No. 8303 Air Disarmament Wing March 1945

[namrondooh]

In March 1945, Bomber pilot (Whitley, Halifax, Stirling) Group Captain Alexander Vivian 'Tom' Sawyer, (brother of Sqn Ldr HC Sawyer), following a tour of duty as Station Commander of RAF Lissett, was posted to take command of No. 8303 Air Disarmament Wing. Where was this unit and what was its function? Thank you

Norman

[Errol Martyn]

Norman,

According to the 'Geographical Index of R.A.F. Units, June 1945 (Amended to May 23rd, 19145)'', 8303, along with 8520, was part of 85 Group. It looks as though these wings were made up of squadrons, servicing echelons and mobile detachments.

Perhaps their function was to do with disarming the Luftwaffe?

Errol

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Norman,
I do not know about No. 8303, but No. 8403 Air Disarmament Wing was responsible for the disarmament of Luftwaffe in Denmark following the German surrender in 1945, and had Squadrons placed at different locations in Denmark.

It is my impression that other ARWs had similar tasks, but in different locations/countries.

Regards

Mikkel

[namrondooh]

Thank you Errol,
Thank you Mikkel,

I now have a 'picture' of what the units function could be. First time I ever heard of a 'Air Disarmament Wing'.

Norman

[NiallC]

Hi Norman

According to the official history "Dissolution of the Luftwaffe" 8303 Wing moved to the continent on 29th April '45 and was based at Traben-Trabarch (about 20 miles NE of Trier). As others have suggested, the purpose of these units was to disarm and dispose of Luftwaffe personnel, equipment and munitions in their allocated geographic area. This included the Luftwaffe flak organisation and the numerous industrial locations carrying out manufacturing and repair work for the Luftwaffe.

Niall

[namrondooh]

Thank you Niall,

Does the book mention staff?

Norman