Non-Commonwealth Wg Cdr Flying
 

Hi,

There were a few of Wg Cdr Flying men in Fighter Command, ADGB or 2nd TAF from Non-Commonwealth countries during WWII, who led British Wing. I have these in my files:

Frenchman W/C Dupérier DFC, Biggin Hill Wing 09/43 – 01/44
Norwegian W/C Haabjoern DFC, 124 Wing 01/44 – 08/44
Belgian W/C Donnet DFC, Hawkinge Wing 10/44 – 02/45 & Bentwaters Wing 02/45 – 05/45
Norwegian W/C Christie DFC, Hunsdon Wing, 03/45 – 04/45

Does anyone add someone or is the list complete, please ?

Regards,
Michal

Re: Non-Commonwealth Wg Cdr Flying
 

Norwegian (actually Dane) W/Cdr Kaj Birksted - W/Cdr Flying Bentwaters Wing from 16.03.1945, the date on which he left this position is unknown to me, but this was after VE Day

Re: Non-Commonwealth Wg Cdr Flying
 

Hi Andrei,

Thanks for this name. According to Aces High Kaj Birksted was at the head of Bentwaters Wing but probably as CO, and Mike Donnet as WC Flying according to his biography.

Regards,
Michal

Re: Non-Commonwealth Wg Cdr Flying
 

I can confirm that Kaj Birksted was W/C Flying

1) in the 132 (Norwegian) Wing from to 1 August 1943 to 11 March 1944 and

2) in the Bentwaters Wing from 16 March 1945.

In between he was Operational Planner in the 11 Group Combined Control Center, Uxbridge.

http://www.danishww2pilots.dk/profil...?alpha=b&id=15

He was decorated during and after the war with OBE, DFC, DSO, War Cross with Two Swords (N), Commander with Star of the St. Olav Order (N), War Medal (N), King Haakon 70-years memorial medal (N), Knight of the Order of Dannebrog (DK)

Regards

Mikkel

Re: Non-Commonwealth Wg Cdr Flying
 

Michal

My info came from Osprey title RAF Mustang and Thunderbolt Aces by Andrew Thomas

According to this book W/Cdr Donnet was wing leader of the Bentwaters Wing

Re: Non-Commonwealth Wg Cdr Flying
 

W/C Christie was also Wingco Flying 150 Wing at Andrewsfield before going to Hunsdon.
The Bentwaters Wing was divided into "A" and "B" Wings, and Donnet and Birksted were both Wingco Flying in their respective Wings.
There were several Norwegins that were Wingco Flying in the North Weald- and 132 (Norwegian) Wings.

Stein

Re: Non-Commonwealth Wg Cdr Flying
 

Stein
Thank you for clarifying. Do you know if Birksted was W/C of the A or the B Wing of Bentwaters Wing.

Mikkel

Re: Non-Commonwealth Wg Cdr Flying
 

Hi all,

Thanks a lot for your comments.
BTW http://www.revi.cz/images/covers/60/...aterswingu.jpg shows several of Bentwaters leaders in one of my Revi articles.

Stein, a very contributory explanation. How was your Kew visit ?

For Polish friends - no one of your fighters led British Wing in ETO ?

Regards,
Michal

Re: Non-Commonwealth Wg Cdr Flying
 

They were busy leading the three Polish wings...
To my knowledge the only Polish W/Cdr Flying in a non-Polish wing was W/Cdr Jan Zumbach (half-Swiss, anyway) who led 135 Wing for a couple of weeks in July 1944. The wing was part of 18 (Polish) Sector at the time, so I'm not sure if it counts as a a non-Polish one.

Re: Non-Commonwealth Wg Cdr Flying
 

Dzien dobry, Wojtek,

Thank you. I thought that your officers were in the same state like CZ men, so led own Wing(s).

Regards,
Michal