| 1770 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Squadron badge | |
| Active | 1943–1945 |
| Disbanded | 30 September 1945[1] |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Two-seat fighter squadron |
| Role | FighterSquadron |
| Size | twelve aircraft |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Home station | SeeNaval air stations section for full list. |
| Mottos | Videre est vincere (Latin for 'To see is to conquer') |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Battle honours |
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Major V.B.G. Cheesman,DSO, MBE, DSC,RM[2] |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge Description | Blue, issuant from a base barry wavy of four white and blue a trident gold on the centre tine a firefly lambent proper (1943)[3] |
| Identification Markings | single letters 5A+ 4A+ 270-281 (March 1945) single letters (August 1945) |
| Fin Carrier Code | S (March 1945) |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Fairey Firefly |
1770 Naval Air Squadron (1770 NAS) was aNaval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy'sFleet Air Arm. It formed at RNAS Yeovilton (HMSHeron), on 10 September 1943, as a two-seatFighter Squadron and embarked on HMSIndefatigable in May 1944. It took part in several attacks on the German BattleshipTirpitzand other operations in Norwegian waters before sailing for the Far East. In 1945, as part of the British Pacific Fleet, the squadron took part in attacks on Sumatra, Sakishima Gunto and Formosa. It disembarked to Australia in June 1945 and then disbanded on 30 September 1945 at RNAS Maryborough (HMSNabstock), Queensland, Australia.
1770 Naval Air Squadron formed atRNAS Yeovilton (HMSHeron),Somerset, on 10 September 1943 as a two-seater fighter squadron, led by Lieutenant Commander(A) I.P. Godfrey, RNVR. It was equipped with twelveFairey Firefly I, acarrier-borne fighter, anti-submarine and reconnaissance aircraft.[3]
During the middle of December the squadron flew north to theOrkney Islands. Initially based atRNAS Grimsetter (HMSRobin), nearKirkwall,Mainland. Major V.B.G. Cheesman, DSO, MBE, DSC, RM took command and it then moved the short distance toRNAS Hatston (HMSSparrowhawk), in the middle of February 1944.[4]
The squadron embarked in the newly completedImplacable-classaircraft carrier,HMS Indefatigable, in May 1944. It took part in operations against theGerman battleshipTirpitz in July, as part ofOperation Mascot, where it attacked German auxiliary vessels and shore-based gun positions.[3]
More sorties were later conducted offNorway, along with another attack on theTirpitz, beforeIndefatigable sailed along with the squadron for theFar East, and subsequently joined theBritish Pacific Fleet.[4]
During April 1945, the squadron was part of theattacks on the Japanese-held oil refineries situated atPalembang on theDutch East Indies island ofSumatra. It also operated over theSakishima Islands between March and May 1945, and later againstFormosa, the main island of Taiwan.[3]
1770 Naval Air Squadron disembarked toRNAS Schofields (HMSNabthorne),New South Wales, Australia, in June, where it became part of the7th Carrier Air Group, but it disbanded, shortly after theSecond World War ended, on 30 September 1945.[4]
1770 Naval Air Squadron flew only one aircraft type:[3]
Thebattle honours awarded to 1770 Naval Air Squadron are:
1770 Naval Air Squadron was assigned as needed to form part of a number of larger units:[9]
1770 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number ofnaval air stations of the Royal Navy, in the United Kingdom, a number overseas, and aRoyal Navy fleet carrier:[4][3]
List ofcommanding officers of 1770 Naval Air Squadron with date of appointment.[4][3]
Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[10]