3rd Polish Fighter Wing
Encyclopedia
3rd Polish Fighter Wing was a mainly Polish formation that flew, Supermarine Spitfire
s of the Royal Air Force
during the Second World War. It was part of the Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain
.
It was formed in June 1943, as the 2nd Polish Fighter Wing, from two Polish squadrons, the No. 302 Squadron RAF and No. 317 Squadron RAF. In September it was merged into the 1st Polish Fighter Wing (which was soon thereafter renamed the 131 Wing). It was reorganized in February 1944.
Its composition would not be stable, as the Polish Squadrons were frequently exchanged between three Polish wings (the No. 131 Wing RAF (1st Polish) wing, the No. 133 Wing RAF (2nd Polish) wing, and the 3rd Polish Fighter Wing).
At various times, this wing sported the other Polish squadrons, such as the No. 303 Squadron RAF and No. 316 Squadron RAF. The number of wings was also not constant, as it varied from at one to two.
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
s of the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
during the Second World War. It was part of the Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain
Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain
The Polish Air Forces was a name of Polish Air Forces formed in France and the United Kingdom during World War II. The core of the Polish air units fighting alongside the allies were experienced veterans of Invasion of Poland of 1939 and they contributed to Allied victory in the Battle of Britain...
.
It was formed in June 1943, as the 2nd Polish Fighter Wing, from two Polish squadrons, the No. 302 Squadron RAF and No. 317 Squadron RAF. In September it was merged into the 1st Polish Fighter Wing (which was soon thereafter renamed the 131 Wing). It was reorganized in February 1944.
Its composition would not be stable, as the Polish Squadrons were frequently exchanged between three Polish wings (the No. 131 Wing RAF (1st Polish) wing, the No. 133 Wing RAF (2nd Polish) wing, and the 3rd Polish Fighter Wing).
At various times, this wing sported the other Polish squadrons, such as the No. 303 Squadron RAF and No. 316 Squadron RAF. The number of wings was also not constant, as it varied from at one to two.