822 Naval Air Squadron
| 822 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1933–1939 1941–1945 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Carrier based squadron |
| Role | Offensive Support |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Battle honours | North Africa 1942-3 Arctic 1943 |
822 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm aircraft squadron before and during World War II.
History
[edit]Pre-war
[edit]822 squadron was formed on 3 April 1933 from a merger of No's 442 and 449 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flights at Netheravon and posted to the Home Fleet aboard HMS Furious. From March to November 1936 it was equipped with Fairey Seals passed on from 821 Squadron, soon replaced by Blackburn Sharks, to carry out a Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance role. In August 1937 the squadron received Fairey Swordfish aircraft, which it continued to operate from Furious until February 1939, when the squadron was re-allocated to HMS Courageous as a deck landing training unit. Furious and Courageous were 1st class cruisers which had been converted in 1924 to serve as an aircraft carriers. When Courageous was sunk by the German submarine U-29 in September 1939, the squadron was disbanded.
World War II
[edit]The squadron was re-formed in October 1941 as a torpedo bomber reconnaissance (TBR) Swordfish squadron.
In March 1942 it was re-equipped with 9 Fairey Albacores and sailed in July on HMS Furious. On 11 November, the squadron attacked La Senia Airfield, losing Commanding Officer, Lieutenant JGA McI Nares.
After July 1943, it attached to 45th Naval TBR Wing and transferred to southern India in February 1944 for service with the Eastern Fleet. There the squadron joined 11th Naval TBR Wing and attacked a railway target at Sigli, Sumatra from HMS Victorious. The squadron was subsequently sent back to the UK, minus their aircraft, on HMS Rajah and in early 1945 was re-allocated to RAF Coastal Command for anti-submarine duties in the English Channel.
In June 1945 the squadron was again re-equipped, this time with 12 Barracuda IIs.
Aircraft operated
[edit]
| From | To | Aircraft | Version | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1936 | Nov 1936 | Fairey Seal | Based on HMS Furious | |
| Nov 1936 | Aug 1937 | Blackburn Shark | Based on HMS Furious | |
| Aug 1937 | Sept 1939 | Fairey Swordfish | I | Based on HMS Courageous |
| Oct 1941 | March 1942 | Fairey Swordfish | II | |
| April 1942 | Aug 1943 | Fairey Albacore | I | |
| Oct 1942 | Nov 1942 | Fairey Fulmar | ||
| July 1943 | Oct 1944 | Fairey Barracuda | II | |
| Jan 1945 | June 1945 | Fairey Barracuda | TR.III | |
| Sept 1945 | end of WW2 | Fairey Firefly | FR.1 |
References
[edit]