Werner Christie & Mustang

[ragnarec]

Hi,

According to my references, the Norwegian pilot Werner Christie flew Mustang in 234 Sqn, then 150 Wing and finally Hunsdon Wing. I've found a lot of information about 234 Sqn and the Hunsdon Wing (first 611 + 154 Sqn, then 611 + 442 (RCAF) Sqn), but next to nothing about "150 Wing".


When was Christie Wing Commander for 150 Wing, and which squadrons did the wing consist of? The only "150 Wing" I've found while searching the net consisted of 3, 56 and 486 (NZ) Sqn, operating mainly Tempest from the summer of 1944. But Christie didn't fly Tempest, did he?? Regards,
Ragnar E.

[Fairlop]

Hi Ragnar,

You´re absolutely right about Hunsdon Wing and its Squadrons.
The 150 Wing was formed at Bradwell Bay on 8th March 1944, became a Fighter Wing on 12th May 1944 and was disbanded on 8th March 1945. It consisted of the No.3, No.56 and No.486 Sqn. It moved to B-60 on the Continent on 28/9/44. The number of the Wing was changed for 122. I don´t know exactly when. I think the 150 continued with other Squadrons in home station(s).
Christie became Wing Leader of 150 Mustang Wing at Andrews Field in February 1945. There were five Squadrons there then. The 19, 122, 306, 315 and 316. I believe Poles had own wing so first two English Squadrons are candidates they were in the 150 Wing till the 8th March.

Regards,
Michal

[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

[Fairlop]

Hi Allan,

Many thanks for confirmation. What´s your source for the 122 Wing’s history, book or ORBs ?

Regards,
Michal

[Franek Grabowski]

Polish Squadrons 306, 309 (replacing 129) and 315 formed 133 Wg. 316 Sqn was in 150 Wg, so mystery solved.
I have got somewhere a photo of a sign showing directions to HQs of both 133 and 150.

[SteveB]

Dear All

Just a little bit to add I think.

One of the key issues in this story is that essentially the two Wings swapped sqdns at the end of September 1944. So the staff of 150Wing were very unhappy about having to stay in the UK when their Tempest sqdns flew off to B60 Grimbergen and 19, 65 and 122Sqdns were very unhappy about returning to UK when the 122 Wing HQ staff remained at Grimbergen. As Allan has implied it was made very clear to the Tempest sqdns that they had a hard act to follow.

150 Wing moved from Matlaske to Andrews Field on 14 October and as Franek has pointed out they operated from there with 133 (Polish) Wing. So initially there were six Mustang sqdns at Andrews Field and by January 1945 there were six Mustang sqdns at Bentwaters.

On 16 January 1945 65Sqdn moved to Peterhead leaving 19 and 122Sqdn in 150 Wing and, after Christie took over from Bill Loud on 10 February, 19Sqdn also moved up to Peterhead on 13/14 February leaving just 122Sqdn comprising 150Wing. 150Wing were due to celebrate their first anniversary on 8 March 1945 but on that day they were disbanded with immediate effect and Christie was transferred to take over the Hunsdon Wing (with 154 and 611Sqdns). I have seen nothing that suggests that Christie led 122Sqdn and the Polish Sqdns. It seems to have been the case that during that period of 3/4 weeks on the escort missions to RAF daylight bombing missions 150Wing (ie 122Sqdn) provided top cover escort to 133 Wing sqdns which flew close escort.

Steve

[Fairlop]

Den dobry Franek,

Yes, I forgot about your ex army co-operation Sqn stationed at Andrews Field from 12/12/44 to 10/8/45.
BTW I´ll send you within a few days finished article with profiles about Atypical codes.

Cheers,
Michal

[Franek Grabowski]

Steve
No doubt that 316 was in a British Wing and I recall a Christie connection. I will try to check the number in my papers.

[Allan125]

Originally Posted by Fairlop

Hi Allan,

Many thanks for confirmation. What´s your source for the 122 Wing’s history, book or ORBs ?

Regards,
Michal

Hello Michal

Post-war 122 Wing published two official histories - one "A short account of the operational life of 122 Wing, 83 Group" published at Flensburg on 7 Sept 1945 and "The history of 122 Wing, 83 Group, Second Tactical Air Force" published at Schleswig in November 1945, under the inside title it states: "A short account of the operational career of 122 Wing was published at Flensburg in September 1945. The booklet aroused so much interest among all ranks of the Wing, for whom it was intended, that this second, more detailed, edition has been prepared."

When 125 Wing disbanded, on 14 July 1945, Dad was transferred to 122 Wing (giving him a second tour to B.160 Kastrup/Copenhagen!!) and he stayed with them until they were disbanded,(hence he was issued with both booklets) before moving to Sylt as part of BAFO.

They were both published by J H Schultz A/S Universitets-Bogtrykkeri Kobenhavn - and I believe that this company is still in existence.

As far as I can ascertain, from official sources, no official history of 125 Wing has ever been published - hence my family project to do it, and I probably have more information about 125 Wing and its squadrons than anyone else - and several of the squadrons served in both 122 and 125 Wing.

Also, as far as I can ascertain, 125 Wing is the only 2TAF Wing to operate Hurricane IV's, Tempest V's, Typhoon 1b's and several marks of Spitfires during it's just over 2 years of operation. (But I am open to discussion if anyone can offer other Wings doing the same, or better.) And I still keep a watching brief about 122 Wing and assist where possible.

cheers

Allan

[SteveB]

Hi Franek

I would be interested to have confirmation of 316Sqdn being in a "British Wing".

As I have it 133 Wing (306, 315 and 129) moved to Andrews Field on 10 October 1944. Soon after on 24 October 315Sqdn moved out via Coltishall to Peterhead and was replaced at AF by 316Sqdn. On 11 December 129Sqdn was transferred to Bentwaters 'B' Wing and was replaced at AF by 309Sqdn to create a fully Polish Wing (306, 309 and 316). When 315Sqdn returned from Peterhead on 16 January 1945 there would have been four Polish sqdns at Andrews Field are you suggesting that 316Sqdn was perhaps transferred to 150Wing at that time to replace 65Sqdn?

Cheers

Steve