Battle Honours of the Fleet Air Arm.

NAVAL AVIATION BATTLE HONOURS
1939-1945
reviews.gif (5818 bytes)

Thirty Battle Honours were awarded to Royal Navy Naval Air Squadrons for actions and campaigns during the Second World War, perhaps the most renown being for the Taranto strike, the Norwegian campiagns of 1940 and against the Tirpitz, the Battle of the Atlantic and the sinking of the Bismarck, and the operations against the Japanese most notably at Palembang, Okinawa and Tokyo.

NAVAL AIR SQUADRON AND AIRCRAFT CARRIER BATTLE HONOURS
Atlantic 1939-45	English Channel 1939-45	North Sea 1939-45	River Plate 1939
Biscay 1940-45	Norway 1940-45	Libya 1940-42	Mediterranean 1940-45
Narvik 1940	Dunkirk 1940	Battle of Britain 1940	Calabria 1940
Taranto 1940	Spartivento 1940
Malta Convoys 1941-42	Matapan 1941	Crete 1941	'Bismarck' 1941
Arctic 1941-45	Malaya 1942-45	Diego Suarez 1942	North Africa 1942-43
Sicily 1943	Salerno 1943	Aegean 1944	Normandy 1944
Sabang 1944	South France 1944	Burma 1944-45	Palembang 1945
Okinawa 1945	Japan 1945

For Aircrew name lists for the different Battle Honours click here

1939
Atlantic 1939-45	Ocean convoy escorts, or support forces that took part in a successful action, Equator to the Arctic Circle between 3rd September 1939 and 8th May 1945. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 700, 801, 802, 804, 807, 808, 810, 811, 813, 814, 816, 818, 819, 820, 822, 824, 825, 826, 829, 833, 834, 835, 836, 837, 838, 840, 842, 846, 850, 860, 881, 882, 892, 896, 898, 1832. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Activity, Albatross, Arbiter, Argus, Attacker, Audacity, Battler, Biter, Campania, Chaser, Dasher, Emperor, Empress, Engadine, Fencer, Furious, Hermes, Hunter, Nairana, Patroller, Pegasus, Premier, Pretoria Castle, Puncher, Pursuer, Queen, Rajah, Ranee, Ravager, Reaper, Ruler, Searcher, Smiter, Speaker, Stalker, Striker, Thane, Tracker.
	Atlantic 1939-45 By Navy History Net Battle of the Atlantic by British Forces.com
English Channel 1939-45	Channel coastal convoy escorts, or other forces that took part in a successful action, English Channel and all waters on the south coast between Southend and Bristol, east of a line Ushant to the Scilly Islands then to the north coast of Cornwall between 3rd September 1939 and 8th May 1945. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 811, 812, 818, 819, 825, 841. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships:
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association ENGLISH CHANNEL 1939-45: Sept 3rd 1939-May 1944, June 1944-May 1945 By Navy History Net Channel Dash by British.forces.com
North Sea 1939-45	Coastal convoy escorts, or other forces that took part in a successful action, North Sea and all waters to the eastward between Southend and the Shetland Islands, except coastal waters of Norway between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 803, 811, 812, 826. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships:
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association NORTH SEA 1939-45: Sept 3rd 1939-May 1944, June 1944-May 1945 By Navy History Net
River Plate 1939	Pursuit of the German Battleship Admiral Graf Spee in the South Atlantic on 13 December 1939. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 700. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Achilles, Ajax and Exeter
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association River Plate 1939 By Navy History Net Battle of River Plate Battle of River Plate by British Forces.com
1940
Biscay 1940-45	Patrol or successful engagement of an enemy ship of submarine within the Bay of Biscay from Ushant to Cape Ortegal, from 12W to French coast. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 817. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Archer, Glasgow, Sheffield, Victorious, Warspite
	Biscay 1940-45 By Navy History Net
Norway 1940-45	Operations in coastal waters of Norway as far north as Tromso between 8 April and 8 June 1940, and successful actions in these waters at a later date to May 1945. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 700, 701, 800, 801, 802, 803, 804, 806, 810, 816, 817, 818, 820, 821, 823, 825, 827, 828, 829, 830, 831, 841, 842, 846, 852, 853, 856, 880, 881, 882, 887, 894, 896, 898, 1770, 1771, 1832, 1834, 1836, 1840, 1841, 1842. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Ark Royal, Berwick, Birmingham, Campania, Devonshire, Edinburgh, Emperor, Enterprise, Fencer, Furious, Galatea, Glasgow, Glorious, Implacable, Kent, Kenya, Manchester, Nairana, Nigeria, Norfolk, Penelope, Premier, Pursuer, Queen, Renown, Repulse, Resolution, Rodney, Searcher, Sheffield, Southampton, Suffolk, Sussex, Trumpeter, Victorious, Vindictive, York.
	Tirpitz strike Fleet Air Arm aircrews Kirkenes-Petsamo Fleet air Arm aircrews See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Norway 1940-1945 by British.Forces.com Norway 1940-1945 By Navy History Net The Tirpitz by British Forces.com
Narvik 1940	Forces taking part in the two battles of Narvik 10 and 13 April 1940, during the defence of Norway. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 700, 816, 818. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Warspite
	Fleet Air Arm Konigsberg aircrews See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association WW2 Military and Naval Campaign summaries: Narvik. by Naval History Net
Dunkirk 1940	Operation Dynamo, evacuation of British Expeditionary Force, and other Allied forces, from France, 26 May to 4 June 1940. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 801, 806, 825, 826. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: None
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Dunkirk 1940 (Operation Dynamo) By Navy History Net Dunkirk by British.forces.com
Battle of Britain 1940	Operations by fighter squadrons operating with RAF fighter command over Britain, 10 July and 31 October 1940. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 804, 808 (812 earned but not awarded). Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: None
	Fleet Air Arm Battle of Britain aircrews See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Battle of Britain home page by RAF/MOD Battle of Britain website Battle of Britain web pages Battle of Britain by British Forces.com Battle of Britain net
Mediterranean 1940-45	Forces taking part in operations in the Mediterranean, east of a line Cape Spartel to Cape Trafalgar, not covered by other Battle Honours in the area, between the fall of France in June 1940, and May 1945. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 700, 767, 800, 803, 806, 810, 812, 813, 815, 816, 818, 819, 820, 821, 824, 826, 828, 829, 830. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Ajax, Ark Royal, Atherstone, Barham, Eagle, Formidable, Galatea, Gloucester, Hobart, Illustrious, Kent, Liverpool, Malaya, Mauritius, Newfoundland, Orion, Penelope, Renown, Rodney, Sheffield, Uganda, Valiant, Warspite, York.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Mediterranean 1940-45 By Navy History Net Mediterranean by British.forces.com
Calabria 1940	Forces taking part in the action off Calabria, Italy, 9 July 1940. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 813, 824. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Eagle, Gloucester, Liverpool, Malaya, Orion, Sydney, Warspite.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Calabria 1940 By Navy History Net Calabria 1940 by British.forces.com
Libya 1940-42	Forces involved on inshore operations between Port Said and Benghazi, and support of the army advance in the Western Desert between September 1940 and June 1942. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 803, 805, 813, 815, 819, 821, 824, 826. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: None
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Libya 1940-42 By Navy History Net
Taranto 1940	Forces taking part in Operation Judgement, night air strike on the Italian fleet and harbour at Taranto, 11 November 1940. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 813, 815, 819, 824. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Illustrious.
	Fleet Air Arm Taranto strike aircrews See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Taranto By Navy History Net Battle of Taranto by British.forces.com Taranto by Military history trilogy (Alex's Military history home page) ACA Taranto account of Taranto
Spartivento 1940	Operation Collar, night action against Italian Battleships and Cruisers off Cape Spartivento, Sardinia, 27 November 1940. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 700, 800, 808, 810, 818, 820. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Ark Royal, Berwick, Newcastle, Renown, Sheffield.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Spartinivento By Navy History Net
1941
Malta Convoys 1941-42	Forces taking part in Operations Excess, Substance, Halberd, Harpoon, and Pedestal, diversionary operations and the resupply of aircraft and stores to Malta, between January 1941 and August 1942. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 800, 801, 806, 807, 808, 809, 812, 813, 816, 820, 824, 825, 827, 831, 832, 884, 885. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Ajax, Ark Rooyal, Argus, Eagle, Edinburgh, Furious, Fury, Gloucester, Illustrious, Indomitable, Kenya, Liverpool, Malaya, Manchester, Nelson, Nigeria, Penelope, Prince of Wales, Renown, Rodney,Sheffield, Southampton, Triumph, Valiant, Victorious, Warspite, York.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Malta convoys 1941-42 By Navy History Net The Malta Convoys by British.forces.com Pedestal Convoy (August 1942) by British Forces.com
Matapan 1941	Forces taking part in the night action against the Italian fleet off Cape Matapan, Greece, 28-29 March 1941. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 700, 803, 806, 815, 826, 829. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Ajax, Barham, Formidable, Gloucester, Valiant, and Warspite.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Matapan 1941 By Navy History Net Battle honours: Cape Matapan by British.forces.com Conflicts: Matapan by British forces.com
Crete 1941	Operation Mercury, forces taking part in the defence and evacuation of Crete, 20 May - 1 June 1941. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 805. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Ajax, Barham, Calcutta, Fiji, Formidable, Gloucester, Orion, Perth, Queen Elizabeth, Valiant, Warspite.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Crete 1941 By Navy History Net Battle for Crete by British Forces.com
'Bismarck' 1941	Pursuit and destruction of German Battleship Bismark in North North Atlantic 23 - 27 May 1941. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 800, 808, 810, 818, 820, 825. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Ark Royal, Dorsetshire, Edinburgh, Galatea, Hood, Kenya, King George V, Neptune, Norfolk, Prince of Wales, Renown, Repulse, Rodney, Sheffield, Suffolk, Victorious.
	Fleet Air Arm Bismark strike aircrews See FAA Archive Sink the Bismarck 60th anniversary page FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Bismarck 1941 By Navy History Net The Hunt for the Bismarck by British.forces.com ACA account of the sinking of the Bismarck FAA SIG account of the Bismarck
Arctic 1941-45	Covering forces in support of, and escorts to, the convoys running to and from North Russia; also those ships which operated in the area and took part in a successful action, within the Arctic Circle, except for the coastal waters of Norway to the southward of Tromso, between September 1941 and May 1945. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 802, 809, 811, 813, 816, 819, 822, 824, 825, 832, 833, 835, 842, 846, 853, 856, 882, 883, 893, 1832. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Activity, Argus, Avenger, Belfast, Campania, Chaser, Dasher, Devonshire, Duke of York, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kent, Kenya, King George V, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Nairana, Nigeria, Norfolk, Premier, Renown, Rodney, Sheffield, Shropshire, Striker, Tracker, Victorious, Vindex.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Arctic 1941-45 By Navy History Net The Arctic Convoys by British.forces.com The Arctic 1942-1945 by British Forces.com
1942
Malaya 1942-45	Forces taking part in a successful action in Malacca Strait and waters adjacent to the Malay Peninsular and Sumatra between 7N - 7S and 95 - 108E, January 1942 to August 1945. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 851. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Emperor, Exeter, Perth.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Malaya 1942-45 By Navy History Net
Diego Suarez 1942	Operation Ironclad, in support of landing forces in Madagascar 5 - 7 May 1942. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 800, 806, 810, 827, 829, 831, 880, 881, 882. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Devonshire, Illustrious, Indomitable.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Diego Suarez 1942 By Navy History Net Diego Suarez (Madagascar or Operation Ironclad) 1942 by British.forces.com
North Africa 1942-43	Forces taking part in Operation Torch, the support of landing forces and the army ashore in Algeria and Tunisia, between 8 November 1942 and 20 February 1943. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 700, 800, 801, 802, 804, 807, 809, 817, 820, 822, 832, 933, 880, 882, 883, 884, 885, 888, 891, 893. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Argus, Avenger, Biter, Dasher, Formidable, Furious.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association North Africa 1942-43 Operation Torch By Navy History Net Operation Torch by British.forces.com Mers-El-Kebir, Algeria (Operation Catapult) by British Forces.com Africa 1942, Prelude to El Alamein by British Forces.com El Alamein by British Forces.com North Africa, After El Alamein by British Forces.com Desert Air Force Operations by British Forces.com
1943
Sicily 1943	Forces taking part in Operation Husky, support of landing forces in Sicily, between 10 July and 17 August 1943. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 807, 817, 820, 880, 885, 888, 893, 899. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Atherstone, Formidable, Howe, Indomitable, King George V, Mauritius,Nelson, Newfoundland, Penelope, Rodney, Valiant, Warspite.
	Fleet Air Arm Sicily aircrews See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Sicily 1943 By Navy History Net Sicily by British-forces.com
Salerno 1943	Operation Avalanche, support of landing forces at Salerno on the Mainland of Italy, 9 September to 6 October 1943. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 807, 808, 809, 810, 820, 834, 878, 879, 880, 886, 887, 888, 890, 893, 894, 897, 899. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Attacker, Battler, Formidable, Hunter, Illustrious, Stalker.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Salerno 1943 By Navy History Net
1944
Aegean 1944	Forces engaged with the enemy in all waters of the Aegean Archipeligo, between 35 - 42N and 22 - 30E, January - December 1944. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 800, 807, 809, 879, 881, 899. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Emperor, Khedive, Pursuer, Searcher, Stalker.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Aegean 1943-44 By Navy History Net Aegean 1943-1944 by British.forces.com
Normandy 1944	Operation Neptune, covering and support forces in the Channel, Dover to Ushant, for landings in France, 6 June to 3 July 1944. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 700 warships, 800, 804, 808, 816, 819, 838, 846, 848, 849, 850, 854, 855, 881, 885, 886, 896, 897. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Ajax, Belfast, Emperor, Glasgow, Pursuer, Rodney, Tracker, Warspite.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Normandy 1944 By Navy History Net D-Day by BritishForces.com Operation Neptune by British forces.com
Sabang 1944	Operation Crimson, Task Force 62, air strikes and bombardment of harbour and oil installations in northern Sumatra, 25 July 1944. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 831, 1830, 1833, 1834, 1936, 1837, 1838. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Illustrious, Victorious
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Sabang 1944 By Navy History Net
South France 1944	Operation Dragoon, Task Force 88, support of landing forces on the south coast of France 15 - August 1944. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 800, 807, 809, 879, 881, 882, 899. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Attacker, Emperor, Hunter, Khedive, Pursuer, Searcher, Stalker.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association South France 1944 By Navy History Net
Burma 1944-45	Operations over Burma, October 1944 to April 1945, and May to August 1945. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 800, 804, 807, 808, 809, 815, 851, 896, 1700. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Ameer, Ceylon, Cumberland, Emperor, Empress, Hunter, Kenya, Khedive, Newcastle, Queen Elizabeth, Shah, Stalker, Suffolk, Sussex.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Burma 1944-45 By Navy History Net Burma 1944-1945 by British.forces.com
1945
Palembang 1945	Operation Meridian 1, Task Force 63, air strikes on oil refineries at Pladjoe, on Sumatra, 24 January 1945. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 820, 849, 854, 857, 887, 894, 1770, 1830, 1833, 1834, 1836, 1839, 1844. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Illustrious, Indefatigable, Indomitable and Victorious.
	Fleet Air Arm Palembang aircrews See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Palembang 1945 By Navy History Net The Palembang Strikes by British.forces.com RN and Palembang strikes by British Forces.com
Okinawa 1945	Operation Iceberg, Task Force 57 attacks on airfields in the Sakashima Gunto in the East China Sea, during the assault on Okinawa, 26 March to 25 May 1945. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 820, 848, 849, 854, 857, 885, 887, 894, 1770, 1830, 1833, 1834, 1836, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1844, 1845. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Chaser, Formidable, Gambia, Howe, Illustrious, Indefatigable, Indomitable, King George V, Ruler, Slinger, Speaker, Striker, Victorious.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Okinawa 1945 By Navy History Net
Japan 1945	Fleet Carriers and their Squadrons of Task Force 37 that took part in the final attacks on warships and mainland Japan, 16 July to 11 August 1945. Awarded to Squadron numbers: 801, 820, 828, 848, 849, 880, 887, 1771, 1772, 1834, 1836, 1841, 1842. Awarded to HM aircraft carrying ships: Achilles, Formidable, Gambia, Implacable, Indefatigable, King George V, Uganda, Victorious.
	See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association Japan 1945 By Navy History Net

See FAA History by the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association
CAMPAIGN SUMMARIES OF WORLD WAR 2: BATTLE HONOURS of the ROYAL NAVY 1939-45 including Battle Honours, Campaign Honours, Single-Ship Actions, Royal Marine Corps Memorable Dates. Naval History Net
British and Commonwealth Camnpaigns of World War II by British-Forces.com
The Royal Navy: Battles Honours by British Forces.com
World War 2 Timeline Website A totally comprehensive timeline of world war 2, that covers every event, day by day from 1939 through to 1945.

Created: 3-04-2001, Last Modified 23-07-2002

Return to Home Page

Contact details