827 Naval Air Squadron (827 NAS), also known as 827 Squadron, was aFleet Air Arm (FAA)naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’sRoyal Navy (RN). It was last operational between 1954 and 1955 operating withWestland Wyvern S.4 strike fighter.
827 Naval Air Squadron was established in September 1940, as a Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance (TSR) unit at HMSHeron, RNAS Yeovilton. It trained at HMSJackdaw, RNAS Crail, before joining RAF Coastal Command for convoy protection and minelaying from RAF Thorney Island and RAF St Eval. In June 1941, it moved north to HMSLandrail, RNAS Machrihanish and HMSMerlin, RNAS Donibristle, to attack the battlecruisersScharnhorst andGneisenau. In July, the squadron embarked HMSVictorious for a raid on Kirkenes, during which it lost half of itsFairey Albacores, but managed to shoot down a Ju87.
In October 1941, the squadron re-assembled and embarked in HMSIndomitable for a journey that took them to the United States and Jamaica before proceeding around the Cape of Good Hope to Aden Colony. Utilising both the carrier and various airbases, the squadron conducted anti-submarine patrols in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. In May 1942, it participated in the invasion of Madagascar. Subsequently, the ship sailed to Gibraltar in preparation for Operation Pedestal, the Malta convoy in August, during which the squadron suffered the loss of five officers due to attacks on the carrier.
In May 1943, it became the first FAA squadron to receiveFairey Barracuda in any substantial number. It later became part of the 8th Naval TBR Wing, aboard HMSFurious with HMSSparrowhawk, RNAS Hatston, as an airbase. The squadron transferred for one of two spells aboard HMSVictorious and was led by Strike leaderRoy Sydney Baker-Falkner in the attack on the German battleshipTirpitz inOperation Tungsten on 3 April 1944. During the dive bombing attack, ten hits were recorded in conjunction with the 830 Naval Air Squadron. A subsequent assault on the battleshipTirpitz occurred in July from HMSFormidable, where a smokescreen provided effective cover for the battleship. However, in August, two successful hits were achieved while operating from HMSFurious.
The squadron relocated to RAF Beccles and RAF Langham to collaborate with No. 16 Group, RAF Coastal Command, along the Dutch coastline. In January 1945, it boarded HMSColossus with plans to join the British Pacific Fleet. Upon reaching Ceylon, the squadron disembarked and became part of the 14th Carrier Air Group, but remaining on land until the conclusion of the war.
In August 1941, the squadron consolidated atRNAS Hatston (HMSSparrowhawk),Mainland, Orkney, and it embarked in theIllustrious-class aircraft carrierHMS Indomitable, in October, on a journey to the USA and Jamaica, subsequently proceeding around theCape toAden, where it arrived in January 1942. Utilising the carrier along with several shore bases, 827 Naval Air Squadron conducted anti-submarine patrols in both theRed Sea and theIndian Ocean.[4] The squadron participated in theinvasion of Madagascar in May 1942, albeit with only nine aircraft operational.[2]
The carrier departed for Gibraltar, once more navigating around the Cape. A detachment of four aircraft was deployed from HMSIndomitable to the RN Air Section at theSouth African Air Force Station Stamford Hill,Durban, South Africa, between 13 and 18 July 1942.[5] In August 1942, duringOperation Pedestal, a rapid reinforcement convoy toMalta, five squadron officers lost their lives due to assaults on the ship. Following provisional repairs, HMSIndomitable made its way back home, allowing 827 Naval Air Squadron personnel to disembark for regrouping.[4]
Anti-shipping operations conducted from HMSFurious off the coast of Norway during April and May of 1944 occurred despite extremely harsh weather conditions. A subsequent assault on theTirpitz took place in July 1944, launched from theIllustrious-class aircraft carrier,HMS Formidable, where a smokescreen provided protection for the vessel; however, two successful strikes were achieved during an operation from HMSFurious in August 1944.[4]
The carrier remained in the Far East until December and after a prolonged stay inCape Town, South Africa, where the squadron's Fairey Barracuda disembarked toRNAS Wingfield (HMSMalagas) between 17 January and 18 April,[7] it then set sail for the United Kingdom, where the squadron was officially disbanded atRNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMSDaedalus) inHampshire on 24 July 1946.[4]
In March 1949, the squadron returned home and received twelve new Fairey Firefly FR.I aircraft, which were deployed to the Mediterranean the following month. In June 1949, four Fairey Firefly NF.MK I, "night fighter" variant, from the Night Fighter Unit of812 Naval Air Squadron were integrated as Black Flight. This unit was fully incorporated into the squadron by August, coinciding with the squadron's deployment to the Far East, while the flight personnel returned to Malta in November.[10]
Operations supporting the Army commenced in October against Malayan bandits. On 21 October, one of the most significant air strikes occurred near Gemas in Negri Sembilan, involving a total of sixty-two sorties. This operation featured a diverse array of aircraft, includingSupermarine Spitfires,Bristol Beaufighters,Hawker Tempests, andShort Sunderlands from the Royal Air Force, alongside Fairey Fireflies andSupermarine Seafires from 827 and 800Naval Air Squadrons.[11]
When theKorean War erupted in June 1950, 827 Naval Air Squadron deployed with twelve Fairey Firefly FR.1 fighter / reconnaissance aircraft to conduct anti-submarine patrols, assist with thelandings at Inchon, provide bombardment spotting, and engage shore targets.[12] In September, the ship returned home viaSingapore[4] and 827 Naval Air Squadron was officially disbanded atRNAS Ford (HMSPeregrine), Sussex, on 22 November.[13]
827 Naval Air Squadron was reformed at RNAS Ford, in December 1950 as a single-seater torpedo strike squadron, equipped with twelveBlackburn Firebrand TF.5 strike fighter aircraft,[13] making it one of only two front-line squadrons to utilise this model.[14]
Although the concept did not achieve significant success, the squadron deployed to Malta in May 1951[13] and joined thelead ship of her class of aircraft carrier,HMS Illustrious, in October for its return to the United Kingdom. In June 1952, the squadron embarked in theAudacious-classaircraft carrierHMS Eagle for a summer cruise and later participated in aNATOexercise off the coast of Norway in September. Following Arctic trials conducted by the ship in November, the squadron was disbanded once more upon its return to RNAS Ford in December.[15]
In November 1954, 827 Naval Air Squadron was re-established again at RNAS Ford,[13] originating from the core of703W Flight[16] and was equipped with nineWestland Wyvern S.4 strike fighter aircraft designated for torpedo strike operations. The squadron embarked in HMSEagle in May 1955[17] and engaged in joint exercises with theUS Navy in the Mediterranean in June. In September, they participated in a NATO exercise off the coast of Norway. Following another exercise in theMoray Firth in October, the squadron returned to RNAS Ford on 19 November and was subsequently disbanded.[15]
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.
Sturtivant, Ray (1984).The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm. Tonbridge, Uk: Air-Britain (Historians).ISBN0-85130-120-7.
Thetford, Owen (1991).British Naval Aircraft since 1912.London, UK: Putnam Aeronautical Books, an imprint of Conway Maritime Press Ltd.ISBN0-85177-849-6.
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