No. 2 Wing RAF Regiment

No. 2 Wing RAF Regiment
Unit name	No. 2 Wing RAF Regiment
Dates	1942 – 1946
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	RAF Regiment Wing
Role	Ground Defence
Battles	Second World War

No. 2 Wing RAF Regiment was a ground defence formation of the Royal Air Force's RAF Regiment during the Second World War. Established in 1942, it was primarily tasked with protecting RAF airfields and vital installations from ground attack, particularly by enemy airborne forces. The wing saw service in several key theatres of the war, operating under the umbrella of the RAF Second Tactical Air Force and later the British Air Forces of Occupation.

History

No. 2 Wing was formed on 1 October 1942 at RAF Belton Park in Lincolnshire, as part of the rapid expansion of the newly created RAF Regiment. Its initial role was to provide concentrated, mobile ground defence for forward airfields as the Allies prepared for the invasion of Normandy. The wing moved to RAF Snettisham for intensive training before deploying to the European Theatre. Following the D-Day landings, it deployed to the Continent to secure advanced landing grounds for squadrons of the RAF Second Tactical Air Force, such as those supporting the Battle of Normandy and the subsequent advance. After VE Day, the wing formed part of the British Air Forces of Occupation in Germany, before being disbanded on 31 March 1946.

Structure and Organisation

The wing was a flexible headquarters unit designed to command and coordinate several subordinate RAF Regiment squadrons. Its structure typically included a Wing Headquarters and a variable number of field squadrons and light anti-aircraft squadrons. These squadrons were equipped and trained for infantry-style combat and air defence, respectively. The wing could be tailored for specific missions, attaching specialist units like engineering sections for airfield repair or signals detachments for communication. It operated under the operational control of the RAF Second TAF and later the British Air Forces of Occupation, while administration and logistics were managed through RAF Regiment channels.

Aircraft and Equipment

As a ground combat unit, the wing did not operate aircraft. Its equipment was that of a light infantry and air defence force. The primary armament for its field squadrons included the Lee–Enfield rifle, Bren light machine gun, and Sten submachine gun. For heavier support, units utilized Vickers machine guns and 3-inch mortars. The light anti-aircraft squadrons were equipped with 20mm Oerlikon cannons and later the 40mm Bofors gun to defend against low-flying attacks by the Luftwaffe. Transport was provided by a mix of Bren Gun Carriers, Jeeps, and larger lorries for mobility across captured airfields.

Operations and Deployments

The wing's first major deployment was to Continental Europe in the summer of 1944, following the D-Day landings. Its squadrons were deployed to secure and defend forward airfields in Normandy and later in Belgium and the Netherlands, enabling RAF Second TAF fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons to operate effectively. During the Battle of the Bulge, units were placed on high alert against potential German airborne or ground assaults on Allied airbases. After the Western Allied invasion of Germany, the wing moved into occupied Germany, where it was responsible for guarding key installations, supervising Disarmed Enemy Forces, and maintaining security as part of the British Air Forces of Occupation until its disbandment.

Commanding Officers

The wing was led by a Wing Commander of the RAF Regiment. Notable commanding officers included Wing Commander J. H. Harris, who commanded during its formative training period and initial deployment. He was succeeded by Wing Commander A. D. G. Oldman, who led the wing through much of its operational service in North-West Europe and into the occupation period in Germany.

Bases

Throughout its existence, the wing was based at several locations. It formed at RAF Belton Park before moving to RAF Snettisham for training. Its primary operational bases were temporary airfields and camps in North-West Europe following the invasion of Normandy. After the war, it was based at various locations within the British occupation zone in Germany, including airfields around Bad Eilsen and Wunstorf, which served as major hubs for the British Air Forces of Occupation.

Category:Royal Air Force wings Category:RAF Regiment Category:Military units and formations established in 1942 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946