Norwegians in the RAF

[King Cobra]

Dear Stein, many thanks for your response to my query about Norwegians on 85 Sqn during WW2. I am writing an article for the 85 Sqn association magazine and although I have some information on the individuals during the war I'm tryin to find more about their later lives. Tarald Weisteen is still a member of our association but he's now over 90 years old and communication is difficult.

Once again thanks for your help.

Kind Regards

Ed Durham (King Cobra)

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Stein,
Any particular reason for the large number of Norwegians at this squadron? A special connection?

For comparison I have found that apart from the number of Danes in the Norwegian squadrons during the war, No. 234 Squadron was the squadron that had the largest number of Danes attached to it during the war.

Regards

Mikkel Plannthin

[Stein Meum]

I have no idea as to why there were so many Norwegians on 85 Sqn. Could be that night fighting was regarded as very "high tech" and that the Norwegian H.Q. regarded it as desirable to gain experience with this technology which could come in very handy with the generally poor weather conditions prevalent in Norway.
Many of the 85 Sqn Norwegians had previously served with 604 Sqn on Beaufighters.
Stein

[King Cobra]

Gentlemen, John Cunningham was the Sqn Cdr of 85 Sqn when most of the Norwegians were posted in. He was also a Flt Cdr on 604 when there were several Norwegians on that sqn. This could be the link.

KC

[King Cobra]

John Cunningham was in fact the Sqn Cdr of 604 Sqn (Beaufighters) which had several Norwegian aircrew. He had a great admiration for them and when he became the Cdr of 85 Sqn he specifically sought out his old Norwegian crews who were completing their rest tours (Jimmy Rawnsley in his book "Night Fighter")

Ed Durham (King Cobra)