Operational History and Background

The squadron officially formed at Quonset Point, USA in February 1943 as a torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadron of 12 Avenger Is, subsequently embarking on HMS Chaser for the UK.

At Machrihanish in January 1944 the squadron was intended to join No 31 Naval TBR Wing and embark on HMS Victorious, but instead a fighter flight of 4 Wildcats was added at Eglington and in March the squadron embarked on HMS Atheling, HMS Engadine and SS Strathnaver for Katukurunda, Ceylon, where the fighter flight disbanded.
In May 1944 the squadron embarked on HMS Illustrious, and took part in operations against oil refinery and harbour installations in Sourabaya, Java, and subsequently transferred to HMS Ameer for trade protection duties in the Indian Ocean.

In February and April 1945 the squadron embarked on HMS Empress for anti-submarine patrols during Operation Stacey in Malaya and Sumatra, returning after the second mission on HMS Khedive.

In June 1945 a detachment of 4 Avengers embarked on HMS Shah for anti-submarine duties during strikes in Sumatra, and in July the entire squadron prepared for an intended strike on Penang which was subsequently cancelled when the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan, and the ship returned to Trincomalee.

After VJ-Day the squadron returned to the UK on HMS Shah without its aircraft in September 1945.

Battle Honours
Java 1945, Malaya, 1945

Commanding Officers and Squadron Personnel

• L/C WH Crawford, RN Feb 1943-Oct 1943
• L/C(A) JF Arnold, RN Oct 1943-May 1945
• L/C(A) DS Watts, RNVR May 1945-end of WW2

Aircraft

Avenger I Feb 1943-Sept 1945

Wildcat V Feb 1944-Feb 1945

Ships and Squadron bases
To be listed

The Squadron Today
Link to current Fleet Air Arm squadron information

Associations and Reunions

845 Naval Air Squadrons. Reunion.

Reunion at Dorchester on Thames. Contact details via FAAOA

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.  845 squadron today. MOD website 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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