No. 133 Wing RAF
No. 133 (Polish) Wing RAF | |
---|---|
Country | United Kingdom |
Allegiance | Polish Government in exile |
Branch | Royal Air Force |
Size | Wing |
2nd Polish Fighter Wing (later, No. 133 (Polish) Wing) (Polish: 2 (133) Polskie Skrzydło Myśliwskie) was a mainly Polish formation that flew Supermarine Spitfires of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. It was part of the Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain.
It was formed in August 1941, as the 2nd Polish Fighter Wing, from three Polish squadrons, the No. 302 Squadron RAF and No. 316 Squadron RAF, and the No. 317 Squadron RAF. Its composition would not be stable, as the 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 sported the other Polish squadrons, such as the No. 306 Squadron RAF, No. 309 Squadron RAF and the No. 315 Squadron RAF. The number of wings was also not constant, as it varied 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).