Operational History and Background

The squadron formed at Yeovilton as a 2-seater fighter squadron with 12 Firefly Is in February 1944.

In September 1944 the squadron embarked on HMS Implacable, and in October 1944 was involved in aerial reconnaissance of the new anchorage for the German battleship Tirpitz near Tromso, after it had been towed from its former haunt at Kaa Fjord, Northern Norway.

The squadron continued to operate off Norway to carry out anti-shipping strikes, destroying 1 troopship and damaging 4 other ships.
 
 

Firefly F Mk.II "Evelyn Tensions" DK431 "275/N" of 1771 Squadron, HMS Implacable BPF March 1945
© Scott Fraser

In March 1945 the squadron embarked on HMS Implacable for the British Pacific Fleet, and after being shore-based for 3 weeks at Jervis Bay re-embarked as part of the 8th Carrier Air Group to take part in the attacks on Truk in June 1945, and subsequently attacks on the Japanese mainland. The squadron returned to Nowra, Australia after VJ-Day in mid September 1945.

Preserved Fleet Air Arm Museum Firefly in the markings of "Evelyn Tensions" 1771 squadron 1945

Battle Honours
Norway 1944, Japan 1945

Commanding Officers and Squadron Personnel

Lt(A) HM Ellis, DFC, DSC, RN Feb 1944-March 1945

L/C(A) WJR MacWhirter, DSC, RN March 1945-end of WW2

Aircraft

Firefly I Feb 1944-Sept 1945

Ships and Squadron bases
To be listed

The Squadron Today
Link to current Fleet Air Arm squadron information

Associations and Reunions
No information

FURTHER INFORMATION   World Aircraft Carrier Lists and Photo Gallery - from 1913 to 2000. Naval History Information Center, Haze Gray & Underway American based World Aircraft Carrier Lists & Photo Gallery - one of the definitive online sources for British and world aircraft carrier & seaplane tender data, histories and images - over 1000 photos.  Sturtivant, R & Ballance, T  (1994). 'The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm' Published by Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1994 ISBN: 0 85130 223 8   Robert Horsten's FAA Squadrons   An A-Z of Aircraft Profiles by FAUCONBERG AEROGRAPHICS including FAIREY FIREFLY F.R. Mk. I, 1771 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service, H.M.S. Implacable, British Pacific Fleet, March 1945 The following profiles are offered by Scott Fraser, owner of Tally Ho! decals, Firefly F Mk.II, 1771 Squadron, HMS Implacable

        Last Modified: 23-2-2001

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