One of coastal command most successful units... THE Banff Strike Wing enjoyed a spectacular success during its brief life on the exposed north-facing coast of the Moray Firth. Six squadrons joined forces to create an effective multi-national unit which denied Germany many thousands of tons of vital iron ore and other supplies during operations from RAF Banff between September 1944 and May 1945. Under the command of Group Captain The Hon. Max Aitken, son of the then Lord Beaverbrook, the mixed Mosquito and Beaufighter Wing mounted concentrated attacks on German surface vessels and U-boats in the North Sea and along the Norwegian coastline. Often penetrating deep into heavily defended fjords to reach their anchored supply ship targets, which only dared venture to sea under cover of darkness; the Strike Wing crews ran the gauntlet of formidable anti-aircraft fire to achieve their goal. Although their reputation was built on the outstanding capabilities of both the Beaufighter MK. 10 and the Mosquito FB.VI, it was undoubtedly the latter which became synonymous with the Strike Wing and eventually equipped the RAF Banff based squadrons. Armed with a deadly mixture of cannon and rockets the Wing’s aircraft inflicted heavy damage on shipping. The unit was unique because of the presence of 333 Sqn Royal Norwegian Air Force as part of the Strike Wing. Their skills in the air and ability to locate targets concealed in mountain-fringed fjords became one of the RAF Banff unit’s great strengths and helped the joint RAF, Norwegian and Commonwealth aircrews who made up the unit achieve outstanding success in the destruction of supply ships, flak ships and U-boats. Flying alongside 333 Sqn were 143 Sqn, 248 Sqn, 404 Sqn, 144 Sqn and 235 Sqn whose losses were heavy. More than 80 RAF Banff Strike Wing aircrew died on operations. The Banff Strike Wing which operated from RAF Banff in the closing months of World War II, often jointly with the nearby RAF Dallachy Strike Wing Beaufighter force, made a significant contribution to the defeat of Germany by denying them vital raw materials. Banff Raiders by Stephen Brown Mosquito FB VIs of 143 Squadron, Banff Strike Wing, armed with 25-lb solid armour-piercing rockets on a mission over the north sea early in 1945. Based at Banff on the East Coast of Scotland, the Banff Strike Wing was formed in 1944. Its primary role was to combat the threat of enemy shipping operating from the bases deep within the Norwegian fjords.
And the remains of both fields can both still be seen "oop north". see "Action Stations vol. 7: Airfields of Scotland, North East England and Northern Ireland" by David J Smith (PSL Ltd 1989) Regards, Gordon
And you can read all about their exploits in the very nice little book, 'A Separate Little War - The Banff Strike Wing Versus The Kriegsmarine And Luftwaffe 1944-1945' by Andrew D Bird ( Grub Street 2003 ).
http://hsgalleries.com/mosquitojmb_1.htm Why do they have the NEL and then the roundel? [ 08. August 2004, 10:50 PM: Message edited by: TA152 ]
I previously posted it on the forum for new members then found this post. "Info WL Maurice Max Guedj Banff Wing I am looking for information on aircrafts, Beaufighter then Mosquito flown by Squadron leader later Wing Leader Maurice, Max Guedj in the Banff Wing. I have been reading "A Separate Little War" with several details (248, 143 squadrons, 'K' 143 Mosquito Mk VI during his last fatal flight on Monday 15 january 1945, but would like to get much more." Please. Thanks. Cordially. JP Chagnon
