No. 145 Wing RAF

No. 145 Wing RAF
Unit name	No. 145 Wing RAF
Dates	1944–1945
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Role	Fighter/ground-attack wing
Command structure	Royal Air Force Second Tactical Air Force
Notable commanders	Wing Commanders Rees, Wreford-Brown

No. 145 Wing RAF was a Royal Air Force formation active during 1944–1945 that operated as part of the Royal Air Force Second Tactical Air Force in the European Theatre of World War II. The wing participated in the Allied air campaign supporting the Normandy landings, the Battle of Normandy, and the subsequent advance through France, Belgium, and Germany. It coordinated fighter and fighter-bomber operations in close cooperation with formations such as No. 84 Group RAF, No. 2 Group RAF, and elements of the Royal Canadian Air Force and United States Army Air Forces.

Formation and Early History

No. 145 Wing RAF was formed in 1944 under the auspices of Air Vice-Marshal command within RAF Second Tactical Air Force as part of the reorganization following the Allied invasion of Normandy. Its establishment drew on squadrons transferred from RAF Fighter Command, including units previously engaged in operations over the English Channel, the Western Front (World War II), and the Battle of Britain veterans reassigned after the Dieppe Raid. Early formation involved coordination with staff from No. 11 Group RAF and liaison officers from the Royal Navy for cross-domain operations during preparations for Operation Overlord.

World War II Operations

During the Battle of Normandy, the wing flew interdiction, escort, and close air support missions in coordination with ground formations such as the British Second Army and the First Canadian Army. It participated in operations supporting the breakout at Operation Cobra and engaged targets in the Falaise Pocket while coordinating with RAF Bomber Command and tactical reconnaissance units from No. 34 Squadron RAF. Later operations saw the wing advance with the 21st Army Group through the Low Countries during the Liberation of Belgium and the Battle of the Scheldt, supporting amphibious and riverine operations alongside units from the Royal Netherlands Army and Polish Armed Forces in the West. In the final months of the war the wing contributed to air superiority and interdiction missions during the Rhine crossings and the Crossing of the Rhine (Operation Plunder), interacting operationally with the United States Ninth Air Force and elements of the Soviet Armed Forces in the closing campaigns.

Aircraft and Equipment

The wing operated fighter and fighter-bomber types including the Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire IX, and the Hawker Typhoon, alongside fighter-bombers such as the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt supplied to allied squadrons. For reconnaissance and artillery-spotting missions the wing coordinated with units flying the North American P-51 Mustang and light reconnaissance types like the de Havilland Mosquito. Ordnance employed included 500 lb general-purpose bombs, RP-3 rockets, and various machine gun and cannon armaments standardized across RAF Second Tactical Air Force formations, while maintenance and ground support were organized under the technical branches formerly associated with No. 85 (Base) Group RAF.

Commanders and Personnel

Command was exercised by senior RAF officers experienced in tactical air operations, with notable leadership drawn from officers who had served in theaters including the North African Campaign and the Italian Campaign. Wing staff included squadron commanders from squadrons such as No. 3 Squadron RAF, No. 56 Squadron RAF, and No. 486 Squadron RNZAF, with flight commanders who had previously served under leaders tied to the Fighter Command legacy. Pilots and ground crew included personnel decorated with awards like the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Service Order, and worked in concert with allied aircrew from the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Royal Canadian Air Force.

Bases and Deployments

The wing operated from advanced landing grounds established in France and later from forward bases in Belgium and Germany as the front lines moved eastward. Early bases were sited near the Normandy coast and included temporary airstrips used during Operation Overlord before relocation to captured aerodromes in the Pas-de-Calais region and the Netherlands. Logistics and redeployment involved coordination with engineering units such as the Royal Engineers and airfield construction groups modeled on lessons from the Battle of Britain airfield dispersal and the Advance Airfield construction programs of 1944.

Postwar Status and Disbandment

Following the German surrender in May 1945 and the subsequent drawdown of RAF tactical formations, the wing underwent reorganization and reduction in strength as part of the postwar demobilization overseen by senior staff associated with the Air Ministry. Squadrons were disbanded or transferred back to the United Kingdom, to occupation duty under British Air Forces of Occupation, or to national air forces including the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force. No. 145 Wing RAF was formally disbanded during the postwar period as the Royal Air Force transitioned from wartime operations to peacetime commitments and Cold War restructuring.

Category:Royal Air Force wings