In the Spring of 1943
the final preparations for the invasion of the
Continent began to take shape when 21st Army Group was formed out of the oper-
ational part of G.H.Q. Home Forces and Army Co-operation Command was converted
into the Second Tactical Air Force. These changes meant that the forces, which
had been working in the United Kingdom, had to be supplemented by the addition
of many units from other sources and both the Army and the Air Force received
units from the Middle East and the Latter was given several squadrons from
Fighter Command.
Strategic Photographic Reconnaissance had been done for G.H.Q. Home Forces
and A.C. Command by
No. 140 Squadron
since 1941 and it was at once obvious that
the requirements of the British Invasion Forces could not be met by the effort
of only one squadron, especially in view of recent developments in Night Photo-
graphy. It was decided, therefore, to form a Photographic Reconnaissance Wing
which would work for the Headquarters of 21 Army Group and Second Tactical Air
Force and 34 Wing, of
the dying A.C. Command
, gave its title and some of its
Headquarters Staff to a new wing which was ordered to form on
1st July 1943
at
Hartford Bridge
with the existing 140 Squadron as its focal point and
No. 16
Squadron
- a tactical reconnaissance squadron from A.C. Command - to make up
strength.
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