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816 Naval Air Squadron
816 Naval Air Squadron (816 NAS) was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN) which formed at the start of the Second World War. It was first formed in March 1939, aboard the carrier HMS Furious, to support anti-submarine and strike missions for North Atlantic convoys. It conducted the first aerial torpedo attack of the war during the Norwegian Campaign in April 1940. An attack on the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst was attempted in September 1940, and on the squadron joined RAF Coastal Command in March 1941 for operations along the Dutch and French coasts. The squadron re-embarked on HMS Furious in June 1941 to provide anti-submarine cover while RAF aircraft were sent to Malta. On the return trip, it transferred to HMS Ark Royal and stayed with her until she sank in November 1941 It was reformed in February 1942, in Palisadoes, Jamaica, as a TBR squadron that joined HMS Avenger to escort a convoy from the USA to the UK. The squadron joined HMS Dasher in February 1943 for Arctic convoy escort but faced heavy losses when the ship exploded in March 1943, during exercises in the Firth of Clyde. It regrouped at RNAS Machrihanish with new aircraft and by May 1943 was able to target German shipping in the English Channel. Later the squadron then embarked on HMS Tracker for North Atlantic convoys. In March, an aircraft assisted the destroyer HMS Onslaught in sinking a German U-boat, followed by further operations in the days that followed. It took part in operations in the English Channel to support the Normandy landings. Disbanded at RAF Perranporth in August 1944, it reformed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent in February 1945, as a torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadron on a light fleet carrier and stayed active until 1948. In 1948 it was re-formed as 816 Squadron RAN a Royal Australian Navy, Fleet Air Arm (RAN) squadron with Fairey Firefly and embarked on HMAS Sydney. HistoryTorpedo, Bomber, Reconnaissance Squadron (1939-1941)816 Naval Air Squadron was established on 3 October 1939, aboard the Courageous-class battlecruiser, converted to an aircraft carrier, HMS Furious, equipped with nine Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bombers. Its primary mission was to deliver anti-submarine warfare capabilities and strike support for convoys traversing the North Atlantic.[1] In April 1940, the vessel participated in military operations aimed at defending Norway. Notably, on 11 April, it executed the first airborne torpedo assault of the conflict, as eighteen aircraft from 816 and 818 Naval Air Squadrons targeted two Destroyers located in Trondheim Fjord.[2] The squadron initiated its transition to floatplanes in May; however, the evacuation of France necessitated a revision of this strategy.[1] It temporarily conducted operations from Jersey Airport, also known as RNAS Jersey. On 4 June, nine Fairey Swordfish aircraft from the Torpedo, Bomber, and Reconnaissance Squadron arrived from RNAS Ford (HMS Peregrine), Sussex, for a week of operations, remaining until 11.[3] In June 1940, the unit re-boarded the aircraft carrier. An assault was launched against the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst in September 1940, and on September 22, 1940, five aircraft were lost during an operation targeting shipping at Trondheim[1] and on 16 October, a night-time aerial assault targeted the fuel storage facilities located in Tromsø.[2] The squadron joined RAF Coastal Command in March 1941, engaging in operations along the coasts of the Netherlands and France. In April 1941, three aircraft were assigned to RAF Detling, Kent, where they established 816X Flight, which subsequently served as the foundation for 821 Naval Air Squadron. In June 1941, the squadron re-boarded the aircraft carrier HMS Furious to deliver anti-submarine protection while RAF aircraft were transported to Malta.[1] In July, it was assigned to the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, where it operated in the Mediterranean until the carrier was torpedoed on 13 November. Subsequently, the remaining elements of the squadron were integrated into 812 Naval Air Squadron, leading to the disbandment of 816 Naval Air Squadron.[2] Torpedo, Bomber, Reconnaissance Squadron (1942-1944)The squadron was reformed at RNAS Palisadoes (HMS Buzzard), Jamaica, on 1 February 1942, equipped with four Fairey Swordfish I aircraft.[4] The unit was transferred to the RN Air Section Norfolk, located at USNAS Norfolk in Virginia, on 22 March 1942, and subsequently boarded the name ship of her class of escort carrier, HMS Avenger on 3 May 1942.[5] Just after 5 am on 4 May, HMS Avenger deployed two Fairey Swordfish aircraft for a dawn patrol mission. By 9 am, the aircraft had not returned, prompting the dispatch of the USS Rowan to conduct a search approximately 10 miles (16 km) behind the convoy. Unfortunately, no evidence of the aircraft or the six crew members was discovered. It was suspected that adverse weather conditions and limited visibility hindered their ability to locate the carrier, leading them to ditch the aircraft after exhausting their fuel supply. Continued poor weather conditions precluded any further flight operations during the passage. HMS Avenger ultimately reached the Clyde on 11 May, while 816 Naval Air Squadron proceeded to RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), Hampshire, for re-equipment.[6] Following the re-equipping with six Fairey Swordfish II aircraft and subsequent working up, the squadron conducted night operations in the English Channel from September to December, under the auspices of RAF Coastal Command. In February 1943, the squadron was assigned to the Avenger-class escort carrier HMS Dasher for the purpose of supporting North Russian convoy missions. However, on 27 March 1943, the vessel suffered a catastrophic explosion in the Clyde due to an accident, resulting in significant casualties, including the loss of the squadron's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant R.C.B. Stallard-Penoyre.[2] 816 Naval Air Squadron reassembled at RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail) in Argyll and Bute, where it was equipped with six new Fairey Swordfish II aircraft. In May, the squadron conducted operations targeting German shipping in the English Channel. By June, it relocated to RNAS Fearn (HMS Owl) in Ross and Cromarty, where it integrated half of 895 Naval Air Squadron to establish a fighter flight, utilising six Supermarine Seafire L Mk.IIc fighter aircraft.[1]  Subsequently, these aircraft were reassigned to 897 Naval Air Squadron. Following this, the squadron received six Supermarine Seafire Mk.Ib aircraft and there was an increase in the number of Fairey Swordfish from six to nine. The squadron then embarked on Attacker-class escort carrier, HMS Tracker to participate in North Atlantic convoy operations. The Supermarine Seafire were replaced by Grumman Wildcat Mk IV fighter aircraft with in January 1944, after which the squadron was transferred to sister ship, HMS Chaser to serve in the Arctic convoys.[2] On 4 March, aircraft 'B' assisted HMS Onslaught in the sinking of the German submarine U-472.[2] In the subsequent days, the aircraft of the squadron successfully sank both the German submarines U-366 and U-973.[1] The Grumman Wildcat aircraft were reallocated to assist in the establishment of 833 Naval Air Squadron. Subsequently, the number of Fairey Swordfish aircraft rose to twelve. Utilising this increased strength, the squadron conducted operations in the English Channel in collaboration with RAF Coastal Command, during the Normandy invasion, until their disbandment at RAF Perranporth, Cornwall, in August.[7] Torpedo, Bomber, Reconnaissance Squadron (1945-1948)816 Naval Air Squadron reformed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), Hampshire, on 1 February 1945, with eighteen Fairey Barracuda Mk II, a torpedo and dive bomber, designated for torpedo bomber reconnaissance operations, aboard a light fleet carrier.[7] The objective was to embark in a Colossus-class aircraft carrier with a diminished capacity of twelve aircraft, contributing to the formation of the anticipated 20th Carrier Air Group. However, in July 1945, it underwent re-equipment with twelve Fairey Firefly FR.I, a carrier-borne fighter and anti-submarine aircraft. In May 1946, a Night Fighter Unit known as Black Flight, equipped with four Fairey Firefly NF.Mk I night fighter variant was attached to the unit and subsequently joined HMS Ocean for deployment in the Mediterranean as part of the 20th Carrier Air Group. By November 1946, the Night Fighter Unit was reassigned, but it reverted back to 816 Naval Air Squadron in January 1947. HMS Ocean made its return to the United Kingdom at the conclusion of June 1948, leading to the disbandment of 816 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Lee-on-Solent on 1 July 1948.[2] Aircraft operatedThe squadron has operated a number of different aircraft types, including:[8]
Battle honoursThe battle honours awarded to 816 Naval Air Squadron are:
Naval air stations and aircraft carriers816 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force stations, in the UK and overseas, and also a number of Royal Navy fleet carriers and escort carriers and other airbases overseas:[8]   1939 - 1941
1942 - 1944
Commanding officersList of commanding officers of 816 Naval Air Squadron, with date of appointment:[8][7] 1939 - 1941
1942 - 1944
1945 - 1948
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to 816 Naval Air Squadron. ReferencesCitations
Bibliography
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