Wilhelm Mohr

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<strong>Wilhelm</strong> <strong>Mohr</strong>. On World War II were to go through organizational and structural changes. Mobility and flexibility were the keywords. A tactical Wing HQ was established at the same time as the Squadrons were made smaller and streamlined for full mobility through air lines of communications. Ground personnel were separated and technical maintenance was centralized under the Wing, even though some elements were kept by the original Squadrons. Even so, the technical section was to continue to support any flying operation where circumstances required the use of the airfield. The Norwegian personnel of various professions and disciplines numbered approximately 500 at this point in time. Yet one more British fighter squadron, No. 66, was attached to the Wing. A ground element for this squadron was built up mainly of Norwegian personnel, and this was to be a part of the Wing’s centralized maintenance system. In addition, the British provided two special mobile communication units to maintain lines of communication within the Allied system, provide cipher services, and so forth. In the same manner, the British Air Force provided two squadrons for the low defence [Base Defence] of the airfield. The whole Wing was to be made mobile. All workshops, control units, kitchens, mess halls, field hospitals, etc., had to be able to be moved by trucks or special vehicles, of which petrol-, fire- and crane trucks used to remove wreckage from the runway were among the heaviest. A huge programme to teach the personnel to drive and operate in convoys was established. The various types of cars were far from the easiest to handle. After a while, the Wing received 350 cars. Quartering was to be in tents. A minimum of field equipment, such as simple woollen blankets, was distributed to each person. Attention was focused on how to operate under the field conditions, setting up camp, hygiene arrangements, physical adjustment, and also discipline, such as shooting exercises, the handling of mines, camouflage routines, training in self-defence, and fieldwork, in order to improve one’s own level of protection. Hazardous working conditions would have been an inevitable result of a flight line under these circumstances. 82
PART II – The Ground Crews’ Participation in the War on the Continent 1944/45 Flying operations continued undiminished. In addition, the tasks and targets caused increased damage to the aircraft, for instance as a result of the low flying attacks on the German V-1 launchers along the Channel coastline, heavily defended as it was by anti-aircraft artillery. For the technical personnel, this represented a challenge that by far exceeded any shift arrangement. The Wing left North Weald on 31 March 1944. The original Squadrons were flown to the landing strip at Bognor on the south coast. The remainder of the Wing’s personnel travelled via country roads, divided into two groups, one front echelon that left in advance in order to receive the aircraft, and one rear echelon to enable the aircraft to leave. The personnel travelled separately by car together with their own crew and equipment, with various special vehicles tucked into the convoy where they were needed. Clearly, the invasion was approaching. For the squadrons, the primary task was to ensure air superiority in the invasion phase. Still, the air defence tasks were not to be forgotten, as it was of paramount importance that the enormous force projection on the south coast was not discovered. Accordingly, it was necessary to operate under field conditions at an enormous tempo. No one was permitted to take leave any more. Equipment and personnel were undoubtedly up to the task, but even so continued adjustments and training were important. Initiative and inventiveness proved to be of the utmost significance, and this was true from the top leadership down to each man. Subsequently, confirmation was received of the solid underlying recruitment basis that the Air Force had been fortunate enough to establish from the very beginning, incorporating whalers and mature, experienced sailors. This had been proved previously during the establishment of units in Canada, Iceland, the Shetlands, Woodhaven, and the fighter squadrons, and stiffened morale when insecurity and tension increased. The invasion started whilst the Norwegian Wing was at Bognor. The thunder from transport aircraft with paratroopers and gliders dragging behind could be heard throughout the night of 5 June. It was like a carpet of aircraft, but still the silhouettes of single aircraft could be seen 83
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Wilhelm Mohr On World War II
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Wilhelm Mohr On World War II Dag He
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PrefacePreface Working on this book
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Preface Air Force, is the only arti
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ForewordForeword The Royal Norwegia
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Reconnaissance Wing at Værnes Lieu
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Wilhelm Mohr. On World War II had l
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Wilhelm Mohr. On World War II 615 S
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Wilhelm Mohr. On World War II The i
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Wilhelm Mohr. On World War II facin
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Wilhelm Mohr (right) together with
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Wilhelm Mohr (standing, smoking pip
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In the Operations Record Book for N
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Above is the ’individual combat r
Page 31 and 32: I-The Contribution of the Norwegian
Page 33 and 34: PART I - The Contribution of the No
Page 37 and 38: Aerial photo of Camp «Little Norwa
Page 39 and 40: PART II The Deliberations for Furth
Page 49 and 50: In June 1942, Costal Command provid
Page 57 and 58: Above is the «Operational Record B
Page 59 and 60: 2nd Lt Jens Müller from 331 (N) Sq
Page 61 and 62: Maintenance of Spitfire Mk.IXc MA75
Page 65 and 66: Above is the «Operational Record B
Page 67 and 68: Mosquito Mk.II, DZ700/H, 333 (N) Sq
Page 79: PART II The Ground Crews’ Partici
Page 84 and 85: Wilhelm Mohr. On World War II again
Page 86 and 87: Wilhelm Mohr. On World War II with
Page 88 and 89: Wilhelm Mohr. On World War II After
Page 90 and 91: Wilhelm Mohr. On World War II On 21
Page 92 and 93: Wilhelm Mohr. On World War II force
Page 95: PART III Friends and Allies: A Wart
Page 98 and 99: Wilhelm Mohr. On World War II deplo
Page 100 and 101: Wilhelm Mohr. On World War II rebui
Page 103 and 104: PART IV -9April -From Past to the F
Page 105 and 106: PART IV - 9 April - From the Past t
Page 113: PART IV - 9 April - From the Past t
Page 117 and 118: PART V-An address to the Royal Norw
Page 119 and 120: PART V - An address to the Royal No
Page 125: AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements A
Page 129: PhotoPhoto Complete photo credits f
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Wilhelm Mohr

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