This is a list of Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, Naval Air Wings. A Wing designation consisted a number to differentiate each one and a simple label for the role of the wing. Each wing was formed of a small number of Naval Air Squadrons and were mostly either a fighter wing or a torpedo, bomber and reconnaissance wing, and there included a proposed MAC ship (Merchant Aircraft Carrier) wing.[1]

The Fleet Air Arm squadrons, embarked on the Fleet and Light Fleet aircraft carriers, were grouped into explicit Wings from June 1943. Due to the existing Royal Air Force Wings having the same number designation, each Fleet Air Arm Wing contained the word Naval in its title. The Wings were each allocated a unique number and the name of each wing also contained the designated wings role. There were two significant roles with each wing being either a Fighter wing or a Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance wing, with the latter known as a TBR wing.[2]

From 25 October 1943 some of the Naval Air Wings started to form. Of the Naval Air Wings which the Fleet Air Arm planned to form up, these were never all realised.[2] Those Naval Air Wings which were serving within the British Pacific Fleet were placed into new Carrier Air Groups, effectively disbanding them, to align with US Navy policy, this once the Second World War in Europe had ended, to support Allied operations in the Pacific War against the Japanese in 1945.[3]

The remaining Wings were disbanded over the months following, this usually occurred when the aircraft carrier they were embarked on returned to a home port.[2]

List of initial wings

The table below covers the initial eighteen wings that were formed from 1943 onwards. It doesn't include the 18th Naval MAC-Ship wing nor the proposed 31st TBR Wing.[2]

WingFormed atFormed onDisbanded atDisbanded onNotes
2nd Naval TBR WingUnknown24 January 1944UnknownUnknownRenamed No. 2 Strike Wing on 10 December 1944[4]
3rd Naval Fighter WingRNAS Burscough25 October 1944Unknown9 December 1945[4]
4th Naval Fighter WingRNAS Burscough25 October 1943RAF Nutts Corner25 January 1946[4]
5th Naval Fighter WingRNAS EglintonDecember 1943Unknown30 November 1945[4]
6th Naval Fighter WingRNAS BurscoughFebruary 1944Unknown30 June 1945[4]
7th Naval Fighter WingRNAS Eglinton30 October 1943Unknown16 December 1944[5]
8th Naval TBR WingUnknown25 October 1943Unknown3 October 1944[5]
9th Naval TBR WingUnknown11 February 1944Unknown23 October 1944[5]
10th Naval Fighter WingRNAS Eglinton14 October 1944Unknown30 June 1945[5]
11th Naval TBR WingUlunderpet/Ulundurpet?, India21 April 1944Unknown6 July 1944[5]
12th Naval TBR WingUnknown24 January 1944Unknown28 December 1944[5]
15th Naval Fighter WingRNAS Stretton8 November 1943UK28 July 1945[5]
21st Naval TBR WingRNAS Machrihanish25 October 1943Unknown30 June 1944[5]
24th Naval Fighter WingRNAS Henstridge25 October 1943Unknown30 June 1945[5]
30th Naval Fighter WingRNAS Machrihanish10 October 1944Unknown30 June 1945[5]
45th Naval TBR WingUnknown25 October 1943India21 April 1944[6]
47th Naval Fighter WingRNAS Stretton17 January 1944Unknown30 June 1945[6]
52nd Naval TBR WingUnknown26 November 1943Unknown9 July 1944[6]

Wing histories

  • 7th Naval Fighter Wing - formed at RNAS Eglinton (HMS Gannett) on 30 October 1943. It consisted six squadrons: four of them 881, 882, 896 and 898 Naval Air Squadrons, operated with Grumman Wildcat fighter aircraft, and two: 800 and 804 Naval Air Squadrons, were equipped with Grumman Hellcat, a Wildcat replacement fighter aircraft. 800 and 804 Naval Air Squadrons embarked in the Ruler-class carrier, HMS Emperor (D98), 881 and 896 Naval Air Squadrons embarked in the Attacker-class carrier, HMS Pursuer (D73), and 882 and 898 Naval Air Squadrons, embarked in HMS Searcher (D40), also an Atacker-class carrier. Due to operational limits on the carriers, in June 1944, 804, 896 and 898 NAS disbanded into their sister squadrons.[9] The Wing participated in Operation Dragoon in Provence, southern occupied France, in 1944, and later on, operations in the Aegean Region.[2] When the wing returned to the UK the squadrons moved on and it disbanded on 16 December 1944.[9]
    • Wing Leader[9]
      • Lieutenant Commander (A) M.F. Fell, DSO, RN 30 October 1943
      • disbanded 16 December 1944
  • 8th Naval TBR Wing - formed for the modified Courageous-class battlecruiser HMS Furious on 25 October 1943, with 827 and 830 Naval Air Squadrons, both operated with Fairey Barracuda torpedo and dive bomber aircraft. The wing participated in attacks on the german battleship Tirpitz, focusing its operational area around Norway. It disbanded on 3 October 1944 with 830 NAS merging into 827 NAS.[12]
    • Wing Leaders
      • Lieutenant Commander R.S. Baker-Faulkner, DSC, RN, 25 October 1943[12] - (KiA 14 July 1944)
      • Lieutenant Commander R.D. Kingdon, DSC, RNVR, 15 July 1944
      • disbanded, 3 October 1944[11]
  • 9th Naval TBR Wing - consisted Fairey Barracuda torpedo bomber equipped 820 and 826 Naval Air Squadrons, formed on 11 February 1944. It embarked in the Implacable-class aircraft carrier, HMS Indefatigable and operated off Norway, including attacks against the Kriegsmarine battleship Tirpitz. 820 NAS absorbed 826 NAS on 23 October 1944, disbanding the wing.[12]
    • Wing Leaders[12]
      • Lieutenant Commander (A) A.J.I. Temple-West, RN, 11 February 1944
      • Lieutenant Commander (A) W.R.Nowell, RN, 1 August 1944
  • 10th Naval Fighter Wing - formed at RNAS Eglinton (HMS Gannet) on 14 October 1944, for the British Pacific Fleet. It was made up of 1843 and 1845 Naval Air Squadrons, both equipped with the American Vought Corsair fighter aircraft. In December 1944 1845 NAS embarked in the Ruler-class escort carrier HMS Slinger (D26) and 1843 NAS embarked in HMS Arbiter (D31), another Ruler-class escort carrier, and the squadrons never operated as a wing. On 5 April 1945, 1845 NAS disbanded and its aircraft were merged into the existing squadrons on the Illustrious-class aircraft carrier HMS Formidable.[12] 1845 NAS reformed and on 30 June 1945, both squadrons weres absorbed into the 3rd Carrier Air Group.[13]
    • Wing Leader[12]
      • Major P.P. Nelson-Gracie, RM 14 October 1944
  • 11th Naval TBR Wing - formed with 822 and 823 Naval Air Squadrons on 21 April 1944, at Ulunderpet, in India, by renumbering 45th Naval TBR Wing. Both units were equipped with Fairey Barracuda, torpedo and dive bomber arcraft. It disbanded when 822 NAS absorbed 823 NAS on 6 July 1944.[12]
    • Wing Leader[14]
      • unidentified, 21 April 1944
  • 12th Naval TBR Wing - consisted 815 and 817 Naval Air Squadrons and formed 24 January 1944, for the British Pacific Fleet,[12] with an intended embarkation in the modified Illustrious-class aircraft carrier, HMS Indomitable (92). The wing joined the Ruler-class escort carrier HMS Begum (D38) the following month, with Indomitable still under repair, and went to the far east, later on embarking in the initially intended HMS Indomitable (92) during July 1944.[14] The wing saw operational service before disbanding on 28 December 1944.[12]
    • Wing Leader[12]
      • Lieutenant Commander E.M. Britton, RN
  • 15th Naval Fighter Wing - consisted 1830, 1831 and 1833 Naval Air Squadrons, equipped with Vought Corsair, American fighter aircaft and formed on 8 November 1943, at RNAS Stretton (HMS Blackcap). 1831 NAS disbanded into the other two squadrons before the wing embarked in the lead ship of her class of aircraft carrier, HMS Illustrious (87). The aicraft carrier was initially with the Eastern Fleet and then moved to the British Pacific Fleet and the wing saw numerous operational activies with both. It disbanded on 28 July 1945, when the wing returned to the United Kingdom.[12]
    • Wing Leaders[14]
      • Lieutenant Commander J.W. Sleigh, DSC, RN, 8 November 1943
      • Lieutenant Commander (A) R.J. Cork, DSO, DSC, RN, 2 December 1943 - (KiA 14 April 1944)
      • Lieutenant Commander (A) A.M. Tritton, DSC & 2 Bars, RNVR, 15 April 1944
      • disbanded, 28 July 1945
  • 18th Naval MAC-Ship Wing - This was a proposed Wing. The intention was to form this wing in order to control the squadrons whose aircraft were embarked on the Merchant Aircraft Carriers, or MAC-Ships.[14] 836 Naval Air Squadron became an operational pool of Fairey Swordfish, a British biplane torpedo bomber, operating from the MAC-Ships, absorbing other squadrons and detachments, and was given primary responsibility for all MAC-Ship flights.[15] There is doubt if the MAC-Ship Wing, as it was more generally known, was ever known by its number.[14]
  • 21st Naval TBR Wing - formed at RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail) on 25 October 1943. It consisted 810 and 847 Naval Air Squadrons, both operating with Fairey Barracuda torpedo bomber aircraft. The wing joined HMS Illustrious (87) during November 1943, then sailed to join the Eastern Fleet. It disbanded after 810 NAS absorbed 847 NAS on 30 June 1944.[12]
    • Wing Leaders[14]
      • Lieutenant Commander N.R. Corbet-Milward, RN, 25 October 1943
      • Lieutenant Commander B.E. Boulding, DSC, RN, 18 November 1943
      • Lieutenant Commander (A) A.J.B. Forde, RN, 27 February 1944
      • disbanded, 30 June 1944
  • 24th Naval Fighter Wing - formed of 887 and 894 Naval Air Squadrons on 25 October 1943, at RNAS Henstridge (HMS Dipper). Both squadrons were equipped with Supermarine Seafire. The wing joined HMS Indefatigable during May 1944, for operations off Norway. HMS Indefatigable joined the Eastern Fleet during November 1944, and then joined British Pacific Fleet. The wing was involved in operations against Japanese forces, before being absorbed into 7th Carrier Air Group, on 30 June 1945.[12]
    • Wing Leaders[14]
      • Lieutenant Commander N.G. Hallett, DSC, RN, 31 December 1943
      • Lieutenant Commander B.F. Wiggington, DSC, RNVR, 22 May 1944
      • Lieutenant Commander (A) A.J. Thomson, DSC, RNVR, 1 November 1944
      • Lieutenant Commander N.G. Hallett, DSC, RN, 12 March 1945
      • disbanded into 7th Carrier Air Group, 30 June 1945
  • 30th Naval Fighter Wing - formed at RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail) on 10 October 1944 and consisting Supermarine Seafire equipped 810 and 880 Naval Air Squadrons. The wing embarked in HMS Implacable during November 1944,[16] sailing, to join up with the British Pacific Fleet, on 15 March 1945.[14] However, the wing disbanded into the 8th Carrier Air Group, on 30 June 1945, before seeing any operations.[16]
    • Wing Leader[14]
      • Lieutenant Commander C.P. Campbell-Horsfall, RN, 10 October 1944
  • 31st Naval TBR Wing - it was proposed to form during October 1943 at RNAS Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk). It was to consist 832 and 845 Naval Air Squadrons, both equipped with Fairey Barracuda torpedo and dive bombers aircraft. However, intended for the Illustrious-class HMS Victorious (R38), the aircraft carrier was not available and therefore, in November, the formation of the wing was cancelled. The squadrons were reallocated to HMS Engadine, for passage to the Far East.[14]
    • Wing Leaders[14]
      • Lieutenant Commander WH Crawford, RN, 20 October 1943
      • disbanded, 26 November 1943
  • 45th Naval TBR Wing - formed for service in HMS Indefatigable,[14] with the Fairey Barracuda equipped 822 and 823 Naval Air Squadrons, on 25 October 1943, however, until the squadrons were ready to depart in HMS Atheling, to join the Eastern Fleet during February 1944, they did not combine. The wing was renumbered as 11th Naval TBR Wing, on 21 April 1944.[16]
    • Wing Leaders[17]
      • Lieutenant Commander B.E. Boulding, DSC, RN, 25 October 1943
      • Lieutenant Commander G. Douglas, DFC, RN, 1 December 1943
      • unidentified, 31 January 1944
      • renumbered 11th Naval TBR Wing, 21 April 1944
  • 47th Naval Fighter Wing - consisted 1834 and 1836 Naval Air Squadrons and formed on 17 January 1944 at RNAS Stretton (HMS Blackcap).[16] Both units were equipped with Vought Corsair fighter aircraft.[18] The wing joined up with the Illustrious-class aircraft carrier, HMS Victorious (R38), during March 1944 to cover with air strikes against the German battleship Tirpitz. During June, the carrier and wing travelled to Ceylon, and the wing was augmented with 1837 Naval Air Squadron in August 1944,[16] also equipped with Vought Corsair,[19] however, this squadron disbanded into the other two. The wing saw action against Japanese forces, before being absorbed into the 1st Carrier Air Group on 30 June 1945.[16]
    • Wing Leader[17]
      • Lieutenant Commander (A) F.R.A. Turnbull, DSC, RN, 17 January 1944
      • Major R.C. Hay, DSC, RM, 14 August 1944 (Lieutenant Colonel 12 December 1944)
      • disbanded into 1st Carrier Air Group, 30 June 1945
  • 52nd Naval TBR Wing - Initially planned for the name ship of her class HMS Implacable (R86), with 815 and 829 Naval Air Squadrons, in October 1943, the wing actually formed on 26 November and was reallocated to the Illustrious-class aircraft carrier, HMS Victorious (R38). However, with the aircraft carrier unavailable, the squadrons joined the Ruler-class escort carrier, HMS Begum (D38) and operated with the 12th Naval Wing.[17] The wing formed again on 5 January 1944, for HMS Victorious (R38). It was made up of 829 and 831 Naval Air Squadrons, both operated with Fairey Barracuda torpedo and dive bomber aircraft and was later augmented by 827 Naval Air Squadron for air strikes on the German battleship Tirpitz. The wing disbanded on 9 July 1944, when 831 NAS absorbed 827 NAS.[16]
    • Wing Leader[17]
      • Lieutenant Commander J.C.N. Shrubsole, RN, 26 November 1943
      • Lieutenant Commander E.M. Britton, RN, 5 January 1944
      • Lieutenant Commander (A) F.H. Fox, RN, 24 January 1944
      • Lieutenant Commander V. Rance, OBE, RN, 15 February 1944
      • disbanded, 9 July 1944

Wing Codes 1943-45

List of Wing Codes of the Fleet Air Arms Naval Air Wings, applied between 1943 and 1945.[17]

Letter Wing name Active
A 15th Naval Fighter Wing November 1943 - July 1945
B 26 (not formed)
C 29 (not formed)
D 4th Naval Fighter Wing October 1943 - November 1945
E 16 (not formed)
F 35 (not formed)
G 28 (not formed)
H 24th Naval Fighter Wing November 1943 - June 1945
I 11th Naval TBR Wing April 1944 - July 1944
J 44 (not formed)
K 3rd Naval Fighter Wing November 1943 - October 1945
L 6th Naval Fighter Wing February 1944 - June 1945
M 18th Naval MAC-Ship Wing May 1943 - July 1945
N 40 (not formed)
O 10th Naval Fighter Wing October 1944 - February 1945
P 30th Naval Fighter Wing October 1944 - June 1945
Q 43 (not formed)
R 5th Naval Fighter Wing February 1943 - June 1945
S 49 (not formed)
T 47th Naval Fighter Wing January 1944 - June 1945
U 22 (not formed)
V 42 (not formed)
W 7th Naval Fighter Wing October 1943 - February 1944
X 33 (not formed)
Y 37 (not formed)
Z 13 (not formed)

Carrier Air Groups

List of active Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, Carrier Air Groups between 1945-54:

See also

References

Citations

Bibliography

  • Sturtivant, R; Ballance, T (1994). The Squadrons of The Fleet Air Arm. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-223-8.
  • Ballance, Theo; Howard, Lee; Sturtivant, Ray (2016). The Squadrons and Units of the Fleet Air Arm. Air Britain Historians Limited. ISBN 978-0-85130-489-2.
  • Wragg, David (2019). The Fleet Air Arm Handbook 1939-1945. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7509-9303-6.
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