827 Naval Air Squadron
| 827 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Squadron badge | |
| Active | 15 September 1940 – 24 July 1946 15 August 1946 – 22 November 1950 13 December 1950 – 3 December 1952 1 November 1954 – 22 November 1955 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance squadron |
| Role | Carrier-based Maritime Strike |
| Size | Squadron |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Motto(s) | Ya-mansur-amit (Arabic for 'O! Conqueror fight desperately') |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Battle honours |
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Lieutenant Commander(A) Roy Baker-Falkner, DSC, RN |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge Description | Per fess wavy white and barry wavy of six blue and white, a rod of Caduceus and a trident in satire gold in chief a winged cap red (1944) |
| Identification Markings |
|
| Fin Carrier/Shore Codes |
|
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | |
| Bomber | |
| Fighter | Fairey Firefly |
827 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). 827 Naval Air Squadron was established in September 1940, as a Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance (TSR) unit at HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton. It trained at HMS Jackdaw, RNAS Crail, before joining RAF Coastal Command for convoy protection and minelaying from RAF Thorney Island and RAF St Eval. In June 1941, it moved north to HMS Landrail, RNAS Machrihanish and HMS Merlin, RNAS Donibristle, to attack the battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. In July, the squadron embarked HMS Victorious for a raid on Kirkenes, during which it lost half of its aircraft, but managed to shoot down a Ju87.
In October 1941, the squadron re-assembled and embarked in HMS Indomitable for a journey that took them to the United States and Jamaica before proceeding around the Cape of Good Hope to Aden Colony. Utilising both the carrier and various airbases, the squadron conducted anti-submarine patrols in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. In May 1942, it participated in the invasion of Madagascar. Subsequently, the ship sailed to Gibraltar in preparation for Operation Pedestal, the Malta convoy in August, during which the squadron suffered the loss of five officers due to attacks on the carrier.
In May 1943, it became the first FAA squadron to receive Fairey Barracuda in any substantial number. It later became part of the 8th Naval TBR Wing, aboard HMS Furious with HMS Sparrowhawk, RNAS Hatston, as an airbase. The squadron transferred for one of two spells aboard HMS Victorious and was led by Strike leader Roy Sydney Baker-Falkner in the attack on the German battleship Tirpitz in Operation Tungsten on 3 April 1944. During the dive bombing attack, ten hits were recorded in conjunction with the 830 Naval Air Squadron. A subsequent assault on the battleship Tirpitz occurred in July from HMS Formidable, where a smokescreen provided effective cover for the battleship. However, in August, two successful hits were achieved while operating from HMS Furious.
The squadron relocated to RAF Beccles and RAF Langham to collaborate with No. 16 Group, RAF Coastal Command, along the Dutch coastline. In January 1945, it boarded HMS Colossus with plans to join the British Pacific Fleet. Upon reaching Ceylon, the squadron disembarked and became part of the 14th Carrier Air Group, but remaining on land until the conclusion of the war.
Post-war it initially operated the Blackburn Firebrand strike fighter, until 1954 when the squadron began operating Westland Wyverns.[1]
History
[edit]Torpedo, spotter, reconnaissance squadron (1940–1946)
[edit]827 Naval Air Squadron was established at RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron) in Somerset on 15 September 1940, functioning as a Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance (TSR) unit and initially equipped with twelve Fairey Albacore aircraft, a biplane torpedo bomber.[2]
Subsequent to work-up at RNAS Crail (HMS Jackdaw), Fife, in Scotland, the unit conducted anti-submarine patrols and provided convoy escorts from RAF Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, under the auspices of RAF Coastal Command. In May 1941, they relocated southward to prepare for assaults on the Kriegsmarine battle cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, during which time they executed seven nocturnal mine-laying missions off the coasts of Brest and Cherbourg, France.[3][4]
On 2 July, the squadron embarked in the Illustrious-class aircraft carrier HMS Victorious, to execute an assault on Kirkenes harbour in northern Norway on the 30, resulting in the loss of six aircraft; however, one pilot successfully downed a Junkers Ju 87 dive-bomber, using the forward-mounted gun.[2]
In August 1941, the squadron consolidated at RNAS Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk), Mainland, Orkney, and it embarked in the Illustrious-class aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable, in October, on a journey to the USA and Jamaica, subsequently proceeding around the Cape to Aden, where it arrived in January 1942. Utilising the carrier along with several shore bases, 827 Naval Air Squadron conducted anti-submarine patrols in both the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.[4] The squadron participated in the invasion of Madagascar in May 1942, albeit with only nine aircraft operational.[2]
The carrier departed for Gibraltar, once more navigating around the Cape. A detachment of four aircraft was deployed from HMS Indomitable to the RN Air Section at the South African Air Force Station Stamford Hill, Durban, South Africa, between 13 and 18 July 1942.[5] In August 1942, during Operation Pedestal, a rapid reinforcement convoy to Malta, five squadron officers lost their lives due to assaults on the ship. Following provisional repairs, HMS Indomitable made its way back home, allowing 827 Naval Air Squadron personnel to disembark for regrouping.[4]
In January 1943, 827 Naval Air Squadron was re-equipped at RNAS Stretton (HMS Blackcap), Cheshire, with twelve Fairey Barracuda Mk II torpedo bomber aircraft, which decreased to nine aircraft by September.[2] The squadron became part of the 8th Naval TBR (Torpedo, Bomber and Reconnaissance) Wing in October,[6] serving with the Home Fleet aboard HMS Furious, the Courageous-class battlecruiser modified as an aircraft carrier. In March 1944, it was temporarily assigned to HMS Victorious, where it participated in a successful dive-bombing mission against the battleship Tirpitz on 3 April, achieving ten hits in collaboration with 830 Naval Air Squadron.[2]
Anti-shipping operations conducted from HMS Furious off the coast of Norway during April and May of 1944 occurred despite extremely harsh weather conditions. A subsequent assault on the Tirpitz took place in July 1944, launched from the Illustrious-class aircraft carrier, HMS Formidable, where a smokescreen provided protection for the vessel; however, two successful strikes were achieved during an operation from HMS Furious in August 1944.[4]
In October 1944, the squadron integrated 830 Naval Air Squadron, increasing its fleet to eighteen aircraft. It subsequently relocated to RAF Beccles, Suffolk and RAF Langham, Norfolk, to collaborate with No. 16 Group of RAF Coastal Command over the Dutch coastline. In January 1945, the squadron boarded the Colossus-class light aircraft carrier HMS Colossus, aiming to join the British Pacific Fleet. However, during its journey, the number of aircraft was reduced to twelve at RNAS Dekheila (HMS Grebe) in Alexandria, Egypt. Upon reaching Ceylon, the squadron disembarked and became part of the 14th Carrier Air Group, remaining on land until the end of the Second World War.[2]
The carrier remained in the Far East until December and after a prolonged stay in Cape Town, South Africa, where the squadron's Fairey Barracuda disembarked to RNAS Wingfield (HMS Malagas) between 17 January and 18 April,[7] it then set sail for the United Kingdom, where the squadron was officially disbanded at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) in Hampshire on 24 July 1946.[4]
Fighter reconnaissance squadron (1946–1950)
[edit]On 15 August 1946, 827 Naval Air Squadron was re-established at RNAS Eglinton (HMS Gannet) in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, as a fighter reconnaissance squadron equipped with twelve Fairey Firefly FR. I aircraft, a British carrier-borne fighter and aerial reconnaissance aircraft.[4] By October, the squadron had integrated into the 13th Carrier Air Group, which deployed aboard the Colossus-class aircraft carrier HMS Triumph,[8] in January, for a two-year mission in the Mediterranean, operating primarily from Malta. In July 1948, alongside 800 Naval Air Squadron, a detachment from 827 Naval Air Squadron undertook a five-day tour to showcase naval presence in Turkey, visiting Etimesgut, Eskişehir, and Istanbul, before re-joining the carrier near İzmir.[9]
In March 1949, the squadron returned home and received twelve new Fairey Firefly FR.I aircraft, which were deployed to the Mediterranean the following month. In June 1949, four Fairey Firefly NF.MK I, "night fighter" variant, from the Night Fighter Unit of 812 Naval Air Squadron were integrated as Black Flight. This unit was fully incorporated into the squadron by August, coinciding with the squadron's deployment to the Far East, while the flight personnel returned to Malta in November.[10]
Operations supporting the Army commenced in October against Malayan bandits.[11] When the Korean War erupted in June 1950, 827 Naval Air Squadron deployed with twelve Fairey Firefly FR.1 fighter / reconnaissance aircraft to conduct anti-submarine patrols, assist with the landings at Inchon, provide bombardment spotting, and engage shore targets.[12] In September, the ship returned home via Singapore[4] and 827 Naval Air Squadron was officially disbanded at RNAS Ford (HMS Peregrine), Sussex, on 22 November.[13]
Single-seat torpedo strike squadron (1950–1952)
[edit]827 Naval Air Squadron was reformed at RNAS Ford, in December 1950 as a single-seater torpedo strike squadron, equipped with twelve Blackburn Firebrand TF.5 strike fighter aircraft,[13] making it one of only two front-line squadrons to utilise this model.[14] Although the concept did not achieve significant success, the squadron deployed to Malta in May 1951[13] and joined the lead ship of her class of aircraft carrier, HMS Illustrious, in October for its return to the United Kingdom. In June 1952, the squadron embarked in the Audacious-class aircraft carrier HMS Eagle for a summer cruise and later participated in a NATO exercise off the coast of Norway in September. Following Arctic trials conducted by the ship in November, the squadron was disbanded once more upon its return to RNAS Ford in December.[15]
Wyvern S.4 (1954–1955)
[edit]In November 1954, 827 Naval Air Squadron was re-established again at RNAS Ford,[13] originating from the core of 703W Flight[16] and was equipped with nine Westland Wyvern S.4 strike fighter aircraft designated for torpedo strike operations. The squadron embarked in HMS Eagle in May 1955[17] and engaged in joint exercises with the US Navy in the Mediterranean in June. In September, they participated in a NATO exercise off the coast of Norway. Following another exercise in the Moray Firth in October, the squadron returned to RNAS Ford on 19 November and was subsequently disbanded.[15]
Aircraft flown
[edit]The squadron has flown a number of different aircraft types, including:[15]
- Fairey Albacore torpedo bomber (September 1940 - January 1943)
- Fairey Barracuda Mk I torpedo and dive bomber (January - July 1943)
- Fairey Barracuda Mk II torpedo and dive bomber (March 1943 - July 1946)
- Fairey Firefly FR.I Fighter/reconnaissance aircraft (August 1946 - November 1950, January - May 1952)
- Fairey Firefly NF.1 Night fighter (June 1949 - June 1950)
- Blackburn Firebrand TF.5 Strike fighter (December 1950 - December 1952)
- Westland Wyvern S.4 Strike aircraft (November 1954 - December 1955)
Battle honours
[edit]The Battle Honours awarded to 827 Naval Air Squadron are:
Assignments
[edit]827 Naval Air Squadron was assigned as needed to form part of a number of larger units:[22]
- 8th Naval TBR Wing (25 October 1943 - 3 October 1944)
- 14th Carrier Air Group (30 June 1945 - 23 July 1946)
- 13th Carrier Air Group (1 October 1946 - 15 November 1950, August 1951 - 3 December 1952)[8]
Naval air stations
[edit]827 Naval Air Squadron operated mostly from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force stations in the UK and overseas and a number of Royal Navy fleet carriers:[15]
- Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton (HMS Heron) (15 September - 2 November 1940)
- Royal Naval Air Station Crail (HMS Jackdaw) (2 November 1940 - 14 March 1941)
- HMS Argus (Deck Landing Training (DLT) 9 - 11 March 1941)
- Royal Air Force Stornoway (18 Gp) (14 March - 1 May 1941)
- Royal Air Force Thorney Island (1 - 14 May 1941)
- Royal Air Force St Eval (14 May - 5 June 1941)
- Royal Naval Air Station Donibristle (HMS Merlin) (5 - 27 June 1941)
- Royal Naval Air Station Machrihanish (HMS Landrail) (27 June - 1 July 1941)
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (1 - 2 July 1941)
- HMS Victorious (2 July - 15 August 1941)
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (15 August -10 October 1941)
- Royal Naval Air Station Machrihanish (HMS Landrail) (10 - 13 October 1941)
- HMS Indomitable (13 October - 10 November 1941)
- RN Air Section Norfolk (10 - 22 November 1941)
- HMS Indomitable (22 November 1941 - 12 January 1942)
- RN Air Section Wynberg (Detachment three aircraft 2 - 6 January 1942)
- Royal Air Force Khormaksar (12 January - 23 February 1942)
- HMS Indomitable (23 February - 16 June 1942)
- Royal Air Force Juhu (Detachment 14 - 20 April 1942)
- RN Air Sectrion Port Reitz (Detachment six aircraft 22 May - 10 June 1942)
- RN Air Section Port Reitz (16 June - 9 July 1942)
- HMS Indomitable (9 July - 28 August 1942)
- RN Air Section Durban Stamford Hill (Detachment 13 - 18 July 1942)
- Royal Naval Air Station Machrihanish (HMS Landrail) (28 August - 23 September 1942)
- Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) (23 September - 15 December 1942)
- Royal Naval Air Station Stretton (HMS Blackcap) (15 December - 12 February 1943)
- Royal Naval Air Station Machrihanish (HMS Landrail) (12 February - 2 April 1943)
- Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) (2 - 24 April 1943)
- Royal Naval Air Station Dunino (HMS Jackdaw II) (24 April - 12 August 1943)
- Royal Naval Air Station Machrihanish (HMS Landrail) (12 August - 11 October 1943)
- HMS Furious (11 October - 6 December 1943)
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (6 - 10 December 1943)
- HMS Furious (10 - 14 December 1943)
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (14 - 26 December 1943)
- HMS Furious (26 December 1943 - 3 January 1944)
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (3 January - 8 February 1944)
- HMS Furious (8 - 14 February 1944)
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (14 - 24 February 1944)
- HMS Furious (24 - 29 February 1944)
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (29 February - 17 March 1944)
- HMS Furious (17 - 22 March 1944
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (22 - 30 March 1944)
- HMS Victorious (30 March - 7 April 1944)
- Royal Naval Air Station Donibristle (HMS Merlin) (7 - 20 April 1944)
- HMS Victorious (20 - 28 April 1944)
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (28 April - 3 May 1944)
- HMS Furious (3 - 18 May 1944)
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (18 - 28 May 1944)
- HMS Furious (28 May - 17 June 1944)
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (17 - 22 June 1944)
- HMS Furious (22 - 23 June 1944)
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (23 June - 14 July 1944)
- HMS Formidable (14 - 19 July 1944)
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (19 July - 11 September 1944)
- HMS Furious (Detachment five aircraft 9 August - 9 September 1944)
- HMS Furious (11 - 13 September 1944)
- Royal Naval Air Station Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) (13 September - 11 October 1944)
- HMS Furious (11 - 15 October 1944)
- Royal Air Force Beccles (16 Gp) (15 - 28 October 1944)
- Royal Air Force Langham (16 Gp) (28 October - 14 December 1944)
- Royal Naval Air Station Machrihanish (HMS Landrail) (14 December - 13 January 1945)
Commanding officers
[edit]List of commanding officers of 827 Naval Air Squadron:[15]
1941 - 1946
- Lieutenant Commander W.G.C. Stokes, RN, from 15 September 1940 (Commander 30 June 1941)
- Lieutenant Commander J.A. Stewart-Moore, RN, from 18 July 1941
- Lieutenant Commander P.G.O. Sydney-Turner, RN, from 21 August 1941
- Lieutenant Commander D.K. Buchanan-Dunlop, RN, from 23 April 1942
- Lieutenant R.W. Little, DSC, RN, from 2 September 1942
- Lieutenant Commander(A) J.S. Bailey, RN, 15 December 1942
- Lieutenant Commander(A) R.S. Baker-Falkner, DSC, RN, from 14 July 1943
- Lieutenant Commander(A) K.H. Gibney, DSC, RN, from 25 October 1943
- Lieutenant Commander(A) G.R. Woolston, RN, from 26 June 1944
- Lieutenant Commander(A) G.R. Clarke, RN, 6 July 1945
- Lieutenant Commander(A) L.R. Thy, RN, 16 December 1945
- disbanded - 24 July 1946
1946 - 1950
- Lieutenant Commander P.C. Heath, RN, from 15 August 1946
- Lieutenant Commander P.B. Jackson, RN, from 18 April 1949
- Lieutenant Commander N. Matthews, DSC, RN, 24 October 1949
- Lieutenant Commander B.C. Lyons, RN, from 11 December 1949
- disbanded - 22 November 1950
1950 - 1952
- Lieutenant Commander R.D. Henderson, RN, from 13 December 1950
- Lieutenant Commander L.G. Morris, RN, from 11 July 1952
- disbanded - 3 December 1952
1954 - 1955
- Lieutenant Commander S.J.A. Richardson, RN, from 1 November 1954
- disbanded - 22 November 1955
Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[23]
Citations
[edit]- ^ Sturtivant, pp. 279–281
- ^ a b c d e f Wragg 2019, p. 163.
- ^ "Stornoway". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 187.
- ^ "Stamford Hill". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Wragg 2019, p. 201.
- ^ "Wingfield". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ a b Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 306.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 102.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, pp. 137&187.
- ^ "Sembawang". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Thetford 1991, p. 175.
- ^ a b c d "Ford". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Thetford 1991, p. 63.
- ^ a b c d e Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 188.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 9.
- ^ Thetford 1991, p. 356.
- ^ "Diego Suarez 1942". britainsnavy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Malta Convoys 1941-42". britainsnavy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Norway 1940-45". britainsnavy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Korea 1950-53". britainsnavy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ Wragg 2019, pp. 201&203.
- ^ Wragg 2019, p. 257.
Bibliography
[edit]- Ballance, Theo; Howard, Lee; Sturtivant, Ray (2016). The Squadrons and Units of the Fleet Air Arm. Air Britain Historians Limited. ISBN 978-0-85130-489-2.
- Sturtivant, Ray (1984). The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm. Tonbridge, Uk: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-120-7.
- Thetford, Owen (1991). British Naval Aircraft since 1912. London, UK: Putnam Aeronautical Books, an imprint of Conway Maritime Press Ltd. ISBN 0-85177-849-6.
- Wragg, David (2019). The Fleet Air Arm Handbook 1939-1945. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7509-9303-6.
