Order of Battle, 38 and 46 Groups RAF and RASC Air Despatch Units

52nd Troop Carrier Wing

  • 61st Troop Carrier Group Based at Barkston Heath.

    Flew 71 C-47 missions carrying 1,166 British troops on first lift without loss. The group later flew 158 missions for the US airborne divisions with the loss of 4 aircraft.

  • 314th Troop Carrier Group Based at Saltby.

    Flew 198 C-47 and 6 C-53 missions carrying 2,330 British and 604 Polish troops on 17, 18 and 21 September, losing 4 aircraft with 15 men killed, one prisoner of war and 4 men returning safely. The group also flew 29 missions for a US division without loss.

  • 315th Troop Carrier Group Based at Spanhoe.

    Flew 149 C-47 missions carrying 902 British and 964 Polish troops on 18, 20 and 21 September, losing 7 aircraft, with 12 men killed, 2 prisoners and 19 returning safely. The group also flew 162 missions for US divisions with the loss of one aircraft.

  • The 313th and 316th Troop Carrier Groups at Folkingham and Cottesmore.

    Flew 303 and 333 missions respectively for US divisions, losing 4 and 8 aircraft.

  • The 50th and 53rd Troop Carrier Wings, based mostly in Nottinghamshire and Berkshire.

    flew entirely in support of the two US airborne divisions.