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140 Squadron had been operating in the Photographic Reconnaissance version
of the
Spitfire Mk. V
, and the plan for the new Wing was to convert 16 Squadron
to
Spitfires
from
Mustangs
and gradually to re-equip with the more up-to-date
Spitfire Mk. XI
as these became available. In the meantime 140 Squadron was to
be re-equipped with the
Photographic Reconnaissance
version of the
Mosquito
, which
was suitable for both day and night photography, and one flight was to concentrate
on the latter.
The new Wing was commanded by
Group Captain C.R. Lousada
who had been in
charge of the old 34 Wing, and he had
Peter Stansfeld
as Wing Commander in charge
of Administration and
Sandy Webb
, who was commanding 140 Squadron before June 1st,
as Wing Commander Operations. His place in 140 Squadron was taken by
Richard
Bowen
from 16 Squadron, leaving
Squadron Leader Mackie (Mac)
in command of 16
Squadron. No. 4 Air Liaison Section (140 Sqn) amalgamated with No. 1 Air Liaison Section
(16 Sqn) and was commanded by
Hugh Rigby
. New officers arrived in
a steady stream to fill the many vacancies on the Wing Staff and to replace aircrew
in 16 Sqn who were temperamentally or medically unsuited to high flying. Most
of those who came at this period to join the staff remained with the Wing until
the end, but the aircrew list was continually changing as, one after another,
they completed their tours: nevertheless a spirit grew up in the Wing which led
many of those who went "on rest" to return to the Wing after they had recuperated
in a less exacting employment.
The first thing 34 Wing did was to hold an inaugural
dance
in the Mess at
Hartford Bridge
on 23rd July. This party was well attended and the food
and drink provided by the Catering Officer set a standard which
Don Twidale
had some
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