (Night Fighter) Wing in No 2 Group to control its local units, Nos 96 and 256 Squadrons.  On 1 September 1955 its strength was brought up to three squadrons by the arrival of No 213 Squadron but this unit left on 22 August 1957 to be replaced by Nos 14 and 20 Squadrons on 26 September 1957.  However, Nos 96 and 256 Squadrons were transferred to No 138 Wing on  12 February 1958 and the Wing disbanded on 1 September 1958.

It reformed at Leuchars on 1 April 2006 as No 125 Expeditionary Air Wing (Fighter) but with the closure of RAF Leuchars the Wing was disbanded in 2015.

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 126 (RCAF) Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 126 Airfield at Redhill on 4 July 1943 in No 17 (RCAF) Wing and was redesignated No 126 Wing on 12 May 1944.

No 126 (RCAF) (Fighter) Wing was formed at Tangmere on 12 May 1944 by redesignating No 126 Airfield  in No 15 Sector (later No 17 Sector), No 83 Group, 2nd TAF.  It moved to the Continent on 17 June 1944 to begin a nomadic existence through France, Belgium, Holland and finally into Germany, disbanding at Utersen on 31 March 1946.

Officers Commanding: -

 9 Jul 1943                     Wg Cdr J E Walker

27 Aug 1943                  Wg Cdr K L B Hodson

20 Jul 1944                     Gp Capt G R McGregor

28 Sep 1945                   Gp Capt W E Bennett

Wing Commander Flying: -

xx Jul 1943                    Wg Cdr B D Russel

17 Oct 1943                  Wg Cdr R W McNair

12 Apr 1944                  Wg Cdr G C Keefer

 8 Jul 1944                     Wg Cdr B D Russel

14 Feb 1945                  Wg Cdr G W Northcott

21 Jul- 1 Aug 1945       Sqn Ldr J D Mitchener (Temporary)

 7 Aug-xx xxx 1945     Sqn Ldr Dewan (Temporary)

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 127 (RCAF) Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 127 Airfield at Kenley on 4 July 1943 in No 17 (RCAF) Wing, but it was 12 July before the HQ opened and was redesignated No 127 Wing on 12 May 1944.

No 127 (RCAF) (Fighter) Wing was formed on 12 May 1944 by redesignating No 127 Airfield in No 15 Sector (later No 17 Sector), No 83 Group, 2nd TAF.   It moved to the Continent on 17 June 1944 to begin a nomadic existence through France, Belgium, Holland and finally into Germany, disbanding at Reinsehlen on 7 July 1945.

Officers Commanding: -

13 Jul 1943                    Wg Cdr M Brown

14 Jul 1944                    Gp Capt W R MacBrien

xx Jan 1945                   Gp Capt P S Turner

Wing Commander Flying: -

12 Jul 1943                       Wg Cdr J E Johnson

19 Sep 1943                     Wg Cdr H C Godefroy

16 Apr 1944                     Wg Cdr L V Chadburn (killed in action - 13 Jun 1944)

13 Jun 1944                      Wg Cdr R A Buckham

xx Jul 1944                       Vacant

14 Jul 1944                       Wg Cdr J E Johnson

30 Mar 1945                    Vacant

 6 Apr 1945                     Wg Cdr J F Edwards

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 128 Airfield/Wing

It was formed at Dunsfold as No 128 Airfield on 4 July 1943 in No 39 (Reconnaissance) Wing and was redesignated No 128 Wing on 12 May 1944.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

No 128 (Fighter) (RCAF) Wing was formed at Odiham on 12 May 1944 by redesignating No 128 Airfield in No 83 Group, 2nd TAF.  No 400 Squadron remained but No 168 Squadron was replaced by Nos 414 and 430 Squadrons to make it a pure RCAF unit.  Between 12- 15 May it appears to have moved to St Leonards Field as it returned to Odiham on 15 May 1944, moving on to the Continent on 29 June to B.8 Sommervieu, where it merged into No 39 Wing on 1 July 1944.

Officers Commanding: -

  4 Jul 1943                      Sqn Ldr J M Hall

 4 Aug 1943                     Sqn Ldr/Wg Cdr J M Godfrey (Wg Cdr from 27 Aug 1943)

It reformed at North Weald on 7 May 1945 as No 128 (Reconnaissance) Wing in No 88 Group for Operation Doomsday o control all RAF units in Oslo area except for those under the direct control of No 88 Group HQ.  It moved to Dyce on 4 May 1945, sailing for Norway on 15 May, arriving at  Oslo/Gardermoen on 22 May but returned to the UK at Dunsfold on 14 November, where it disbanded on 12 December 1945.

It reformed at Habbaniya on 4 Mar 1954 as No 128 (Tactical) Wing under AHQ Iraq with Nos 6 and 73 Squadrons and disbanded on 31 October 1955.

No 129 Airfield/Wing

This was formed 4 July 1943 at Gatwick as No 129 Airfield in No 39 (Reconnaissance) Wing  being placed under No 15 Wing on 20 April 1944 and was redesignated No 129 Wing on 12 May 1944.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

No 129 (Fighter Bomber) Wing was formed at Westhampnett on 12 May 1944 by redesignating No 129 Airfield in No 15 Sector, No 83 Group, 2nd TAF with No 184 Squadron.  It began its move to the Continent on 13 June 1944, arriving at B.10 Plumetot on 28 June but disbanded on 12 July 1944.  

Officers Commanding: -

 4 Jul 1943                    Wg Cdr E H G Moncrieff

24 Jan 1944                  Sqn Ldr F H Chesters (Temporary)

10 Feb 1944                 Wg Cdr R C A Waddell (Temporary)

27 Feb 1944                  Wg Cdr D S C Macdonald

Wing Commander Flying: -

 5- 24 Oct 1943                       Wg Cdr H E C Bird-Wilson (Temporary)

It reformed at Turnhouse on 7 May 1945 as No 129 (RAF) Wing in No 88 Group for Operation Apostle to control all RAF units in the Stavanger area, including No 330 Squadron.  It moved to Stavanger/Sola on 30 May but was back in the UK at Chilbolton on 29 November, where it disbanded on 12 December 1945.

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 130 Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 130 Airfield at Gravesend on 16 July 1943 in No 35 Wing  and was redesignated No 130 Wing on 12 May 1944.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

No 130 (Reconnaissance) Wing was formed at Odiham (having moved from Gatwick?) on 12 May 1944 by redesignating No 130 Airfield as  in No 84 Group, 2nd TAF  comprising Nos 2, 4 and 268 Squadrons but was merged into No 35 Wing on 7 July 1944.

Officers Commanding: -

18 Jul 1943                        Wg Cdr A F Anderson

28 Feb 1944                      Wg Cdr R Noel-Smith

It reformed at Turnhouse on 7 May 1945 as No 130 Wing in No 88 Group for Operation Apostle to control all RAF units, including Nos 129 and 165 Squadrons in Trondelag area of Norway.  It moved to Oslo on 5 June but returned to the UK at Dunsfold on 14 November, where it disbanded on 15 December 1945.

No 131 (Polish) Airfield/Wing

It was formed at Northolt as No 131 Airfield Headquarters (Polish) on 4 Oct 1943 in No 18 Wing, comprising Nos 302, 303 and 317 Squadrons.  It moved to Deanland on 1 April 1944, Chailey on 26 April and on 12 May 1944, was redesignated No 131 Wing on the same day.  It moved to the Continent on 22 July 1944 to begin a nomadic existence through France, Belgium, Holland and finally into Germany.  Remaining at Ahlhorn as part of BAFO, it finally returned to the UK in October 1946, disbanding at Hethel on 2 January 1947.

Officers Commanding: -

14 Oct 1943                    Wg Cdr Z Krasnodebski

24 Feb 1944                    Wg Cdr Z Czaykowski

16 Jul 1944                      Gp Capt A Gabszewicz

19 Jun 1945                    Gp Capt Witorzene

Wing Commander Flying: -

12 Jul 1944                      Wg Cdr J Kowalski

14 Oct 1944                    Wg Cdr T Sawicz

28 Aug 1945                    Wg Cdr Krol

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 132 (Norwegian) Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 132 (Norwegian) Airfield Headquarters at North Weald on 1 November 1943 in No 11 Group, comprising Nos 331 and 332 Squadrons, being transferred to No 84 Group on 16 December.  It moved to Bognor on 31 March 1944, where it took over No 66 Squadron on 20 April, by now being under No 19 Wing but was redesignated No 132 Wing on 12 May 1944.  It moved to the Continent between 2- 21 August 1944 to begin a nomadic existence through France, Belgium and finally Holland but on 7 May 1945 it returned to the UK joining Fighter Command to take control all RAF units in Kristiansund/South area of Norway.  On 17 October 1945 it was placed in Care and Maintenance and was transferred to the Royal Norwegian Air Force on 21 November 1945, along with Nos 330, 331, 333 and 334 Squadrons.

Officers Commanding: -

 1 Nov 1943                    Lt Col H Mehre

 1 Aug 1944                    Gp Capt D G Morris/Lt Col W Mohr

25 Feb 1945                    Lt Col H Mehre/Lt Col W Mohr?

19 Apr 1945                    Wg Cdr C F Bradley/Lt Col H Mehre

xx May 1945                    Lt Col W Mohr

Wing Commander Flying/Operations: -

xx Jan 1944                    Lt Col K Birksted

11 Mar 1944                  Lt Col R A Berg (killed in action - 3 Feb 1945)

 3 Feb 1945                    Lt Col F Ryg

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 133 (Polish) Airfield/Wing

It was formed at Heston as No 133 Airfield Headquarters (Polish) on 1 November 1943 by redesignating No 1 Polish Wing in No 18 Wing with Nos 306 and 315 Squadrons.  It moved to Coolham on1 April 1944 and was redesignated No 133 Wing on 12 May 1944, now in No 18 Sector, No 84 Group, 2nd TAF.  However, on 3 July it was transferred to No 11 Group then on 23 December to the direct control of Fighter Command and disbanded on 7 August 1945, with all personnel and units being absorbed into SHQ RAF Coltishall. 

Officers Commanding: -

 1 Nov 1943                    Wg Cdr/Gp Capt T Nowierski

16 Feb 1945                    Gp Capt T Rolski

Wing Commander Flying/Operations: -

15 Nov 1943                   Wg Cdr W Zak

xx xxx 1943                    Wg Cdr J Kowalski

 8 Apr 1944                    Wg Cdr S F Skalski

30 Jan 1945                    Wg Cdr Wojtkowski

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 134 (Czech) Airfield/Wing

It was formed at Ibsley as No 134 (Czech) Airfield Headquarters on 8 November 1943 in ADGB, comprising Nos 310, 312 and 313 Squadrons.  On 7 January 1944 it was transferred to No 84 Group, 2nd TAF, moving to Mendlesham on 18 February then to Appledram on 3 April and by 20 April it had been placed under No 19 Wing but was redesignated No 134 Wing on 12 May 1944 by which time it was in No 84 Group, 2nd TAF.   On 1 July the Czech squadrons and Servicing Echelons were transferred from 2nd TAF to the control of Air Defence of Great Britain, a situation being dictated by the lack of reserve Czech pilots and the desire to maintain in being, three Czech squadrons.  The Wing officially disbanded on 12 July 1944 but the Czech squadrons continued to from the UK until 24 August 1945, when they moved to Czechoslovakia.

Officers Commanding: -

18 Nov 1943                  Wg Cdr F Weber

 5 Jan 1944                     Wg Cdr F Weber (Czech)/Wg Cdr G D Blackwood (British) (Double Banked)

 1 Apr 1944                    Wg Cdr G D Blackwood/Wg Cdr J Cermak (Czech) (Double Banked)

Wing Commander Flying: -

xx Dec 1943                    Wg Cdr F Dolezal

30 Jan 1944                    Wg Cdr T Vybral

 5 Jul 1944                      Wg Cdr R H Harries

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 135 Airfield/Wing/No 135 Expeditionary Air Wing

It was formed at Hornchurch as No 135 Airfield on 15 November 1943 in No 20 Wing, comprising Nos 66, 129 and 350 Squadrons.  When No 23 Wing was formed on 1 March 1944, No 135 Airfield was transferred to its control, but on 15 April the Wing was disbanded and No 135 Airfield was transferred to No 18 (Polish) Wing.  On 12 May 1944, it was redesignated No 135 Wing and moved to the Continent on 23 August 1944 to begin a nomadic existence through France, Belgium, Holland and finally into Germany, where it became part of BAFO and disbanded after arriving at Gutersloh on 1 December 1947. 

Officers Commanding: -

15 Nov 1943                 Wg Cdr A S Linney

27 Jul 1944                    Gp Capt P R Walker

14 Nov 1945                 Gp Capt H L Maxwell

11 Mar 1946                 Gp Capt J E Johnson

25 May 1946                 Gp Capt H P Broad

19 Aug 1946                  Gp Capt M F D Williams

Wing Commander Flying/Operations: -

15 Nov 1943                   Wg Cdr W V Crawford-Crompton

xx Dec 1943                    Wg Cdr P J Simpson

16 Jul 1944                      Wg Cdr R H Harries

15 Feb 1945                    Wg Cdr H M Mason

27 Feb 1946                    Wg Cdr R Deacon-Elliott

 8 Apr 1946                     Sqn Ldr A W Bowers (Temporary)

 1 May 1946                    Wg Cdr  M R Ingle-Finch

24 Jun 1946                     Wg Cdr R Deacon-Elliott

13 Jun 1946                     Wg Cdr J W E Holmes

It reformed at Bruggen on 1 April 1953 as No 135 (Fighter) Wing in 2nd TAF  to control its local squadrons, namely Nos 67, 71, 112 and 130 Squadrons.  By June 1958 it comprised Nos 80, 87 and 213 Squadrons and disbanded on 1 January 1960.

It reformed as No 135 Expeditionary Air Wing (Fighter) on 1 April 2006 at Leeming and remains in existence to provide expeditionary support to the Typhoons of the RAF's fighter force.

Officers Commanding: -

xx xxx xxxx                   Wg Cdr S Hulme (2014)

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 136 Airfield/Wing

It was formed at Fairlop as No 136 Airfield on 22 November 1943 in No 84 Group, being placed under No 20 Wing on 1 January 1944 and was redesignated No 136 Wing on 12 May 1944, but was disbanded into No 123 Wing on 26 July 1944.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it..  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

22 Nov 1943                   ?

Wing Commander Flying: -

xx Nov 1943                    Wg Cdr B Drake

xx May 1944                    Wg Cdr J M Bryan

It was due reform  at Swanton Morley on 24 August 1944 in No 2 Group comprising Nos 131 and 234 Squadrons together with their Servicing Echelons, but the plans were cancelled on 7 September 1944.

Its reformation was authorised on 20 October 1944 but it was 5 November before it actually commenced at Hartfordbridge on  in No 2 Group, moving to the Continent in March 1945 and officially disbanded on 15 September 1945, although it was 30 October before the process was finally completed.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

 5 Nov 1944                   Gp Capt T M Horgan, DSO, DFC

 4 Apr 1945                    Wg Cdr A W Langton DFC, AFC (Temporary)

24 May 1945                  Gp Capt T M Horgam, DSO, DFC

16 Jun 1945                     Wg Cdr W L Thomas DFC (Temporary)

 8 Aug 1945                     Gp Capt D P Hanafin DFC, AFC

Wing Commander Flying: -

10 Nov 1944                    Wg Cdr R N Bateson

 5 Jan 1944                       Wg Cdr R W Iredale DFC (Temporary)

13 Feb 1945                     Wg Cdr A W Langton DFC, AFC

No 137 Airfield/Wing

No 2 Group Detachment had been formed at RAF Hartford Bridge on 19 August 1943 with Nos 21 and 88 Squadrons arriving the same day.  No 107 Squadron arrived on 20 August and on 28 August, Hartford Bridge ceased to be a satellite station to RAF Odiham, becoming an RAF station in its own right.

The units at RAF Hartford Bridge were formed into No 137 Airfield on 14 November 1943 in No 2 Group and comprised Nos 88, 107 and 342 Squadrons  and was redesignated No 137 Wing on 12 May 1944, moving to the Continent on 17 October 1944 and disbanded on 30 November 1945.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

14 Nov 1943                    Gp Capt W L M Macdonald

24 Nov 1944                    Gp Capt R L Kippenberger

 4 Jun 1945                       Wg Cdr J Wallace (Temporary)

23 Jun 1945                      Gp Capt R L Kippenberger

27 Jun 1945                      Wg Cdr J Wallace

 8 Oct 1945                      Gp Capt D P Hanafin

It reformed at Wildenrath on 1 April 1953 in No 83 Group to control its local squadrons, comprising No 67 and 71 Squadrons:.  On 5 July 1955 No 67 Squadron departed followed by No 71 two days later but these were replaced by No 88 Squadron on 15 January 1956, which remained its only unit until 3 April 1957 when No 17 Squadron arrived.  By August 1958 it had been transferred to No 2 Group and disbanded on 1 January 1960.

No 138 Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 138 Airfield at Lasham on 10 November 1943 in No 2 Group with Nos 305, 320 and 613 Squadrons and was redesignated No 138 Wing on 12 May 1944.

No 138 (Bomber) Wing was formed at Lasham on 12 May 1944 by redesignating No 138 Airfield in No 2 Group, 2nd TAF, moving to the Continent in November and disbanded on 14 April 1946.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

10 Nov 1943                  Gp Capt L W Cannon (also commanding No 139 Airfield, Dunsfold)

 8 Dec 1943                   Gp Capt L W C Bower

25 Jun 1945                   Wg Cdr J S Hamilton

14 Aug 1945                  Gp Capt R G Slade

xx xxx 1946                    Sqn Ldr Houghton

It reformed at Geilenkirchen on 1 Apr 1953 as No 138 Wing in No 83 Group, 2nd TAF to control its local squadrons with No 3 Squadron arriving on 20 July 1953, No 234 Squadron on 8 January 1954 and No 2 Squadron on 25 October 1955.  No 3 Squadron disbanded on 15 June 1957 followed by No 234 Squadron on 15 July 1957, with No 2 Squadron leaving on 10 October 1957.  Replacement units arrived in the form of No 59 Squadron 25 November 1957  and Nos 96 and 256 Squadrons on 12 February 1958, both coming from No 125 Wing  On 21 January 1959 No 96 Squadron was redesignated No 3 Squadron with No 256 Squadron being redesignated No 11 Squadron and the Wing disbanded 1 January 1960.

It reformed at Marham as No 138 Expeditionary Air Wing (Fighter/Ground Attack) on 1 April 2006 and remains in existence to support expeditionary operation of the Tornado Force.

No 139 Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 139 Airfield at Dunsfold on 17 November 1943 in No 2 Group with Nos 98 and 180 Squadrons and was redesignated No 139 Wing on 12 May 1944.  It moved to the Continent in October 1944, remaining in Germany as part of the BAFO until it disbanded on 31 Oct 1947.   The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

17 Nov 1943                  Gp Capt L W Cannon (also commanding No 138 Airfield, Lasham)

29 Nov 1943                  Gp Capt C R Dunlop

22 Jan 1945                    Gp Capt E L Colbeck-Welch DFC

15 Jun 1945                    Gp Capt T M Horgan DSO, DFC

 2 Oct 1945                    Gp Capt S C Widdows DFC

23 May 1947                  Gp Cap J C MacDonald

Wing Commander Flying: -

15 Nov 1943                    Wg Cdr A D Mitchell

xx May 1945                    Wg Cdr T A Cox

12 Oct 1945                     Wg Cdr P J Halford

18 Oct 1946                     Wg Cdr A W Heward DFC*, AFC

xx xxx 1946                      Wg Cdr R I K Edwards DFC, AFC

It reformed at Wahn on 1 November 1947 in No 83 Group to control its local squadrons, namely Nos 4, 14 and 98, which were joined by No 107 Squadron on 13 November.  On 15 September 1948, No 107 Squadron was redesignated No 11 Squadron and on 17 September 1949 Nos 11 and 98 Squadrons left, followed by Nos 4 and 14 Squadrons two days later.  The Squadrons moved to Celle so the Wing may also have moved there as it possibly didn't disband until 1951?

It reformed at Celle on 1 April 1953 as No 139 (Fighter Bomber) Wing in No 83 Group, 2nd TAF to control its local squadrons, comprising Nos 16. 95 49 and 145.  It was transferred to No 2 Group on 15 October 1956 and disbanded on 1 December 1957.

No 140 Airfield/Wing

It was formed at Sculthorpe as No 140 Airfield on 1 December 1943 in No 2 Group, comprising Nos 21, 464 and 487 Squadrons.   By 1 January 1944 it had moved to Hunsdon then to Gravesend: on 17 April 1944, where it was redesignated No 140 Wing on 12 May 1944.  It moved to the Continent in January 1945 eventually settling at Gutersloh as part of BAFO until it disbanded on 14 November 1947.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

 1 Dec 1943                    Gp Capt P C Pickard (killed in action - 18 Feb 1944)

xx Feb 1944                    Gp Capt P G Wykeham-Barnes

14 Dec 1944                    Gp Capt R N Bateson

xx Mar 1946                    Gp Capt R Faville

Wing Commanders Flying: -

15 Oct 1945                     Wg Cdr J Wallace

xx May 1946                     Wg Cdr M P C Corkery

20 Dec 1946                     Wg Cdr D P Hanafin

28 Aug 1947                     Wg Cdr R I Jones

It reformed at Lossiemouth on 1 April 2006 as No 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (Fighter) to support expeditionary operations by Tornados. It was deployed to Akrotiri in August 2014 to conduct operations against Daesh in Syria but on 14 December 2014 its role was taken over by No 903 EAW.  In 2016 it carried out air defence duties with Typhoons in Estonia.

No 141 Airfield/Wing

It was formed at Church Fenton as No 141 Airfield on 1 January 1944, being placed under the control of No 85 Group on 10 March 1944 and was redesignated No 141 Wing on 12 May 1944, but on 5 October was transferred to ADGB and disbanded into No 136 Wing on 5 November 1944. 

Officers Commanding: -

 7 Jan 1944                    Wg Cdr I E Chalmers-Watson (Temporary)

20 Jan 1944                   Wg Cdr G O Budd

 6 Jul 1944                     Wg Cdr H J L Hallowes

It reformed at Hartfordbridge on 25 November 1944 as No 141 (Fighter Bomber) Wing in No 2 Group, 2nd TAF to control Nos 418 and 615 Squadrons.  It moved to the Continent on 15 March 1945, initially to B.71 Coxyde before going to B.80 Volkel on 28- 29 April 1945, where it disbanded around 31 August 1945.   

Officers Commanding: -

25 Nov 1944                    Wg Cdr H J L Hallowes

xx Sep 1944                     Wg Cdr R Oxspring

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 142 Airfield/Wing

It was formed at Scorton as No 142 Airfield on 1 January 1944, being placed under No 85 Group on 10 March and was redesignated No 142 Wing on 12 May 1944.  After moving to the Continent in August 1944, it moved through France and Belgium, where it remained until it disbanded on 3 August 1945.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

26 Jan 1944                    Wg Cdr I E Chalmers-Watson

 4 Oct 1944                    Wg Cdr N J Starr DFC*

10 Jan 1945                    Wg Cdr D Mawhood

25 Jan 1945                    Wg Cdr J I Kilmartin OBE, DFC (Temporary)

No 143 (RCAF) Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 143 (RCAF) Airfield Headquarters at Ayr on 10 January 1944 in No 83 Group, controlling Nos 438 and 439 Squadrons.  On 18 March it moved to Hurn, to Funtington on 2 April and back to Hurn 20 April, where it came under No 22 Wing the same day but was redesignated No 143 Wing on 12 May 1944.

No 143 (RCAF) (Fighter) Wing was formed at Hurn on 12 May 1944 by redesignating No 143 Airfield in No 22 Sector, No 83 Group, 2nd TAF   After supporting the Allied ground forces through France, Belgium, The Netherland and into Germany it disbanded on 26 August 1945.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

12 Jan 1944                    Wg Cdr F W Hillock

15 Jul 1944                     Gp Capt P Y Davoud

xx Jan 1945                    Gp Capt A D Nesbitt

Wing Commander Flying: -

 1 Jan 1944                     Wg Cdr R Marples

xx Jan 1944                     Wg Cdr R T P Davidson (MIA - 8 May 1944)

xx May 1944                   Wg Cdr M T Judd

14 Oct 1944                    Wg Cdr F G Grant

No 144 (RCAF) Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 144 (RCAF) Airfield Headquarters at Digby on 1 February 1944 in No 22 Wing, No 83 Group to control Nos 441, 442 and 443 Squadrons.  On 14 March it moved to Holmsley South, then to Westhampnett on 1 April 1944, where it was transferred to No 17 Wing on 20 April, moving to Funtington the following day, where it was redesignated No 144 Wing on 12 May 1944, still with Nos 441, 442 and 443 Squadrons but after crossing to the Continent disbanded on 12 Jul 1944, although it was the end of the month before the unit was wound up.  The table below show its various locations

Officers Commanding: -

 4 Mar 1944                    Wg Cdr J E Walker (KOAS 25 Apr 1944)

 1 May 1944                    Wg Cdr A D Nesbitt

21 Jul 1944                      Sqn Ldr Giguere

Wing Commander Flying: -

xx Feb 1944                       Sqn Ldr G U Hill (Acting)

xx Mar 1944                       Wg Cdr J E Johnson

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 145 Airfield/Wing

It was formed as No 145 (French) Airfield Headquarters at Perranporth on 1 February 1944 in No 23 Wing in No 10 Group with Nos 329, 340 and 341 Squadrons but on 12 Apr 1944 was redesignated No 145 Airfield Headquarters following the withdrawal of the majority of the French personnel.  On 14 April it moved to Merston in No 84 Group, where it was transferred to No 19 Wing on 20 April and was redesignated No 145 Wing on 12 May 1944.  After supporting the Allied ground forces through France, Belgium, The Netherlands and into Germany it disbanded on 15 November 1945. 

Officers Commanding: -

21 Feb 1944                   Wg Cdr C E Malfroy

 1 May 1944                   Wg Cdr A C Deere

17 Jul 1944                     Gp Capt A G Malan

13 Nov 1944                  Gp Capt T L B McGuiness

 3 Sep 1945                    Wg Cdr R W F Sampson

 8 Oct 1945                    Cmdt G M F Guizard

Wing Commander Flying: -

xx Feb 1944                  Cmdt B Duperier

15 Feb 1944                 Wg Cdr R Marples (killed in action - 26 Apr 1944)

28 Apr 1944                  Wg Cdr W V Crawford-Crompton

17 Jan 1945                   Wg Cdr R W F Sampson

 3 Sep 1945                   Redundant post

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 146 Airfield/Wing

It was formed at Tangmere as No 146 Airfield on 31 January 1944 in No 23 Wing in No 11 Group, being transferred to No 84 Group on 10 March and on 20 April to No 20 Wing, being redesignated No 146 Wing on 12 May 1944.  After supporting the Allied ground forces through France, Belgium, The Netherlands and into Germany it disbanded on 7 September 1945.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

 7 Feb 1944                    Wg Cdr E W W Elllis

27 Jul 1944                     Gp Capt D E Gillam DSO, DFC, AFC

xx Feb 1945                    Gp Capt J C Wells

Wing Commanders Flying: -

xx Feb 1944                   Wg Cdr D E Gillam

xx Apr 1944                   Wg Cdr E R Baker (killed in action - 16 Jun 1944)

18 Jun 1944                    Wg Cdr J R Baldwin

17 Nov 1944                  Wg Cdr J C Wells

xx Feb 1945                   Wg Cdr J H Deall

No 147 Airfield/Wing

It was formed at Acklington as No 147 Airfield on 16 February 1944 in No 12 Group, being transferred to No 24 (Base) Wing when it formed on 24 February. It took over No 409 Squadron at RAF Acklington, which was later joined by No 322 Squadron from RAF Hawkinge.  On 10 March it was transferred to No 85 Group and was redesignated No 147 Wing on 12 May 1944.  Despite being allocated to No 85 Group, it continued to operate from the UK until March 1945 when it eventually crossed to the Continent, but disbanded on 24 March 1945.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

 1 Mar 1944                    Wg Cdr B Barthold

xx Dec 1944                    ?

No 148 Airfield/Wing

It was formed at Drem as No 148 Airfield on 23 February 1944 in No 24 Wing, Air Defence of Great Britain to control Nos 29 and 486 Squadrons, being transferred to No 85 Group on 10 March and was redesignated No 148 Wing on 12 May 1944.  Moving to the Continent in August 1944 it continued to provide night protection for the Base area but with the end of hostilities it was transferred to No 84 Group on 1 June 1945 and disbanded on 25 August 1945.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

 1 Mar 1944                    Wg Cdr D F B Sheen

30 Dec 1944                    Wg Cdr B Barthold

 7 Mar 1945                    Gp Capt J A Leathart

 2 Jul 1945                       Gp Capt R G Slade

14 Aug 1945                    Wg Cdr E S Smith

Wing Commanders Flying: -

 1 Apr 1944                   Wg Cdr C G Barwell

It reformed at Wahn on 1 April 1953 in No 83 Group to control local units, namely Nos 68 and 87 Squadrons, which were joined by No 17 Squadron on 1 July and at some point No 2 Squadron.  On 25 October 1955 No 2 Squadron, followed by No 17 Squadron on 3 April 1957, No 87 on 2 July 1957 and No 68 on 17 July, following which the Wing disbanded on 1 September 1957.

It had reformed at North Coates as No 148 (Air Defence Missile) Wing by 1 May 1960 in No 11 Group to administer Bloodhound SAM squadrons, namely No 264 Squadron (North Coates), No 141 Squadron (Dunholme Lodge and No 222 Squadron (Woodhall Spa).  On 1 June 1961 it was redesignated No 148 (Surface to Air Missile) Wing, then on 1 February 1963 No 148 (SAM) Servicing Wing, by which time it had move to Church Fenton, where it disbanded on 31 May 1964.

No 149 Airfield/Wing

It was formed at Castle Camps as No 149 Airfield 1 March 1944 in No 25 Wing, No 85 Group, being transferred to the direct control of No 85 Group on 18 March and was redesignated No 149 Wing on 12 May 1944, crossing to the Continent in September, where it was based in France and Holland until it disbanded on 9 June 1945.   The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

 4 Mar 1944                   Wg Cdr Wilkinson

22 Aug 1944                  Wg Cdr Hiltz (OC, No 410 Sqn)

26 Mar 1945                  Gp Capt V R Moon

27 May 1945                  Wg Cdr Watts

Wing Commanders Flying: -

xx xxx xxxx                     Wg Cdr Watts

No 150 Airfield/Wing

It was formed at Bradwell Bay as No 150 Airfield 8 March 1944 in No 25 Wing, No 85 Group and was redesignated No 150 Wing on 12 May 1944, being transferred to No 11 Group on 28 September 1944, exchanging squadrons with No 122 Wing.  On 23 December it was placed under the direct control Fighter Command and disbanded on 8 March 1945. The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

Officers Commanding: -

 8 Mar 1944                    Wg Cdr R F Aitken

Wing Commander Flying: -

xx Apr 1944                     Wg Cdr R P Beamont

28 Sep 1944                    Wg Cdr W W J Loud DFC*

10 Feb 1945                    Lt Col W H Christie DFC

 6 Mar 1945                    Wg Cdr C P Rutland DFC

No 151 Wing

This was formed at Leconfield on 26 July 1941 as No 151 (Fighter) Wing for service with "Force Benedict", which was to operate the Hurricanes of Nos 81 and 134 Squadrons from bases in northern Russia.  It moved to Hendon in August before sailing for Russia, arriving at Archangel on 30 August, moving on to Vaenga on 7 September 1941.  After taking part in a number of operations and also training Russian pilots and ground crew the Wing returned to UK on 16 November leaving the Hurricanes, which were handed over to the Soviet Navy and disbanded on 24 November 1941.

Officers Commanding: -

xx Jul 1941                    Wg Cdr H N G R Isherwood

It reformed at Habbaniya on 8 April 1944 by redesignating No 119 (Transport) Wing as No 151 (Transport) Wing and disbanded into AHQ Iraq on 1 June 1946.

Officers Commanding: -

10 Mar 1944                    Wg Cdr R G Dutton

10 Mar 1944                    Wg Cdr D F Rixson

14 May 1944                    Gp Capt G V Carey

It reformed at North Luffenham as No 151 (Air Defence Missile) Wing on 1 October 1959  to administer Bloodhound surface-to-air missile squadrons, namely No 62 Squadron (Woolfox Lodge), No 257 Squadron (Warboys).  On 1 June 1961 it was redesignated No 151 (Surface to Air Missile) Wing in No 12 Group, still with Nos 62 and 257 Squadrons and on 30 December 1962 was redesignated No 151 (SAM) Servicing Wing, ceasing to function in an operationally capacity.  Support of No 242 Squadron at Marham and No 266 Squadron at Rattlesden, both equipped with Thor intermediate rang ballistic missile was taken over on 31 March 1963 but on 30 June 1964, both the Wing and squadrons ceased being operational and it disbanded on 30 September 1964.

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 152 Wing

This was formed at Predannack on 15 April 1944 as No 152 (General Reconnaissance) Wing in No 19 Group to control operations local areas of the English Channel during the period up to, during and immediately following invasion and disbanded on 7 September 1944.

No 153 Wing

Originally planned to form at Lasham in April 1943 within No 83 Group as No 153 (Bomber) Wing, but the proposal was not proceeded with.

It eventually formed at Portreath on 15 April 1944 as No 153 (General Reconnaissance) Wing  in No 19 Group to control operations local areas of the English Channel during the period up to, during and immediately following invasion and disbanded on 14 September 1944.

No 154 Wing

Originally planned to form at Stoney Cross in April 1943 within No 83 Group as No 154 (Reconnaissance) Wing with Nos 402 and 404 ASP and No 404 RSUs, but the proposal was not proceeded with.

It eventually formed at Strubby on 15 April 1944 as No 154 (General Reconnaissance) Wing in No 16 Group to control operations local areas of the North Sea during the period up to, during and immediately following invasion and disbanded on 7 Sep 1944.

No 155 Wing

This was formed at Manston on 22 April 1944 as No 155 (General Reconnaissance) Wing in No 16 Group to control operations in local areas of the Straits of Dover during the period up to, during and immediately following invasion and disbanded on 19 September 1944.

No 156 Wing

It was formed at Harrowbeer on 22 April 1944 as No 156 (General Reconnaissance) Wing in No 19 Group to control operations local areas of the English Channel by Nos 838 (RN) Squadron during the period up to, during and immediately following invasion and disbanded on 8 August 1944, the HQ was in Knightstone House on the corner of the airfield.

No 157 Wing

This was formed at Hawkinge on 17 May 1944 as No 157 (General Reconnaissance) Wing in No 16 Group to control operations local areas of the English Channel and North Sea by Nos 119, 819 (RN), 854 (RN) and 855 (RN) Squadrons during the period up to, during and after following invasion.  In August 1944 it moved to the Continent, returning to the UK in May 1945 and disbanding on 25 May 1945.  The table below shows the Wing's movements and locations after formation.

No 158 Wing

This may have been planned to form as No 158 (General Reconnaissance) Wing at Perranporth to control Nos 849 and 850 (RN) Squadrons from April to July 1944, but there is no evidence that this actually took place.

No 159 Wing

This was formed at Villiers-le-Sec on 4 September 1944 as No 159 (Barrage Balloon) Wing in No 85 Group to administer all AEAF balloon units on the Continent, initially comprising Nos 974, 976, 980, 991 Squadrons and No 104 Flight.  On 15 November 1944 the Rear Party formed at Cardington for 2nd TAF with Nos 965 and 967 "LZ" Squadrons.  The Wing was placed under No 85 Group on 12 December and disbanded on 31 May 1945.  The tables below show its movements and locations.

No 160 Wing

This was formed at B.152 Fassberg in August 1945 as No 160 (Belgian) (Fighter) Wing in No 84 Group, 2nd TAF  to administer Nos 349 and 350 Squadrons.  On 15 November 1945 it moved to Fassberg, where it came under the control of No 135 Wing until being transferred to the Belgian Air Force on 24 October 1946, moving to Beauvechain the following day, where it was redesignated No 1 Wing, Belgian Air Force on 15 November 1946.

Officers Commanding: -

xx Aug 1945                                    Wg Cdr Le Roi Du Vivier

12 Jun 1946                                    Sqn Ldr Van Lierde (Temporary)

17 Jun 1946                                    Wg Cdr L O Prevot

(2) Reformed 23 Mar 1956 at Hornchurch in No 61 Group, moving to Lyneham in November 1956 and then to Christmas Island in December 1956 for hydrogen bomb tests.  It was redesignated RAF Christmas Island Reinforcement Party on 1 September 1957.

Nos 161 to 163 Wings

These were possibly planned to have been formed in 1942 as No 161 (Light Bomber) Wing, No 162 (Fighter) Wing and No 163 (Army Co-operation) Wing in Burma, but there is no evidence that they ever formed.

No 164 Wing

The nucleus of this Wing formed at Newbold Revel on 4 May 1942 as No 164 (Signals) Wing for service in India, officially 'standing up' at Delhi  on 14 August 1942 in No 226 Group.  Detachments were operated at Abbotabad up to 13 January 1945 and at Jalahalli from March 1945.  The Main HQ joined its detachment at Jalahalli on 26 April but returned to Delhi on 31 May.   A detachment returned to Jalahalli on 8 June 1945 then moved to Ranchi on 31 July 1945.  By July 1945 it controlled Nos 355, 357, 358, 367, 368 and 370 Wireless Units and on 1 August re-formed at Rangoon in No 221 Group under SEAC to monitor the Signals Intelligence service and by 5 October 1945 had been transferred to the control of AHQ Burma, disbanding on 30 April 1946.

No 165 Wing

This was formed at Dum Dum on 1 October 1942 as No 165 (Tactical) Wing in No 224 Group, initially comprising Nos 27, 79 and 136 Squadrons, also No 3 PRU, No 39 ASP and No 60 RSU.  It was transferred to No 221 Group on 1 December then back to No 224 Group on 3 January 1943 and was redesignated RAF Wing HQ Comilla on 1 October 1944. 

 3 May 1944               Sqn Ldr I Bayles

 1 Jun 1944                 Vacant

25 Aug 1944               Sqn Ldr R W R Day

It reformed at Whitehall Gardens, London on 25 July 1958 in No 12 Group, moving to Bentley Priory, Stanmore on 5 August 1959 then back to Whitehall Gardens, London on 6 October, where it was redesignated Tactical Air Reserve Planning Cell on 1 January 1962.

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 166 Wing

This was formed at Jessore on 1 October 1942 as No 166 (Tactical) Wing in No 224 Group as an Offensive Fighter HQ initially comprising Nos 135, 607 and 615 Squadrons as well as No 87 ASP and No 125 RSU and was redesignated RAF Wing HQ Chittagong on 1 October 1944. 

15 Dec 1943              Sqn Ldr A N Johnstone

21 Apr 1944              Sqn Ldr J Rashleigh

It reformed at Anand Parbat, Delhi on 1 August 1945 as No 166 (Signals) Wing in No 227 Group to provide a Signals Intelligence service and disbanded on 31 March 1946.

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 167 Wing

This was formed at Asansol on 1 October 1942 as No 167 (Tactical) Wing in No 221 Group  initially comprising Nos 34, 60 and 113 Squadrons as well as No 91 ASP and No 122 RSU.  On 24 December it was transferred to No 224 Group and was redesignated RAF Wing HQ Cox's Bazar on 1 October 1944.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

No 168 Wing

This was formed at Ondal on 1 November 1942 as No 168 (Tactical) Wing in No 221 Group  comprising Nos 20, 84 and 110 Squadrons as well as No 96 ASP and No 82 RSU and was redesignated RAF Wing HQ Kumbhirgram on 1 October 1944.   The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

No 169 Wing

This was formed at Agartala on 3 October 1942 as No 169 (Tactical) Wing on a mobile basis in No 224 Group (later No 221 Group)  initially comprising Nos 5 and 155 Squadrons as well as No 92 ASP and No 130 RSU, returning to No 224 Group on 27 January 1944 and was redesignated RAF Wing HQ Chiringa on 1 October 1944. 

No 170 Wing

This was formed at Pandaveswar and Salbani on 1 October 1942 as No 170 (Medium Bomber) (Mobile) Wing in No 221 Group initially comprising Nos 99, 159 and 215 Squadrons as well as No 90 ASP and No 123 RSU becoming wholly based at Sabani, with Digri as a satellite, on 15 October and was redesignated RAF Wing HQ Imphal on 1 October 1944.  T

No 171 Wing

This was formed at Ranchi on 25 November 1942 as No 171 (Army Co-operation) Wing in No 221Group initially comprising Nos 20 and 28 Squadrons as well as No 2 Squadron IAF.  On 10 December it was transferred to AHQ Bengal and on 17 March 1943 to No 221 Group, until moving to Yelahanka, when it joined No 225 Group.  On 9 September 1943 it was redesignated No 171 (Reconnaissance) Wing, being transferred to SEAC on 15 November and on moving to Comilla to No 230 Group.  It was redesignated again on 20 December as No 171 (Photographic Reconnaissance) Wing, becoming the nucleus of the PR Force and disbanded into RAF Alipore on 30 September 1944.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

No 172 Wing

This was formed at Bungalow 41, St Thomas Mount on 18 October 1942 as No 172 (Composite) Wing in No 225 Group initially comprising No 82 Squadron as well as No 88 ASP and No 127 RSU and also administered No 240 Flying Boat squadron.  It disbanded on 1 December 1944 being replaced by Base HQ Madras and SHQ St Thomas Mount.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

No 173 Wing

This was formed at Kajamalai (Trichinopoly) on 25 November 1942 as No 172 (Composite, later Naval Co-operation) Wing in No 225 Group, with a detachment at Bombay to control all the units in the  Trichinopoly/Bombay area except for GR squadrons, initially comprising Nos 1, 6 and 8 Squadrons IAF.  Between 3- 19 October 1943 it moved to Charbatia/Cuttack, where it disbanded on 1 March 1945 by being redesignated RAF Cuttack.  The table below shows the units assigned to it.

No 175 Wing

This was formed at Cuttack on 1 October 1942 as No 175 (General Reconnaissance, later Naval Co-operation) Wing in No 221 Group initially comprising Nos 62 and 353 Squadrons as well as No 94 ASP and No 129 RSU.  On 17 January 1944 it was transferred to No 231 Group, being redesignated No 175 (Medium Bomber) Wing on 31 May 1944 and then No 175 (Heavy Bomber) Wing on 31 October 1944, now in No 222 Group.  It disbanded on 30 September 1945 into SHQ RAF Cocos Islands.  The tables below show its various locations and the units assigned to it.

No 176 Wing

This was shown in SD 155s dated 16 Jun 1942 and 16 Jan 1943 as due to be established in India as a GR Wing to be equipped with ASV Wellingtons but was cancelled.

No 177 Wing

This was formed at Risalpur on 1 October 1943 as No 177 (Transport) Wing in No 223 Group with Nos 31, 62. 117 and 194 Squadrons  On 10 January 1944 it moved to  Rawalpindi, then between 21 February and 15 March 1944 to Agartala in No 224 Group, where it was redesignated RAF Wing HQ Agartala on 1 October 1944.

 1 Oct 1943            Gp Capt G F K Donaldson

No 178 Wing

This was shown in SD 155s dated 17 Sep 1942 and 16 Jan 1943, as due to be formed in India to control 3 long-range fighter squadrons but was cancelled.

No 179 Wing

This was formed at Karachi Airport on 9 October 1942 as No 179 (Ferry) Wing to control Nos 21, 22 and 23 Ferry Controls.  On 25 March 1943 it was incorporated into Transport Command, moving to Mauripur between 15- 26 Apr 1943 and disbanded on 30 November 1943 on the formation of No 229 Group.

No 180 Wing

This was formed at Calcutta on 9 Jun 1943 by redesignating No 280 Wing as No 180 (Signals) Wing under AHQ Bengal.  On 22 July 1943 it assumed operational control of various AMES and Wireless Units in No 221 Group in order to provide early warning of enemy aircraft in the Calcutta area   It also controlled No 1581 Flight and on 18 August 1943 was placed under No 293 (Fighter) Wing in No 221 Group.  In March 1945 it moved to Alipore, with a Forward detachment at Akyab from June to November 1945 and disbanded on 30 December 1945.

No 181 Wing

This was formed at Imphal and Masimpur in No 221 Group on 9 June 1943 as No 181 (Signals) Wing under AHQ Bengal to take control of AMES, Wireless Units and Wireless Observer Units in the Surma and Imphal valleys and No 1582 Flight.  On 3 July 1945 it was placed under the direct control of AHQ Burma and disbanded on 10 March 1946. The table below show its various locations.

No 182 Wing

This was formed at Routh Road, Chittagong on 1 August 1943 as No 182 (Signals) Wing under AHQ Bengal  to control AMES and Wireless Observer Units in the No 224 Group area and included No 1583 Flight.  It detached and Advanced HQ to Akyab from between 3- 11 February to 20 May 1945, with the Main HQ later moving to Observation Hill, Chittagong.  On 13 June an Advance Party moved to Sambre with the main party arriving on 18 July, where it was redesignated No 2 Base Signals Repair Unit, Singapore Island on 1 August 1945.

No 183 Wing

This was formed at Ridgeway, Colombo, Ceylon on 26 November 1943 as No 183 (Signals) Wing in No 222 Group, commencing operations on 1 January 1944 controlling all the AMES in the 222 Group and disbanded on 31 December 1945.

No 184 Wing

This was formed at Salbani on 23 July 1943 as No 184 (Heavy Bomber) Wing in No 221 Group.  It moved to Digri on 25 November, being transferred to No 231 Group on 15 December, returning to Salbani on 10 January 1944.  On 1 August 1945 it was transferred to AHQ Burma and finally to No 228 Group on 1 November and was redesignated RAF Salbani on 20 November 1945, with the Advance HQ at Pegu becoming a detachment of SHQ Hmawbi.  The table below shows the units assigned to it.

No 185 Wing

This was formed at Kalaikundah on 23 August 1943 as No 185 (Offensive Fighter) Wing in No 221 Group but on 1 October it was decided to change it to No 185 (Heavy Bomber) Wing, forming as such at Feni in No 224 Group.  Between 14 - 21 November it was transferred to No 221 Group then to No 231 Group on 17 January 1944, moving to Dhubalia between 19- 29 February.  It returned to Digri between 11- 15 April then to Bilaspur on 1 July 1945, where it was redesignated No 185 (Transport) Wing in No 227 Group, being transferred to No 228 Group on 5 August.  Further moves took it to Mingaladon between 16- 24 August, then to  Penang on 5 September, where it disbanded on 17 December 1945, being absorbed into RAF Butterworth.  The table below show the units assigned to it.

No 186 Wing

This was formed at No 62A Free School Street, Calcutta on 30 August 1943 by redesignating the Bengal Maintenance Wing as No 186 (Maintenance) Wing in No 226 Group.  On 15 December it was placed under No 230 Group, moving to Barrackpore on 10 March 1944 and disbanded on 20 July 1944.

No 187 Wing

This was formed at Peshawar on 23 August 1943 by redesignating Maintenance Wing North-West India as No 187 (Maintenance) Wing in No 223 Group to take over the responsibility of all field repair and salvage and equipment supply in NW India and disbanded 15 July 1945.

No 188 Wing

This was to have formed as Southern India Maintenance Wing but instead formed at Bangalore on 1 September 1943 as No 188 (Maintenance) Wing in No 226 Group and was tasked with responsibility for the control of  Repair and Salvage Units and Air Stores Parks in southern India, excluding Ceylon.  It initially comprised Nos 5 and 6 Repair and Salvage Sections and No 88 Equipment Park and following a reorganisation on 21 August 1944 became responsible for the allotment of replacement aircraft, from No 336 MU and also No 355 MU when it was formed, for squadrons in Nos 222, 225 and 227 Groups in Ceylon and Southern India.  In March 1945 it took over the responsibility for additional areas up the east coast of India to the Bay of Bengal and disbanded 15 July 1945, its responsibilities being taken over by No 226 Group.

No 189 Wing

This was formed at Palel on 25 November 1943 as No 189 (Offensive Fighter) Wing in No 221 Group, moving to Imphal on 11 December, back to Palel in January 1944, where it took over administrative control of its units on 7 January.  It moved to Silchar between 9- 14 February, before returning to Palel on 4 September, where it was redesignated RAF HQ Palel on 1 October 1944.  The table below shows the units assigned to it.

xx Oct 1943            Wg Cdr T A F Elsdon

xx xxx 1943             Sqn Ldr Newman (Temp)

20 Dec 1943           Wg Cdr P H M Richey

No 190 Wing

This was formed at Bombay on 22 November 1943 by redesignating RAF Assault Wing as No 190 (Assault) Wing in No 227 Group and disbanded on 31 December 1943.

No 191 Wing

This was due to form at Coconada on 22 November 1943 as No 191 (Assault) Wing in SEAC, but its formation was cancelled.

No 192 Wing

This was due to form at Colombo on 9 June 1942 as No 187 (Maintenance) Wing in No 226 Group but its formation was cancelled.

It was formed at Colombo on 9 August 1944 as No 187 (Maintenance) Wing in No 222 Group to undertake 2nd line maintenance of aircraft, MT and marine craft, disbanding on 12 February 1945.

This page was last updated on 30/04/22

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