309 Squadron

plan_D · 06-30-2005, 08:43 PM

I don't know why I did this but I saw this picture of RAF Mustang IIIs and decided to find out what unit they were from. It took me a while, going off the WC prefix. So, I decided to share it with squadron information for some odd reason.

No. 309 Squadron (Ziema Czerwienska)

Formed at Abbotsinch on 8 October 1940 in the Army Co-operation role from Polish personnel. It was proposed that it should work with the Polish Army, them training in Scotland and was equipped with Lysanders for this purpose.Lysanders remained the squadron's main equipment until March 1943, but in July 1942 some Mustang Is were received, which were used for tactical reconnaissance operations over France. In February 1944 the squadron converted to the Hurricane IV due to the unreliability of the Mustang I's Alison engine. Hurricane IICs replaced the IVs in April and Mustangs returned in October in the form of the Merlin engined Mk III. In December 1944 the squadron became a bomber-escort unit based in East Anglia, remaining as such until the end of the war. The unit remaining part of Fighter Command until disbanding on 6 January 1947 at Coltishall.

Brunner · 07-22-2005, 05:47 AM

Hi plan_D.

I would like to mention an interesting thing:

On 27th September 1942 F/O (por.) Janusz Lewkowicz from 309th sqn made a lone recon/rhubarb flight to Norway and because of this was one of the first (if not the first) pilot to experience a long range abilities of p51.
His flight was his own initiative so he was later kept for few days in prison. However Janusz Lewkowicz's achievement became famous and even a C in C of the Army Co-OperationCommand (I cannot recall his name) visited him to listen about this risky mission.

plan_D · 07-22-2005, 06:42 AM

He did that in a Mustang I, I assume due to the date.

Brunner · 07-22-2005, 06:58 AM

of course

Pisis · 07-22-2005, 07:14 AM

thanks for info!

plan_D · 07-22-2005, 07:26 AM

I doubt he'd have been the first, since I'm pretty sure North-American would have discovered the range of the aircraft.

Have you got any other pictures of 309 Squadron? Be it Hurricanes or Mustangs.

Brunner · 07-22-2005, 08:44 AM

Of course NA would have known about the range of a birdie they manufactured. I was talking about combat pilots.