Operational History and Background

The squadron officially formed for the first time at Dartmouth, Canada in May 1942 as a torpedo bomber reconnaissance Swordfish squadron for service with escort carriers. The squadron flew to USNAS Alameda Island, USA in August 1942, embarking on HMS Attacker in December 1942 for the Panama Canal, returning to Quonset Point, and subsequently re-embarking for convoy duties to Curacao.

In April 1943, at Machrihanish the squadron was allocated for MAC-ship service, after training on HMS Argus and HMS Activity, and embarked for trials on the MAC-ship Rapana in August 1943, after which the squadron was merged into 836 squadron as L Flight.

The squadron reformed in November 1943 at Belfast with 4 Swordfish IIs, working up in HMS Nairana. In April 1944 the squadron joined 156 Wing RAF Coastal Command at Harrowbeer for operations in the English Channel, subsequently joining RAF coastal Command in Fraserburgh in October 1944. Later in October 1944 a fighter flight of 4 Wildcat IVs was formed at Eglington but subsequently transferred to 856 squadron.
In November 1944 the squadron moved to Thorney Island and disbanded in February 1945.

Battle Honours
Atlantic 1943, Normandy 1944.

Commanding Officers and Squadron Personnel

L/C JRC Callandar, RN May 1942-June 1943

L/C(A) RG Large, RNVR June 1943-Aug 1943

L/C(A) JM Brown, DSC, RNVR Nov 1943-Aug 1944

L/C P Snow, RN Aug 1944-Feb 1945

Aircraft

Swordfish I May 1942-April 1943

Swordfish II April 1943-Feb 1945

Swordfish III May 1944-Feb 1945

Wildcat VI Oct 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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