RAF Wunstorf - Berlin Airlift

[archivist]

Can anyone please tell me which British Squadrons operated into/out of RAF Wunstorf during the Berlin Airlift. Many thanks

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

RAF units operating at Wunstorf included, 40. 51, 99, 206 & 242 Squadrons, which operated a total of 39 Yorks, and three civilian air carriers; Skyways, B.S.A.A. and Airflight.

See:
Berlin Airlift:The Effort and the Aircraft.
Provan,John & R.E.G. Davies.
McLean:Paladwr Press,1998.
p.37.

Col.

[archivist]

Thank you very much Col,

I am trying to track the progress of a Polish airman's service from the time he left the PAF and joined the RAF in 1948. The only real clues I have is that he had a presentation item marked Berlin Airlift - Wunstorf. That and the information that he had a heart attack in 1971 whilst serving as an air traffic controller in Gibraltar. So your information gives me a starting point and places to look.

Neville

[COL BRUGGY]

Neville,

What was the date of this airmen's death? Feel free to ignore the question if it compromises your research.

Colin

[archivist]

Hello Col,

I do not know the exact date but it was March 1997 - his name was Zdzislaw Stefan Gustowski (known as Stefan or Gus) I believe he was a Warrant Officer when he retired from the RAF around 1971-72. He had a heart attack whilst serving in air traffic control at Gibraltar and was returned to England where he was given a desk job but couldn't handle it so he retired. The desk job was at RAF Odiham

Neville

[COL BRUGGY]

Neville,

Thanks for that. Couldn't find mention of Gustowski in my Berlin Airlift material.

Regards,

Col.

[archivist]

I have just been sent a photograph of him standing by his Avro York, probably at Wunstorf. Regrettably there are no visible markings so I still cannot identify the Squadron. I would post the picture here but I have not been able to post pictures on this site for months.

Neville

[Rene Romainville]

Hello
Maybe of some interest.

Type on Google
Berlin airlift RAF squadron

one result is Berlinairliftassociation - Cold war museum

It is a PDF containing 16 pages; Very intersant

Best regards

Rene

[archivist]

Thank you Rene,

That is a very interesting PDF and well worth reading (which I have just done!). I wish I could find one like it with the names of the aircrew and their squadrons.

Regards
Neville