No. 131 Wing RAF
Encyclopedia
1st Polish Fighter Wing (later, No. 131 (Polish) 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 March-April 1941, as the 1st Polish Fighter Wing, from two Polish squadrons, the No. 302 Squadron RAF and No. 303 Squadron RAF, and the British No. 601 Squadron RAF
. Soon afterwards, in May, the British 601 Squadron was replaced by another Polish unit, the No. 308 Squadron RAF. The new composition would not be stable, as the Polish Squadrons were frequently exchanged between the three Polish wings (the No. 131 (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. 315 Squadron RAF, No. 316 Squadron RAF and the No. 317 Squadron RAF. The number of wings was also not constant, as it varied from at least three to five.
On October 4 1943 the unit was renamed to No. 131 Wing. On 12 July 1944 the unit regained the Polish adjective in its name, becoming the No. 131 Polish Wing .
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 March-April 1941, as the 1st Polish Fighter Wing, from two Polish squadrons, the No. 302 Squadron RAF and No. 303 Squadron RAF, and the British No. 601 Squadron RAF
No. 601 Squadron RAF
No. 601 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, based in London. The squadron battle honours most notably include the Battle of Britain and the first Americans to fly in World War II were members of this squadron.-History:...
. Soon afterwards, in May, the British 601 Squadron was replaced by another Polish unit, the No. 308 Squadron RAF. The new composition would not be stable, as the Polish Squadrons were frequently exchanged between the three Polish wings (the No. 131 (1st Polish) wing, the No. 133 Wing RAF (2nd Polish) wing, and the 3rd Polish Fighter Wing
3rd Polish Fighter Wing
3rd Polish Fighter Wing was a mainly Polish formation that flew, Supermarine Spitfires of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. It was part of the Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain....
). At various times, this wing sported the other Polish squadrons, such as the No. 315 Squadron RAF, No. 316 Squadron RAF and the No. 317 Squadron RAF. The number of wings was also not constant, as it varied from at least three to five.
On October 4 1943 the unit was renamed to No. 131 Wing. On 12 July 1944 the unit regained the Polish adjective in its name, becoming the No. 131 Polish Wing .