Werner Christie & Mustang

[Allan125]

By the 9th September the 3 Mustang III Squadrons of 122 Wing were based at B.60 Grimbergen, Belgium, continuing the armed reconnaissance's. This, however, turned out to be a very black day. Two Mustangs were shot down south of Apeldoorn, Flight Sergeant Abbott being killed when shot down, but Warrant Officer Bell was captured by Dutch collaborators, handed over to the SS and executed. On the 17th, the Squadron patrolled the Arnhem area to cover the great Allied Airborne landings.

It continued operating in Europe until, on 28 September 1944; the three Mustang Squadrons (19, 65 and 122) left 2nd TAF and returned to the UK.

122 Wing’s history stating:


“End of an Epoch


On 28th September the three Mustang Squadrons returned to England, amidst general lamentations, to carry out escort duties to day-raiding Lancasters. 122 Squadron had been with the Wing since May 1943, 19 and 65 just three months less. In that time they had become an integral part of 122, and had achieved some magnificent results.

Since D-Day alone the three Squadrons had destroyed 93 enemy aircraft, probably destroyed 5, and damaged 66. Their transport claims totalled 1185, locomotives 132, and barges 272, while with their bombs they had accounted for innumerable assorted targets.”


They were replaced by the Tempests V’s of 3, 56 and 486 Squadrons that had previously been 150 Wing, and returned to East Anglia to recommence bomber escort duties, with the occasional fighter sweep under the leadership of W/C William Loud DFC, DSO*, a former member of both 602 (City of Glasgow) and 19 Squadrons.


They became the new 150 Wing - and the 150 Wing squadrons became the air component of 122 Wing - joined in early October by 80 and 274 Squadrons of Tempest V's that had been operating with 125 Wing.

As I understand it Werner Christie replaced "Bill" Loud as WingCo Flying 150 Wing in February 1945.

Hope this background information helps?

cheers

Allan