No. 133 Wing RAF
2nd Polish Fighter Wing (later, No. 133 (Polish) Wing) (Polish: 2 (133) Polskie Skrzydło Myśliwskie) was a mainly Polish formation of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, that flew Supermarine Spitfires. It was part of the Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain.
No. 133 (Polish) Wing RAF | |
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Country | United Kingdom |
Allegiance | Polish Government in exile |
Branch | Royal Air Force |
Size | Wing |
It was formed in August 1941, as the 2nd Polish Fighter Wing, from three Polish squadrons, the No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron and No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron, and the No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron. Its composition was not be stable, as Polish Squadrons were frequently exchanged between the three Polish wings (the No. 131 Wing RAF (1st Polish) wing, the No. 133 Wing (2nd Polish) wing, and the 3rd Polish Fighter Wing). At various times, this wing included other Polish squadrons, such as the No. 306 Polish Fighter Squadron, No. 309 Polish Fighter-Reconnaissance Squadron and the No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron. The number of Polish wings was also not constant, varying from at least two to four.
On 4 October 1943, the unit was renamed to No. 133 Wing(Polish: 133 Skrzydło Myśliwskie). In February the unit regained the Polish adjective in its name, becoming the No. 133 Polish Wing (Polish: 131 Polskie Skrzydło).