Where were these Squadrons?

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by AJBonny, Sep 4, 2020.

  1. AJBonny

    AJBonny Member

    Hi everyone. My father was in RAF 10 W Squadron, 5202 P Squadron in early 1943, and 413 R & S Unit in February 1944. Can anyone tell me where these units were, I believe they were somewhere in France or Germany.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    Puzzled - on those dates no RAF squadrons could be in France or Germany - over perhaps but not in!
     
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  3. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    Last edited: Sep 4, 2020
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  4. AJBonny

    AJBonny Member

    Ok, thanks for that Ross. I was only going by the Form 543a history, indicating he returned from the continent after being in the 413 R & S Unit, although the link you have supplied, does say it went to France and Germany. He went to that unit on 12/2/44.
     
  5. Ewen Scott

    Ewen Scott Well-Known Member

    413 (Polish) Repair & Salvage Unit
    Formed 15/11/43 in 84 Group at Odiham. 3/1/44 Southend.
    18/2/44 Aircraft Repair Flight to No.84 Ground Support Unit.
    15/3/44 Thorney Island for No.136 Airfield, 19/6/44 Needs Oar Point, 21/7/44 Thorney Island.
    31/7/44 B.16 Villons-Les-Buissons,10/8/44 B.7 Martragny, 9/44 Melville, 7/10/44 B.70 Antwerp/Duerne, 29/11/44 B.77 Gilbert-Rijen, 16/4/45 B.105 Drope, by 10/7/45 Hildesheim.
    Disbanded 15/9/45.
    Aircraft handled Typhoon & Auster.

    From Flying Training and Support Units since 1912.

    I can’t find a reference to any unit with 5202 in its title. Given the connection above, could the 5202 P squadron also have a Polish connection?

    I notice that further up there are refs to “10 Wks Sqdn” as well as “10 W Sqdn”. Probably the same thing? Different shorthand by different people? Could “W” or “Wks” refer to “Works” in this context? That suggests a non-flying unit.
     
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  6. Ewen Scott

    Ewen Scott Well-Known Member

    OK lightbulb moment!

    I think that both 10 W squadron and 5202 P squadrons may be references to units of the RAF Airfield Construction Service, the organisation created by the RAF to construct airfields across the world, but especially as part of the follow up to amphibious landings.

    Initially these units were titled as “Works squadrons” but in June 1943 they became “Airfield Construction Squadrons” with 50 being added as a prefix to each squadron designation. Then as the organisation expanded and heavy plant was added (bulldozers graders etc) separate “Plant Squadrons” were added in the same number sequence. 5202 was such a “Plant Squadron” maybe explaining the “P”.

    No.5202 Plant Squadron was formed at Quy Park, Stow-cum-Quy in early 1943. It was composed of 5752 M&E Construction Flight and 4854 Quarrying Flight, eventually becoming part of 5352 Airfield Construction Wing.
     
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  7. ted angus

    ted angus Senior Member

    I can add a bit more 907 Sqn was a Barrage Balloon Sqn at Cardington, the J OLDING HATFIELD 11 - 2 -44 Jack Olding was a company involved with the the sale and operation of plant bulldozers etc , He ran a training school for the RAF Airfield Construction Branch (ACB)during a period of rapid expansion of the ACB when the RAF was forming a second RAF school ; 76 MTLRU was No 76 Mechanical Transport Light Repair Unit - a mobile vehicle recovery & repair unit, each group had at least one. I hazard a guess your father was possibly a Driver or MT mechanic ?? TED.
     
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  8. AJBonny

    AJBonny Member

    I can’t thank you enough. I just know my father was given the F & G Star, meaning he spent time in NW Europe. Your effort has confirmed these details. Thanks so much
     
  9. AJBonny

    AJBonny Member

    Hi Ted, spot on, he was a DMT, Driver Mechanical Transport. I was aware the 970 Squadron was a Barrage Squadron, but I believed they went to Barrow in Furness, Cumbria. Well done for knowing about J Olding, he did a Plant Operators Course in May 1942 there. Some other WW2Talk members gave me info on the 76 MTLRU. Thank you for your valuable info.
     

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