Operational History and Background

The squadron officially formed for the first time at Palisadoes, Jamaica in December 1941 as a torpedo bomber reconnaissance Swordfish squadron, subsequently embarking on the first American built escort carrier HMS Archer in March 1942 in Floyd Bennett Field, USA for South Africa.

Subsequently the squadron was involved in convoy duties to the USA and Gibraltar.
In February 1943 the squadron joined 19 Group RAF Coastal Command for duties in the English Channel.

In June 1943 a fighter flight of 6 Seafire L.IICs were added, and the squadron embarked on HMS Hunter in July for Gibraltar, taking part in the Salerno landings and subsequently transferring in September 1943 to HMS Battler for Aden and subsequently Bombay, to provide anti-submarine patrols and to give support to convoys in the Indian Ocean.
On 12 March 1944 the squadron located the German tanker Brake which was subsequently sunk by HMS Roebuck near Mauritius, and also after sighting 2 U-Boats one was claimed as probably damaged by squadron aircraft.

In April 1944 the squadron was augmented by a fighter flight of 6 Wildcat Vs in Puttalam, Southern India, joining the remainder of the squadron in July 1944 in Katukurunda, Ceylon, when the Seafires were withdrawn.

The squadron then embarked on HMS Battler from August till September 1944 on trade protection duties. The squadron crew returning to UK without their aircraft in HMS Battler and HMS Thane in November 1944 disbanding in December 1944.

Battle Honours
Salerno 1943

Commanding Officers and Squadron Personnel

L/C LCB Ashburner, RN Nov 1941-Nov 1941

Lt LG Wilson, RN Nov 1941-Jan 1943

L/C(A) ED Child, RN Jan 1943-Aug 1944

L/C(A) DW Phillips, DSC, RN, Aug 1944-Dec 1944

Aircraft

Swordfish I Dec 1941-April 1943

Swordfish II Sept 1942-Nov 1944

Seafire L.IIc June 1943-Aug 1944

Wildcat V April 1944-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   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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