850 Naval Air Squadron

850 Naval Air Squadron (850 NAS), sometimes referred to as 850 Squadron, was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). It was last operational with the Royal Navy during the Second World War operating Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber aircraft.

850 Naval Air Squadron
A Fleet Air Arm Grumman Avenger Mk.I; an example of the type used by 850 NAS
Active	1–31 January 1943 1 September 1943–24 December 1944
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Navy
Type	Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadron
Role	Carrier-based maritime attack
Size	twelve aircraft
Part of	Fleet Air Arm
Engagements	World War II European theatre of World War II Battle of the Atlantic
Battle honours	Normandy 1944 Atlantic 1944
Insignia
Identification symbol	single letters (Avenger) 4A+ (Avenger December 1943) single letters (Wildcat)
Aircraft flown
Bomber	Grumman Avenger
Fighter	Grumman Wildcat

Intended to be formed to operate Curtiss Seamew as a long-range reconnaissance squadron at the start of 1943, it actually formed in the autumn of that year in the United States, before emarking in an escort carrier for passage across the Atlantic Ocean to the UK for operations, where it also briefly had a Grumman Wildcat fighter flight.

The squadron was reformed as 850 Squadron RAN in 1953.

History

The aircrew were designated to 850 Naval Air Squadron, which was scheduled to be established at RNAS Quonset Point (HMS Asbury), the US Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island, loaned to the Admiralty, on 1 January 1943, with the purpose of serving as a long-range reconnaissance squadron.^[1] The squadron was to be equipped with twelve Curtiss SO3C Seamew aircraft. Lieutenant J.H .Dundas, DSC, RN, was selected to lead the squadron; however, the formation was ultimately cancelled, and the squadron was officially disbanded on 31 January.^[2][3]

The Squadron was established in the United States on 1 September 1943, at the US Naval Air Station Squantum, Massachusetts, which was loaned to the Admiralty from September 1943, operating as Royal Naval Air Station Squantum.^[4] The squadron was commanded by Lieutenant Commander(A)(P) A.P. Boddani-Whetham, DSC, RN, and was equipped with twelve Grumman Tarpon Mk I aircraft.^[2]

The Grumman Avengers provided to the FAA were supplied through Lend-Lease agreements, starting in 1943. Until January 1944, the British designation Tarpon was utilised. The Tarpon Mk I (later known as the Avenger Mk I) served as the British counterpart to the United States Navy's TBF-1.^[5] Following the familiarisation with the aircraft and equipment, the squadron commenced rigorous training to ready itself for active service. The twelve-week preparation phase encompassed various facets of the operations of torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadrons, incorporating navigation drills, low-altitude flying, formation flying, combat strategies, as well as techniques for torpedo and depth charge attacks.^[1] Deck landing training was done aboard the USS Charger.^[2]

At the conclusion of the work-up, the squadron made preparations for a cross-country journey from Squantum to Vancouver, British Columbia, located on Canada's west coast, in anticipation of boarding an Escort Carrier. The squadron traversed the United States, making overnight stops in Detroit, Minneapolis, North Dakota, Montana, and Washington State before arriving in British Columbia in December.^[6]

HMS Empress

On 17 February 1944, 850 Naval Air Squadron boarded the Ruler-class escort carrier HMS Empress as the carrier set sail from Vancouver, heading towards the UK, with stops in Norfolk, Virginia and New York. Upon her arrival in New York on March 26, she joined the Liverpool-bound convoy CU.19 on the morning of 28 March. She reached Greenock on 8 April. Subsequently, the Avengers of 850 Squadron departed on 10, heading towards RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), Hampshire.^[7][8]

The squadron dedicated a fortnight at RNAS Lee-on-Solent prior to its assignment to collaborate with RAF Coastal Command, arriving at RAF Perranporth, Cornwall, on 16 April. From this point, the squadron conducted anti-shipping and anti-submarine missions in the English Channel and the western approaches.^[1] In conjunction with 816 and 849 Naval Air Squadrons during the Normandy landings, the squadron successfully sank one enemy merchant ship and inflicted damage on another near the Channel Islands on July 24th.^[2]

The pilot of a Grumman Wildcat, at readiness aboard HMS Fencer

On 30 July, a flight of four Grumman Wildcat Mk Vs was established at RNAS Eglinton (HMS Gannet), County Londonderry, from T' Flight of 1832 Squadron, yet it operated separately from the main contingent of 850 Squadron. From RNAS Eglinton, the flight boarded the Attacker-class escort carrier HMS Fencer on 23 September, subsequently transferring to the Nairana-class escort carrier HMS Campania on 18 October. The flight was disembarked at RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail), Argyll and Bute, on 16 November; they proceeded south, making a stop at RNAS Burscough (HMS Ringtail), Lancashire, on the 29 and reaching RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron), Somerset, on the 30. The flight was officially disbanded on 3 December 1944.^[6]

The squadron relocated to RAF Limavady, County Londonderry, on 1 August;^[2] however, this was merely a temporary assignment, as they transferred to RNAS Maydown (HMS Shrike), County Londonderry. Anti-submarine patrols were conducted from RNAS Maydown until 6 November, at which point the squadron was once more in transit, this time to RAF Mullaghmore, County Antrim. They were officially disbanded at this air station on 24 December 1944..^[6]

Aircraft flown

The squadron has flown a couple of different aircraft types:^[6]

• Grumman Avenger Mk I torpedo bomber (September 1943 - December 1944)
• Grumman Wildcat Mk V fighter aircraft (August - September 1944)
• Grumman Wildcat Mk VI fighter aircraft (August - December 1944)

Battle honours

The following Battle Honours have been awarded to 850 Naval Air Squadron:

• Normandy 1944^[9]
• Atlantic 1944^[10]

Naval air stations

850 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy in the UK and overseas, a number of Royal Air Force stations and also a Royal Navy escort carrier and other airbases overseas:^[6]

• Royal Naval Air Station Quonset Point (HMS Asbury) (1 - 30 January 1943)
• disbanded - (30 January 1943)
• RN Air Section Squantum (1 September - 2 December 1943)
  • RN Air Section Norfolk (Detachment Deck Landing Training (DLT) USS Charger 9 - 12 November 1943)
• transit - (2 - 12 December 1943)
• RCAF Station Sea Island (12 December 1943 - 17 February 1944)
  • HMS Empress (DLT 19 January - 7 February 1944
• HMS Empress (17 February - 10 April 1944)
  • Naval Air Station San Diego (Detachment February 1944)
• Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) (10 - 23 April 1944)
• Royal Air Force Perranporth (23 April - 1 September 1944)
• Royal Air Force Limavady (1 - 13 September 1944)
• Royal Naval Air Station Maydown (HMS Shrike) (13 - 26 September 1944)
• Royal Air Force Limavady (26 September - 6 November 1944)
• Royal Air Force Mullaghmore (6 November - 30 December 1944)
• Royal Naval Air Station Donibristle (HMS Merlin) (aircraft) (29 December 1944)
• disbanded - (30 December 1944)

Fighter Flight

HMS Campania

• Royal Naval Air Station Eglinton (HMS Gannet) (30 July - 26 September 1944)
• HMS Fencer (26 September - 18 October 1944)
• HMS Campania (18 October - 16 November 1944)
• Royal Naval Air Station Machrihanish (HMS Landrail) (16 - 29 November 1944)
• Royal Naval Air Station Burscough (HMS Ringtail) (29 - 30 November 1944)
• Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton (HMS Heron) (30 November - 30 December 1944)
• disbanded - 3 December 1944

Commanding officers

List of commanding officers of 850 Naval Air Squadron:^[2][6]

• Lieutenant J.H Dundas, DSC, RN, from 1 January 1943
• disbanded - 30 January 1943
• Lieutenant Commander A.P. Boddam-Whetham, DSC, RN, from 1 September 1943
• Lieutenant Commander(A) B. White, DSC, RNVR, from 28 May 1944
• Lieutenant Commander(A) F.S. Martin, RNVR, from 18 December 1944
• disbanded - 30 December 1944

Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.^[11]