828 Naval Air Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=828 Naval Air Squadron


caption=Fairey Fireflies (1771 Squadron), Fairey Barracudas (828 Squadron), and Supermarine Seafires (880 Squadron) of the Fleet Air Arm on the flight deck of HMS "Implacable" warming up ready to make strike on enemy shipping at the entrance to Alten Fjord, Norway.
dates=1940-1943
1944-1946
country=UK
allegiance=
branch=Royal Navy
type=Carrier based squadron
role=Offensive Support
equipment=
size=
command_structure=Fleet Air Arm
current_commander=
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battle_honours=Mediterranean 1941-3
Norway 1944
Japan 1945 [ [http://www.fleetairarmoa.org/asp/fleetairarm.asp?ServiceType=2 Fleet Air Arm battle honours] ]
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

828 Naval Air Squadron was a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier based squadron formed in September 1940 as a torpedo spotter reconnaissance squadron. It operated in a number of the theatres of the Second World War, carrying out a number of attacks on enemy targets including the "Tirpitz" in Norway. [http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Squadrons/828.html 828 Squadron's history] ]

History

Malta and the Mediterranean

The squadron was initially equipped with Fairey Albacores on its formation at RNAS Lee-on-Solent, and then moved to Scotland to operate anti-submarine patrols with RAF Coastal Command. They embarked aboard HMS "Victorious" in July 1941 and carried out an attack on Kirkenes, Norway. Five of the squadron's aircraft were lost in the attack. The squadron was then regrouped and sailed to Gibraltar in August aboard HMS "Argus". They were then transported to Hal Far, Malta aboard HMS "Ark Royal". From there the squadron attacked enemy shipping attempting to transport supplies to the Axis forces in Libya. In March 1942 they and 830 Naval Air Squadron formed the Naval Air Squadron Malta, which went on to attack enemy warships and convoys operating in the Mediterranean. Re-supply problems, partially alleviated by the Malta Convoys led to the number of operational aircraft being reduced to just two. In December 1942 the remnants of 826 and 830 squadrons were absorbed.

828 and 821 Naval Air Squadrons attacked shipping in May 1943, and provided flare illumination for naval bombardments of Pantellaria. 828 then moved to Monastir in Tunisia, where they disbanded in September 1943. Together 828 and 830 squadrons had sunk 30 enemy ships and damaged another 50.

"Tirpitz" and the Far East

828 Squadron was re-formed as a torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadron in March 1944. Equipped with 12 Barracuda IIs they joined the 2nd Naval Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Wing and joined the Home Fleet aboard HMS "Implacable" in August that year. They briefly transferred to HMS "Formidable" in August 1944 and carried out attacks on the German battleship "Tirpitz" as part of Operation Goodwood. They were briefly at RNAS Hatston, before re-boarding HMS "Implacable" and carrying out attacks on enemy shipping off the Norwegian coast in October. 828 Squadron was re-equipped with 21 Avenger Is and IIs in January 1945, and then joined HMS "Trumpeter". They were back aboard HMS "Implacable" by March 1945, and sailed with her to Ceylon, subsequently disembarking at Trincomalee in April 1945. 828 Squadron then joined the 8th Carrier Air Group and carried out attacks on Truk and the Japanese mainland. After the Japanese surrender the squadron returned to Nowra on 25 August 1945, and remained there until May 1946. [ [http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/navy/828sqnrn.htm 828 Squadron in Australia] ]

Notes

References

* [http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Squadrons/825.html Wartime history]