Operational History and Background

The squadron formed for the first time at Lee-on-Solent in June 1943 as a torpedo bomber reconnaissance Barracuda squadron, being allocated to the No 21 Naval TBR Wing in November 1943 at Machrihanish, subsequently embarking on HMS Illustrious for Katukurunda, Ceylon in January 1944, with a detachment on HMS Unicorn for 3 weeks.

In March 1944 HMS Illustrious made abortive sweeps off the Cocos Islands for 3 Japanese cruisers, and in April 1944 the squadron was involved in operations over Sabang, bombing oil tanks and harbour facilities, and subsequently was involved in attacking Port Blair, Andaman Islands.

The squadron was absorbed into 810 at Trincomalee in June 1944 and ceased to exist.

Battle Honours
Sumatra 1944

Commanding Officers and Squadron Personnel

L/C(A) PC Whitfield, RN June 1943-July 1943

L/C(A) JL Cullen, RN July 1943-June 1944

Aircraft
• Barracuda II June 1943-June 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   847 squadron today. MOD website 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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