RAF Regiment

My dad was in the RAF Regiment and posted to Norway as part of the Army of Occupation. I wondered if there was an online forum which might discuss this or somewhere that I could search to find out more about my dad's time in the RAF Regiment. Apologies if this is the wrong place to post this and of course I'll remove the post if necessary. Thanks

 

Hi

Extracted from "Through Adversity - History of RAF Regiment" page 142/143

THE RETURN TO NORTH-WEST EUROPE

Meanwhile, RAF Regiment squadrons formed part of the British force which landed in Norway. 2737 and 2949 Rifle Squadrons, which had been trained in mountain warfare techniques in Scotland,
embarked with the 3rd and 52nd Infantry Divisions for the liberation of Norway in order to occupy German airfields there. They were joined by 1318 Wing HQ – and also by 2875 Squadron which was
moved by air from Schleswig to Oslo in Halifax bombers instead of the Dakota transport aircraft which they had expected. Although all the squadron personnel and equipment were squeezed into the
cramped interiors of the Halifaxes, there was no room for the second-in-command’s most treasured possession – the squadron piano – which had been acquired in Normandy and provided music for the squadron as it moved through NW Europe. It was left, standing alone and forlorn, in a field in Germany as 2875 Squadron lifted off for Norway.

Unfortunately none of the RAF Regiment Operation Record Book/Appendices that I know of have been digitised by the National Archives. Which is a shame as most of the Flying Sqns have been.

2737 Sqn
Operation Record Book (ORB)
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7159245
Appendices
RAF Regiment Squadrons 2721 with nominal roll and plan of movements around Rome; 2722,... | The National Archives

2949 Sqn
Operation Record Book (ORB)
2949 Squadron RAF Regiment. Formed at Longcross and based at various UK locations... | The National Archives
Appendices
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4099845

2785 Sqn
Operation Record Book (ORB)
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7159293
Appendices
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4099803

RAF Regiment Museum: https://www.rafregimentheritagecentre.co.uk/

If you haven't applied for his service record yet. https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-records-of-service

Hope this helps

Gus

 

A history of the RAF Regiment can be found here. Its is downloadable.

http://sareda.co.uk/pdfs/through_adversity.pdf

 

That's really helpful, many thanks! Yes I have applied for his service record however it seems like these requests take some time so I thought I'd ask on here what else or where else I might find information about the RAF Regiment and their operations in Norway. Thank you again. John

 

Thank you, these links are really helpful

 

If you use this search term: "raf regiment" + "norway" site:ww2talk.com it will identify threads here that might help.

Post 2 in this thread: Looking for British unit! gives an indication why the RAFR might be deployed to Norway, citing Denmark as an example.

I expect each arm of the British military had its own objectives following the German surrender. So the RAF would focus on radar stations, active airfields and specialist aircraft - the Danish airfield cited had JU-88G night fighters. Personally I doubt much of the Luftwaffe was still flying by the end of the war from Norwegian bases.

Note Finnmark Norway's northern most province was occupied by the Soviet Red Army from October 1944. See: Finnmark - Wikipedia

Check the CWGC database for any deaths amongst the RAF in Norway after VE-Day 1945 (1/5/1945).

 

Many thanks, more helpful information which much appreciated.

 

Hello,

I would suspect your dad was seconded to either the Missing and Research Enquiries Service or one of the RAF Disarmament Wings or Flights.

If it was the MRES then it would have been No. 3 MRES which handled Norway and Denmark. F/Lt Hubert Brooks, MC, RCAF was in charge of No. 3 post-war. He was an ex-POW who, on his third escape, met up with the Polish Home Army and took part in all sorts of adventures. I can't recommend his son's website enough. Chapter 6 covers his work with MRES.

The Disarmament Wings (and Flights) would have been an easier gig. This article, apart from the fact it states that No. 8402 Disarmament Wing was RCAF (it was RAF), is worth your time.

As is this, if only for the background:

Taming Eagles: Disarming the Luftwaffe, 1945-1948 - Crowdcast

Regards,

Dave

 

Many thanks, those are interesting links. I probably should have added more detail to my initial post but wasn't sure if I'd get any feedback to my question! Anyway my late brother-in-law (ex RAF) did some research on both the RAF bases at Skaw (where my dad was stationed initially in 1941) and RAF Saxavord, both on the island of Unst in the Shetland Islands. In his research he notes that
2740 Squadron, RAF Regiment was used in defence of Sumburgh (Shetland) and 2751 Squadron was at Sullom Voe (Shetland). He wasn't sure which Regiment provided the personnel on Unst, but thought it was possibly 2737 Sqn. This Sqn was deployed to Norway later (along with my father). He talked of being in and around Oslo and possibly other locations south of Oslo but where I'm not sure. As always when you're young you think parents are going to be around forever and don't ask the questions about their past history that only become interesting when you get old! By then it's sadly too late.

 

Further to my original posting some months back I've now received my father's service record from the MOD/RAF Disclosures-Veterans (Form 543). I had hoped it would tell me where he trained at various times and was posted to (I know he came up to RAF Skaw, Unst, in Shetland) but thought such information might have been shown on his service record. Training again somewhere after Saxavord then off to Norway - this info was from my mother. Anyway I was hoping that someone might be able to help me with whats shown in the 'Units' column of this form as it dosn't mean much to me. If anyone can help I'd be really grateful!
RDU B1
7RC
20RC
839(D)
2763(A)
2950
2737 (think a previous note/link covers this one)
70 Wing
71 Wing
18BC
3RAFR (Assume this is the RAF Regiment but what does the 3 signify?)

There is a list of abbreviations' attached but haven't found that to be much help!
Many thanks

John

 

7 Recruit Centre
20 Recruit Centre
2839 Squadron (2 was added later)
2763 Squadron
Regiment Sqns 2700-2850

2950 Squadron
Regiment Sqns 2851-2952

Malcolm's web site contains handy reference but all ORBs are at the TNA
eg
2950 Squadron RAF Regiment. Based at various UK locations including Sandwich, Brandy Bay... | The National Archives

3 RAF Regiment Sub-Depot, Folkingham (UK). | The National Archives

His service record shows the units he was posted to but not their location - the RAF knew where most of it's units were and as they changed location did not feel they needed to duplicate the information shown in ORBs housed in the same Records Office.

If he was posted to a unit, when it moved it was not recorded on Form 543, you look at the Operations Record Book for that info. The exception is if the unit moved Command/AHQ or Theatre.

Ross

 

Many thanks Ross, that's really helpful information and links although I likely should have guessed what RC stood for! My dad's date of enlistment was 27 June 1941, the following day he's shown as going from Edinburgh to Res. (?), then on the 01 August 1941 from Res. (?) to RDU-B1. Any thoughts on what Res and RDU might stand for - Recruitment something Unit...?? Also during 1942 70 Wing and 71 Wing.??
Thanks again.
John

 

Res is reserve eg back to civi life until the raf could track him on a place in the instruction path for his trade.

70 and 71 Wings I think were Signals Wings specifically.

List of wings of the Royal Air Force - Wikipedia

Depends on date but suspect it's Reception and Disposal Unit
Reception and Disposal Unit, Blackpool; later became 21 Recruits Centre | The National Archives

Ross

 

Ross, once again many thanks for your helpful reply.

John