884 Naval Air Squadron

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884 Naval Air Squadron
884 Naval Air Squadron Badge.gif
884 NAS badge
Active1 November 1941 - 20 July 1943
CountryFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
BranchNaval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy
TypeSingle-seat fighter squadron
RoleFleet fighter squadron
Part of Fleet Air Arm
Home stationSee Naval air stations section for full list.
Engagements World War II
Battle honours
  • Malta Convoys 1942
  • North Africa 1942
Insignia
Squadron badgeBlue, issuant from water in base barry wavy of six white and blue a cubit arm in bend armed proper winged gold grasping a battleaxe blade uppermost proper ( 1942) [1]
Identification Markingsuncoded (Fulmar)
uncoded (Spitfire)
8A+ (Seafire)
Aircraft flown
Fighter Fairey Fulmar
Supermarine Seafire
Supermarine Spitfire

884 Naval Air Squadron (884 NAS) was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, [2] which last disbanded in July 1943. It formed at HMS Merlin, RNAS Donibristle, as a Fleet Fighter squadron, in November 1941. The squadron assisted RAF Fighter Command, providing fighter cover and also participated other operations including the attempt to relieve the Siege of Malta and also the Allied invasion of French North Africa.

Contents

History

Fleet fighter squadron

884 Naval Air Squadron formed at RNAS Donibristle (HMS Merlin), Fife, on 1 November 1941 as a Fleet Fighter squadron. It was initially equipped with six Fairey Fulmar Mk.II, a carrier-based reconnaissance and fighter aircraft. [3]

The squadron was intended to embark on Avenger-class escort carrier HMS Biter, but after working up it operated as part of No. 13 Group RAF in Fighter Command, from 22 March 1942. It was based at RAF Turnhouse, in Edinburgh, Scotland, but moved to RAF Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, before returning to RAF Turnhouse. [1]

The squadron returned to the Fleet Air Arm on 21 July at RNAS Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk), Mainland, Orkney, and then embarked in the Illustrious-class aircraft carrier HMS Victorious to help provide fighter cover for the Malta convoy Operation Pedestal. [3]

884 Naval Air Squadron returned to the United Kingdom but was back with the Royal Air Force at RAF Skeabrae, Mainland, Orkney. Its Fairey Fulmar were replaced by hooked Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft and it also converted to Supermarine Seafire, a navalised Spitfire, however, the squadron re-embarked to provide fighter cover during Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French North Africa. [1]

It then returned to fighter defence with Nos. 13 and 14 Groups in Fighter Command, operating from various Royal Air Force stations around Scotland, before disbanding at RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail), on 20 July 1943. [3]

There was a proposed 22nd Carrier Air Group for the British Pacific Fleet in 1945 and it was intended to use a reformed 884 Naval Air Squadron with twenty-one Supermarine Seafire as part of its make-up, however, it wasn’t required following V-J Day. [1]

Aircraft operated

The squadron has operated a number of different aircraft types, including: [1]

Battle honours

The battle honours awarded to 884 Naval Air Squadron are: [4]

884 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force stations in the UK, and a Royal Navy fleet carrier: [1]

HMS Biter and HMS Avenger underway in line astern from HMS Victorious. Two Supermarine Seafire aircraft of No 884 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm can be seen at the far end of the flight deck of HMS Victorious. The Royal Navy during the Second World War A12577.jpg
HMS Biter and HMS Avenger underway in line astern from HMS Victorious. Two Supermarine Seafire aircraft of No 884 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm can be seen at the far end of the flight deck of HMS Victorious.

Commanding officers

List of commanding officers of 884 Naval Air Squadron: [4]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">883 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

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References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 255.
  2. "884 Squadron". Fleet Air Arm Archive. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Wragg 2019, p. 181.
  4. 1 2 Wragg 2019, p. 182.

Bibliography