Operational History and Background

The squadron was formed in April 1941 as a torpedo spotter reconnaissance Albacore squadron, embarking on HMS Indomitable for Jamaica in October 1941, the ship then sailing to Cape Town, Port Sudan and Java transporting 50 RAF Hurricanes. The squadron remained at China Bay and Ratmalana till February and thence embarked on HMS Indomitable, taking part in the invasion of Madagascar in June 1942.

After damage to HMS Indomitable by enemy attacks on Malta convoys, the squadron disembarked at Crail in August 1942 whilst the ship sailed to the USA for repairs.
In December 1942 a few Barracuda I were added to the Albacores of the squadron, bur re-equipping entirely with 12 Barracuda II in May 1943 at Lee-on-Solent.

In November 1943 the squadron joined No 52 TBR Wing with 829 squadron at Machrihanish, undertaking DLT from HMS Victorious in February 1944.

Successful attack in Operation Tungsten of 3 April 1944 on the Tirpitz in Kaa Fjord, North Norway by No 52 TBR of 829 and 831 squadron and No 8 TBR Barracuda dive-bombers from HMS Furious and HMS Victorious

In March 1944 the squadron embarked temporarily on HMS Furious for a successful dive-bombing attack on 3 April 1944 with 827, 829 and 830 squadrons on the German battleship Tirpitz in Kaa Fjord, north Norway. The squadron then returned to Hatston.
In May 1944 whilst operating from HMS Victorious the squadron was involved in strikes against enemy shipping off the coast of Norway and then returned to Scapa.
Subsequently, the squadron sailed with HMS Victorious to join the Eastern Fleet, and absorbed 829 squadron in July 1944 after the Wing ceased to exist.

In July 1944 the squadron dive bombed oil storage facilities and airfields at Sabang, Sumatra, then in August targets on Emmahaven.

Due to the poor performance of the Barracuda in the tropical climate, the squadron left its aircraft in November 1944 and returned to the UK in HMS Battler and HMS Thane, disbanding in December 1944.

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

Commanding Officers and Squadron Personnel

L/C PL Mortimer, RN April 1941-July 1942

L/C AG Leatham, RN July 1942-May 1943

L/C(A) DEC Eyres, RN May 1943-Sept 1943

L/C EM Britton, RN Sept 1943-Jan 1944

L/C V Rance, RN, Jan 1944-Feb 1944

L/C(A) D Brooks, DSC, RNVR, Feb 1944-May 1944

L/C(A) JL Fisher, RNVR May 1944-Dec 1944

Aircraft

Albacore I April 1941-June 1943

Barracuda I Dec 1942-Jan 1943

Barracuda II June 1943-Nov 1944

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   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. Vs 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

        Last Modified: 23-2-2001

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