813 Naval Air Squadron was initially formed atRAF Gosport inHampshire on 18 January 1937,[5] designated as a Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance squadron, it was equipped with a fleet of nineFairey Swordfish biplanetorpedo bombers.[6] The squadron was embarked inHMS Eagle inSingapore, utilisingRAF Seletar as a land-based support facility at the onset of the Second World War. The aircraft carrier and its assigned squadrons conducted operations to locate enemy vessels in theIndian Ocean.[7]
TheAdmiralty formally assumed control of the squadron on 24 May 1939 while it was embarked in HMSEagle.[5] Following a refit, HMSEagle departed for theMediterranean, where in June, fourGloster Sea Gladiator, a biplanefighter aircraft, were incorporated into the squadron's strength. These aircraft swiftly achieved success by downing twoItalianbombers, with additional aircraft being shot down in the subsequent months.[6] The Fairey Swordfish were responsible for the sinking of merchant vessels and aDestroyer during a raid onTobruk, as well as another Destroyer in a subsequent operation inSicily. Additionally, four of its aircraft participated alongsideHMS Illustrious in thesuccessful assault on the Italian Fleet atTaranto during the night of 11-12 November 1940.[8]
In March 1941, the Gloster Sea Gladiator aircraft were withdrawn, with 813 Naval Air Squadron accompanying824 Naval Air Squadron toPort Sudan to support local military operations. During this assignment, the squadron successfully engaged fiveItalian Destroyers located north ofMassawa, resulting in the sinking of two vessels, the beaching of two others, and the subsequent scuttling of the remaining ship. After completing its mission, 813 Naval Air Squadron re-joined the carrier and proceeded to sail viaCape Town, spending some time in theAtlantic. On 6 June, it located and sank the U-boat supply shipElbe, subsequently compelling the German tankerLothringen to surrender.[6]
In January 1942, 813 Naval Air Squadron re-boarded HMSEagle and arrived inGibraltar by late February, where it engaged in patrols and participated in various operations to transport aircraft toMalta alongside HMSEagle andHMS Argus. The squadron was temporarily reduced to six aircraft and were fortuitously stationed on land in Gibraltar when HMSEagle was sunk on 11 August, although four Hawker Sea Hurricane that were on board were lost.[6]
The squadron's capacity was increased twofold in a span of ten days, enabling it to provide assistance for theNorth African landings, including a flight assigned toAlgeria. It maintained operations from both Gibraltar and Algeria until it was transported to the United Kingdom, where it was officially disbanded on 18 October 1943.[8]
In November 1943, 813 Naval Air Squadron was reformed atRNAS Donibristle (HMSMerlin),Fife, Scotland, incorporating nine new Fairey Swordfish II aircraft. Subsequently, in March 1944, threeFairey Fulmarnight fighters were assigned to the squadron from784 Naval Air Squadron. These aircraft, along with the Fairey Swordfish, were deployed aboardHMS Campania in April for the purpose of escorting convoys in the Atlantic and North Russian regions.[6]
The squadron also operated fourGrumman Wildcat, an American carrier-borne fighter aircraft, from1832 Naval Air Squadron off HMSCampania. Engaging in operations within theNorth Atlantic and supportingArctic convoys, the Fairey Swordfish aircraft successfully sank theGerman submarine U-921 on September 30 andU-365 on 13 December while the Grumman Wildcat fighters were credited with the destruction of fourGerman aircraft. In January 1945, a portion of the squadron returned to duty foranti-submarine missions along the Norwegian coastline. By March 1945, the transition to Fairey Swordfish III was completed, coinciding with the withdrawal of the Fairey Fulmar aircraft and the introduction of eight new Grumman Wildcat Mk V into service. The squadron conducted its final Arctic convoy operation aboardHMS Vindex in April 1945, subsequently disbanding on 15 May 1945.[8]
813 Naval Air Squadron was reestablished atRNAS Ford (HMSPeregrine) inSussex, England, on 1 September 1945, functioning as a Torpedo Strike Squadron withBlackburn Firebrand T.F. IVstrike fighter as its primary aircraft. This newly modified version of the aircraft encountered significant issues; it was the inaugural model designed to serve as a fighter,dive-bomber, and torpedo strike aircraft, yet it suffered from numerous complications, preventing the squadron from achieving operational status. Subsequently, the squadron was disbanded at RNAS Ford on 30 September 1946, just over a year after its formation.[9]
The Blackburn Firebrand T.F. 5 strike fighter entered service with the Fleet Air Am in May 1947,[10] when 813 Naval Air Squadron reformed at RNAS Ford and experienced greater success. However, it initially encountered several issues, limiting the squadron's ability to conduct extended operations aboard HMSIllustrious andHMS Implacable over the subsequent 18 months. Ultimately, the aircraft were integrated into HMSImplacable in January 1949 as part of the1st Carrier Air Group,[6] engaging in various cruises and exercises before being reassigned toHMS Indomitable two years later. From December 1951, the squadron returned to shore-based operations, focusing on training and participating in exercises. Nevertheless, due to a shortage of spare parts, the serviceability of the aircraft declined significantly, resulting in minimal flying activity.[11]
In 1953, at RNAS Ford, the squadron began to re-equip in May withWestland Wyvern S. 4 strike aircraft. These aircraft effectively replaced the Blackburn Firebrand, but teething troubles were again experienced, and it was not until 1954 that the new aircraft were able to joinHMS Albion.[12] The squadron sailed home again in March 1955, to joinHMS Eagle in June for visits to the Mediterranean and Norway before disbanding on arrival atHMNB Devonport on 21 November.[11]
The Westland Wyvern S. 4 were once more the aircraft utilised when the squadron was reformed at RNAS Ford on 26 November 1956. In February 1957, an independent 'X' Flight was created, consisting of three aircraft, which subsequently transferred to831 Naval Air Squadron in April. 813 Naval Air Squadron was deployed aboard HMSEagle in August, participating in exercises in both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean during early 1958, after which the squadron was disbanded at RNAS Ford in April.[11]
813 Naval Air Squadron was active at various naval air stations of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force (RAF) stations, both within the United Kingdom and internationally. Additionally, it operated from severalRoyal Navy fleet carriers, as well as other airbases located abroad.[22]
List of Royal Air Force stations and other airbases that 813 Naval Air Squadron used while administrative management of the Fleet Air Arm was with the RAF, from formation to 24 May 1939:
813 Naval Air Squadron was embarked inHMS Eagle on numerous occasions while administrative management of the Fleet Air Arm was with the RAF. List of dates:
List of airbases and aircraft carriers that 813 Naval Air Squadron used after administrative management of the Fleet Air Arm was transferred to the Royal Navy, from 24 May 1939 and subsequently during the Second World War:
1939 - 1943
Royal Air Force Kai Tak, Hong Kong, (25 - 29 May 1939)
HMSEagle (29 May - 31 July 1939)
Wei-Hai-Wei, China, (Detachment 3 June - 26 July 1939)
Royal Air Force Kai Tak, Hong Kong, (31 July - 12 August 1939)
HMSEagle (12 - 18 August 1939)
Royal Air Force Seletar, Singapore, (18 - 28 August 1939)
HMSEagle (28 August - 1 November 1939)
Royal Air Force Seletar, Singapore, (1 - 8 November 1939)
Ballance, Theo; Howard, Lee; Sturtivant, Ray (2016).The Squadrons and Units of the Fleet Air Arm. Air Britain Historians Limited.ISBN978-0-85130-489-2.
Bishop, Chris (ed)The Encyclopedia of 20th Century Air Warfare Amber Books, Ltd. 2004ISBN1-904687-26-1
United Kingdom
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