INDEX OF NAVAL AIR SQUADRONS

 

  

827 

squadron 
 
Operational History and Background
The squadron was formed in September 1940 as a torpedo spotter reconnaissance Albacore squadron at Yeovilton, moving to Crail before carrying out anti-submarine patrols under 18 Group RAF Coastal Command at Stornaway from March 1941.
In May 1941 the squadron was posted to Thorney Island and St Eval for minelaying operations off Brest and Cherbourg in preparations for possible attacks on the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau.

In July 1941 the squadron joined HMS Victorious to take part in the 30 July attacks on harbour facilities in Kirkenes, Finland, where one Ju87 was destroyed, but the squadron lost 6 of its 12 Albacores.

The remnants of the squadron regrouped at Hatston and embarked on HMS Indomitable in October 1941 for Jamaica, the USA, Capetown and Aden from where the squadron carried out anti-submarine patrols, and took part in the invasion of Madagascar, and subsequently in the operation Pedestal convoys to Malta in August 1942 where 5 squadron officers were killed in attacks on HMS Indomitable.


Barracuda dive bombers of 827 and 830 squadron from the fleet carriers HMS Victorious and
HMS Furious lead the first strike in attacking the German battleship Tirpitz, 3 April 1944

In January 1943 the squadron reformed as a torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadron at Stretton 12 Barracuda IIs, the first operational FAA squadron with Barracuda.
In October 1943 the squadron joined No 8 Naval TBR Wing along with 830 squadron, operating from HMS Furious and Hatston in preparations for duties with the Home Fleet in the Arctic.


Successful attack in Operation Tungsten of 3 April 1944 on the Tirpitz in Kaa Fjord, North Norway by 827 and 830 squadron Barracuda dive-bombers from HMS Furious and HMS Victorious


Barracudas from 827 and 830 squadron landing on after the Tungsten strike, April 1944

In March 1944 the squadron embarked temporarily on HMS Victorious for a successful dive-bombing attack with 830, 829 and 831 squadrons in operation Tungsten which crippled the German Battleship Tirpitz in Kaa Fjord in Arctic Norway on 3 April 1944.
In May 1944 whilst operating from HMS Furious the squadron was successful in attacking and sinking enemy convoys on the coast of Norway, and in July 1944 joined HMS Formidable for further attacks on Tirpitz but was restricted by enemy smoke screens. The 8th TBR Wing Leader L/C RS Baker-Falkner RN and his crew being lost on the return to Scapa.
 
 


Strike leader of the attack on the Tirpitz, Lt Cdr RS Baker-Falkner RN,
Wing Leader of No 8 Naval TBR

In August 1944 the squadron re-embarked on HMS Furious for further operations (operations Goodwood ) against the Tirpitz, when hits were made.


Taken shortly after the Operation Goodwood II strike on 22 August 1944.
Tirpitz is located in the upper right corner, hiding behind the smoke.

salvage being done to the Tirpitz (52090 bytes)
Salvaging the Tirpitz postwar near Tromso

In October 1944 the squadron absorbed 830 squadron and operated from Beccles and Langham as part of 16 Group RAF Coastal Command for attacks on shipping off the Dutch coast in support of the liberation.

In January 1945 the squadron embarked on HMS Colossus to join the British Pacific Fleet, disembarking at Katukurunda, Ceylon to become part of the 14th Carrier Air Group in June 1945, and operating in the Indian Ocean until VJ-Day, not returning to the UK until July 1946.


BLACKBURN FIREBRAND TF.5, EK690 "122/J", 827 Sqn FAA, HMS Eagle, 1952-53 [A0203]
©  Rick Kent FAUCONBERG AEROGRAPHICS

Battle Honours
Diego Suarez 1942, Malta Convoys 1942, Norway 1944

Commanding Officers and Squadron Personnel

  • L/C WGC Stokes, RN Sept 1940-July 1941
  • L/C JA Stewart-Moore, RN July 1941-Aug 1941
  • L/C PGO Sydney-Turner, RN Aug 1941-May 1942
  • L/C DK Buchanon-Dunlop, RN May 1942-Sept 1942
  • Lt RW Little, RN Sept 1942-Feb 1943
  • L/C(A) RS Baker-Falkner, DSC, RN Aug 1943-Oct 1943
  • L/C(A) KH Gibney, DSC, RN Oct 1943-June 1944
  • L/C(A) GR Woolston, RN June 1944-July 1945
  • L/C(A) GR Clarke, RN July 1945-end of WW2


    • Aircraft

  • Albacore I Sept 1940-Jan 1943
  • Barracuda I Jan 1943-July 1943
  • Barracuda II March 1943-end of WW2
  • Fulmar II Nov 1942-Dec 1942
    • Ships and Squadron bases
    To be listed
    The Squadron Today
    Link to current Fleet Air Arm squadron information
    Associations and Reunions
  • 827/830 Naval Air Squadron Reunion (No 8 TBR)

    • Reunion last met 1994. R.T. Matthias, 3 Kennedy Walk, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs., ST9 OEW. Tel: +44 0782 302618
     
    FURTHER INFORMATION
    		  
    Information about 827 in Operation Pedestal and the Malta Convoys.
     WPA Film Library database Wartime footage of The tirpitz bombed vs planes of the Fleet Air Arm taking off from deck of carrier for the attack. Barracuda aircraft returning to the carrier. Fleet Air Arm pilots on the deck posing for camera.
    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 BLACKBURN FIREBRAND T.F. Mk. 5, 827 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, H.M.S. Eagle, 1952-1953
     
            Last Modified: 23-2-2001

     

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