# No. 80 Wing RAF

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No. 80 Wing RAF Active 1 July 1918–1 March 1919 7 October 1940–24 September 1945 1 August 1953–15 March 1957 Country United Kingdom Branch Royal Air Force Role Air superiority (WWI) Electronic Countermeasures (WWII) Size Wing Part of No. 100 Group RAF (1943–45) Garrison/HQ Serny, France (WWI) RAF Radlett (WWII) Commanders Notable commanders Wing Commander Edward Addison (1940–43)

Military unit

**No. 80 Wing RAF** was a unit of the [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) (RAF) during both World Wars and briefly in the 1950s. In the last months of [World War I](/source/World_War_I) it controlled RAF and [Australian Flying Corps](/source/Australian_Flying_Corps) (AFC) fighter squadrons. It was reformed in 1940 to operate [electronic countermeasures](/source/Electronic_countermeasures) in the [Battle of the Beams](/source/Battle_of_the_Beams).

## First World War

A scoreboard listing the claims for aircraft destroyed by No. 80 Wing between July and November 1918.

No. 80 Wing was formed at [Serny](/source/Enquin-les-Mines), [Pas-de-Calais](/source/Pas-de-Calais), on 1 July 1918, as an Army Wing of squadrons equipped with [scout](/source/Scout_(aircraft)) (fighter) aircraft.[1][2] From 26 June, it was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel [Louis Strange](/source/Louis_Strange).

The wing specialised in large-scale raids against airfields belonging to the Imperial German Air Service (*[Luftstreitkräfte](/source/Luftstreitkr%C3%A4fte)*).

Its subordinate squadrons were:

- [2 Squadron AFC](/source/No._2_Squadron_RAAF), [Australian Flying Corps](/source/Australian_Flying_Corps)

- [4 Squadron AFC](/source/No._4_Squadron_RAAF), Australian Flying Corps

- [46 Squadron RAF](/source/No._46_Squadron_RAF)

- [54 Squadron RAF](/source/No._54_Squadron_RAF)

- [88 Squadron RAF](/source/No._88_Squadron_RAF)

- [92 Squadron RAF](/source/No._92_Squadron_RAF)

- [103 Squadron RAF](/source/No._103_Squadron_RAF)

No. 80 Wing was disbanded on 1 March 1919.[1][2]

## Second World War

Wing Commander Edward Addison

In June 1940, a RAF **Radio Counter-Measures** (RCM) unit was formed at a requisitioned country hotel, [Aldenham Lodge](/source/Aldenham_House), in [Radlett](/source/Radlett), [Hertfordshire](/source/Hertfordshire), to provide [electronic countermeasures](/source/Electronic_countermeasures) (ECM) and intelligence on enemy radio/radar systems.[3] On 7 October, it was renamed **80 (Signals) Wing**,[2] with the motto "Confusion to Our Enemies". 80 Wing worked under the immediate control of the [Air Ministry](/source/Air_Ministry), but kept in close touch with [RAF Fighter Command](/source/RAF_Fighter_Command)'s operations room at [RAF Bentley Priory](/source/RAF_Bentley_Priory).[4]

The main role of RCM/80 Wing initially was jamming the German radio navigation system *[Knickebein](/source/Knickebein)*, which assisted *[Luftwaffe](/source/Luftwaffe)* bombers raiding targets in the UK. Its founding commander was [Wing Commander](/source/Wing_Commander_(rank)) [Edward Addison](/source/Edward_Addison), a signals specialist who had recently returned from the Middle East. The technical design of countermeasures was handled by a section under [Dr Robert Cockburn](/source/Robert_Cockburn_(physicist)) at the [Telecommunications Research Establishment](/source/Telecommunications_Research_Establishment) at [Swanage](/source/Swanage), [Dorset](/source/Dorset). Both organisations were given the highest priority.[5]

The first jammers developed at Swanage were simple [diathermy](/source/Diathermy) sets to transmit a 'mush' of noise on the *Knickebein* frequency. These were quickly superseded by higher powered equipment called '[Aspirins](/source/Aspirin)' (to deal with the *Knickebein* beams, which were codenamed 'Headaches').[5] *Knickebein* was soon superseded by [*X-Gerät*](/source/Battle_of_the_Beams#X-Ger.C3.A4t) and [*Y-Gerät*](/source/Battle_of_the_Beams#Y-Gerät) directional beams, which in turn were eventually jammed by 80 Wing in the ongoing [Battle of the Beams](/source/Battle_of_the_Beams).[6][7]

On 23/24 April 1942, the *Luftwaffe* began a new campaign against the UK (the *[Baedeker Blitz](/source/Baedeker_Blitz)* ) with a raid on [Exeter](/source/Exeter), followed by a series of raids on other provincial cities. Scientific intelligence gave about six weeks' warning that these raids would employ *X-Gerät* with a new supersonic [modulation](/source/Modulation) frequency. 80 Wing was able to add supersonic modulation to its jammers, but was briefed not to employ this countermeasure until listening stations had confirmed that the *Luftwaffe* was indeed using the new technique. Unfortunately, the designers of the listening receivers had overlooked the fact that supersonic reception involves a wider bandwidth than normal in the high frequency circuits of the receivers. Once this was corrected, 80 Wing was able to jam the beam so successfully that the 50 per cent success rate (bombs on target) of the early *Baedeker* raids dropped to 13 per cent and the campaign petered out. The [Air Staff](/source/Air_Staff_(United_Kingdom))'s scientific intelligence adviser, Dr [R.V. Jones](/source/Reginald_Victor_Jones), estimated that the delay in allowing 80 Wing to begin jamming cost about 400 lives and another 600 serious injuries, while [Anti-Aircraft Command](/source/Anti-Aircraft_Command) was forced to redeploy hundreds of guns to cover potential *Baedeker* targets.[8][9][10]

By the end of 1942, 80 Wing included a flying unit, known as the Wireless Intelligence and Development Unit (WIDU) at [RAF Boscombe Down](/source/RAF_Boscombe_Down) in Wiltshire, which was later renamed [No. 109 Squadron RAF](/source/No._109_Squadron_RAF).[3] Among other roles, 109 Sqn simulated enemy air raids, to test ECM equipment.

The headquarters of 80 Wing later moved to the [Handley-Page](/source/Handley-Page) factory aerodrome at Radlett, also known as [RAF Radlett](/source/Radlett_Aerodrome). From November 1943, it became part of [No. 100 Group RAF](/source/No._100_Group_RAF) – a larger formation based at Radlett devoted to ECM and commanded by Addison (by now promoted to [Air commodore](/source/Air_commodore) and later to [Air vice-marshal](/source/Air_vice-marshal)).[11][12] The wing controlled [Meacon](/source/Meacon) beacons, as well as other countermeasures and radio/radar intelligence work.

The Wing's Meconing capability was developed for overseas operation and two units were active in North Africa in 1943.Towards the end of'43 they transferred to Italy following the allied invasion, the main body of the unit flew to Taranto, while 4 x 60 ft articulated lorries full of operational gear crossed by sea to Naples, then was set up briefly in the Apennines before the unit was called home. Later, in 1944 an 80 Wing unit landed in Normandy a week or more after D-Day and followed the successful invasion force through Northern France into Belgium. Their mission then was to establish radio frequencies it was thought being used to guide German V Flying Bombs and to destroy the signals -- one of various efforts made at the time to counter the V missiles used against Britain and later against targets in France and Belgium.([13])

At it peak, the wing included 2,000 personnel. It was disbanded on 24 September 1945.[2][3]

## Postwar

No. 80 Wing RAF was reformed on 1 August 1953 and disbanded on 15 March 1957.[2]

## See also

- [No. 80 Wing RAAF](/source/No._80_Wing_RAAF) – a joint RAAF-RAF fighter wing that saw action in the South West Pacific Area during 1943–45.

- [List of Wings of the Royal Air Force](/source/List_of_Wings_of_the_Royal_Air_Force)

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-air_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-air_1-1) [Air Ministry, 1938, "80 Wing R.A.F.", *Air Historical Branch: Papers (Series I)*](http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C4090107), AIR 1/1938/204/245/8.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Wing51_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Wing51_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Wing51_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Wing51_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Wing51_2-4) [Wings 51–110 at Air of Authority.](http://www.rafweb.org/Organsation/Wings2.htm)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bbc_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bbc_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bbc_3-2) [BBC, 2005, *The War in 80 (Signals) Wing RAF*](https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/54/a5897154.shtml) (22 June 2016).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Collier, Chapter IX.](http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-Defence-UK/UK-DefenseOfUK-9.html)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Jones176_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Jones176_5-1) Jones, p. 176.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Jones, pp. 186–238.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Collier, Chapter XVII.](http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-Defence-UK/UK-DefenseOfUK-17.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Jones, pp. 323–6.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Routledge, pp. 402–3.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Collier, Chapter XX.](http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-Defence-UK/UK-DefenseOfUK-20.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Jones, p. 588.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Falconer, p. 33.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** WW2 People’s War, BBC Archive,"80Wing and a Radio Ham's Adventures in the Secret War" [https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/50/a8415650.shtml](https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/50/a8415650.shtml)

## References

- [Basil Collier, *History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The Defence of the United Kingdom*, London: HM Stationery Office, 1957.](http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-Defence-UK/index.html)

- Jonathan Falconer, *Bomber Command Handbook 1939–1945*, Stroud: Sutton, 1998, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7509-1819-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7509-1819-5).

- [R.V. Jones](/source/Reginald_Victor_Jones), *Most Secret War: British Scientific Intelligence 1939–1945*, London: Hamish Hamilton 1978/Coronet 1979, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-340-24169-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-340-24169-1).

- Brig N.W. Routledge, *History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: Anti-Aircraft Artillery 1914–55*, London: Royal Artillery Institution/Brassey's, 1994, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85753-099-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85753-099-3),

## External links

- [BBC WW2 People's War](https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/)

- [Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation.](http://www.rafweb.org/index.html)

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v t e Royal Air Force wings Airfield headquarters 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 (Polish) 132 (Norwegian) 133 (Polish) 134 (Czech) 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 (RCAF) 144 (RCAF) 145 (French) 146 147 148 149 150 Bases 11 12 13 14 15 31 32 33 41 42 43 44 51 52 53 54 55 56 61 (RCAF) 62 (RCAF) (Beaver) 63 (RCAF) 64 (RCAF) 71 72 73 74 75 76 (RCAF) Sectors 11 (Northern) 12 (East Anglia) 13 (Scotland) 15 17 (Fighter) 18 (Fighter) 19 (Fighter) 20 (Fighter) 21 (Base Defence) 22 (RCAF) (Fighter) 24 (Base Defence) 25 (Base Defence) North South Metropolitan Northern Southern Expeditionary 34 EAW 38 EAW 121 EAW 122 EAW 125 EAW 135 EAW 138 EAW 140 EAW 325 EAW 901 EAW 902 EAW 903 EAW 904 EAW 905 EAW 906 EAW 907 EAW Numbered wings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 (ES) 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 (EL) 86 87 88 89 90 91 96 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 123 124 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 136 137 139 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 159 160 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 177 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 215 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 272 273 274 275 276 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 300 301 302 303 321 322 323 324 325 326 328 329 330 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 500 551 552 553 554 700 701 900 908 909 910

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [No. 80 Wing RAF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._80_Wing_RAF) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._80_Wing_RAF?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.