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No. 83 Group Support Unit RAF

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No. 83 Group Support Unit (83 GSU)
ActiveMarch 1944 – October 1945
DisbandedOctober 1945
CountryUnited Kingdom
BranchRoyal Air Force
RoleSupply pilots and aircraft for operational squadrons
Part ofNo. 83 Group RAF
Garrison/HQRAF Redhill (March-June 1944)
EngagementsWorld War Two
Battle honoursWW2
Aircraft flown
FighterSupermarine Spitfire, Hawker Typhoon, North American Mustang

No. 83 Group Support Unit RAF was a "holding unit" for aircraft and pilots in WW2, supplying them to operational RAF combat squadrons.

History

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No 83 SGU was formed in March 1944 at RAF Redhill, and was there until 25 June 1944 ([1]) later moving to RAF Bognor, RAF Thorney Island, RAF Westhampnett and RAF Dunsfold in Surrey.[1][2]

No 83 GSU maintained a substantial number of combat aircraft of all types, ready to replace losses in combat squadrons in the field. Pilots were often "rotated out" to combat squadrons within a few days of arrival. The instructors were usually pilots who were "resting" between operational tours.[1] 83 GSU also operated "conversion flights" to train pilots on new aircraft types and maintain combat readiness of the existing pool of pilots.[1]

In November 1944 83 GSU arrived at RAF Westhampnett in West Sussex, bringing with it Spitfires, Mustangs and Typhoons.[3]

Flying accidents were not uncommon. On 9 February 1945 Flight Officer John Nesbitt Beattie was flying Typhoon 1B Serial MN704 when the aircraft suffered an engine malfunction leading to a crash in which Beattie was killed.[4] On June 26, 1945, Flight Lieutenant Theos Llewellyn Lewis was flying Typhoon 1B EK432 over Dunsfold, Surrey carrying out a practice rocket attack on the aerodrome when his aircraft crashed and he was killed.[5]

83 GSU RAF was disbanded in October 1945.[2]

References

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