The
squadron formed at RNAS Arbroath in January 1941 as a Fleet Fighter
squadron with 3 Martlet Is, intended for the still uncompleted HMS
Indomitable.
The squadron was augmented with 3 Sea Gladiators and 9 Sea Hurricane
IAs until replaced with Sea Hurricane Ibs in July 1941 the squadron
then embarked on HMS Furious that month for the strike on Petsamo in
the Arctic, when the CO L/C FEC Judd RN shot down a Do 18. Part of
the squadron remaining at St Merryn, Twatt and Sumburgh.
In October 1941 the full squadron embarked on the completed HMS
Indomitable and sailed to join the Eastern Fleet,
calling in at Palisadoes, Norfolk, Khormaksar, Port Sudan, Ratmalana,
Khormaksar and China Bay.
In May 1942, the squadron left Port Reitz, East Africa onboard HMS
Indomitable and took part in the Madagascar landings, including an
attack on the Vichy French sloop D’Entrecaseaux, and subsequently
took part in Operation Pedestal convoy to Malta when the ship was
badly damaged by enemy attacks. During the operation the squadron
destroyed 8 enemy aircraft and damaged 3 aircraft, but lost 3
squadron aircraft.
In August 1942 the squadron disembarked at RNAS Stretton and
re-equipped soon after with 12 Seafire IICs.
In October 1942 the squadron embarked on HMS Argus for the North
African landings, returning to HMS Indomitable in March 1943 for the
landings in Sicily in July 1943 and the September landings in
Salerno from HMS Stalker.
Stationed at RNAS Ballyhalbert and RAF Skeabrae from October 1943
till February 1944, the squadron embarked on HMS Furious in February
for operations against Norway, and again in March/April when the
squadron took part in the 3. April 1944 operation Tungsten attack
which crippled the German Battleship Tirpitz in Kaa Fjord in Arctic
Norway.
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