| 836 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Squadron badge | |
| Active |
|
| Disbanded | 29 July 1945 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadron |
| Role | Carrier-based: |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Home station | SeeNaval air stations section for full list. |
| Mottos | Mari coeloquecode: lat promoted to code: la (Latin for 'By sea and sky') |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Battle honours |
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Lieutenant Commander Ransford Slater,OBE, DSC,RN |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge Description | Barry wavy of ten white and blue, a winged lion rampant red armed and langued blue (1943) |
| Identification Markings |
|
| Aircraft flown | |
| Bomber | Fairey Swordfish |
| Patrol | Supermarine Walrus |
836 Naval Air Squadron (836 NAS), also known as 836 Squadron, was aFleet Air Arm (FAA)naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’sRoyal Navy (RN). It was last active during World War II and operated withFairey Swordfish between March 1942 and July 1945.
Established at RNAS Palisadoes (HMSBuzzard), Jamaica, in March 1942, as a torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadron, it was initially under the jurisdiction of RAF Coastal Command at RAF Thorney Island at the end of December. Subsequently, in March 1943, it relocated to RNAS Machrihanish (HMSLandrail), Scotland, transforming into an operational pool of Fairey Swordfish designated for the merchant aircraft carriers, also known as MAC-ships. At one stage, a total of eighty-three aircraft were being utilised from nineteen MAC-ships.
On 1 February 1942, members of 836 Naval Air Squadron gathered atRNAS Eastleigh (HMSRaven), Hampshire.[1] They departed for Canada aboard the SSJamaica Producer, then headed forJamaica aboard the SSLady Rodney.[2]
The squadron was then officially established at Royal Naval Air Station Palisadoes (HMSBuzzard), atKingston, Jamaica, on 1 March 1942,[3] under the command ofLieutenant Commander J.A. Crawford,RN. It was designated as a torpedo, bomber, reconnaissance (TBR) squadron and equipped with sixFairey Swordfish Ibiplanetorpedo bombers.[4]
It operated from HMSBuzzard at Palisadoes, Jamaica, in spring 1942, and it subsequently, two months later, they traveled north to the Royal Navy Air Section atFloyd Bennett Field inNew York, where theAdmiralty had been granted lodger rights for the Royal Navy Air Section and disembarked squadrons. Subsequently, they boarded theAvenger-classescort carrier,HMS Biter, on 2 June 1942 for the UK.[5][6]
The squadron functioned from several Fleet Air Arm bases, predominantly located in Scotland, until it was placed under the jurisdiction ofRAF Coastal Command atRAF Thorney Island, West Sussex, on 30 December. On 16 March 1943, after being re-equipped with Fairey Swordfish IIs, it relocated toRNAS Machrihanish (HMSLandrail),Argyll and Bute, transforming into an operational reserve of Fairey Swordfish designated for themerchant aircraft carriers, also known as MAC-ships.[4]
The headquarters relocated toRNAS Maydown,County Londonderry, in June. The squadron's operations effectively deterredU-boats and on 13 August, its strength was augmented to twenty-seven Fairey Swordfish and twoSupermarine Walrus, anamphibiousmaritime patrol aircraft by incorporating840 Squadron along with detachments from833 and834 Squadrons, which were then stationed at RNAS Machrihanish. The Supermarine Walrus were quickly phased out, and the squadron assumed primary responsibility for all MAC-Ship Flights, each comprising three Fairey Swordfish fortankers or four Fairey Swordfish forgrain vessels, along with anaircrew and seventeenground personnel.[2]
838 Squadron was integrated as well as700W Flight. The rest of 833 Squadron was incorporated in January 1944, and in conjunction with 860 Squadron, a total of eighty-three aircraft were being utilised from nineteen MAC-ships. These operations were conducted from RNAS Maydown,RNAS Belfast, and RNAS Machrihanish at the eastern end of the Atlantic route, whileRCAF Dartmouth,Nova Scotia, served as the western point.[4]
While stationed in Canada, the squadron also utilised the RCAF airfield at Dartmouth, where a training and replacement Flight was established by October 1943. Additionally, the squadron conducted armament training at RNAS Machrihanish, where a portion of its own aircraft was maintained for this purpose. In mid-1944, some aircraft and crews were temporarily assigned to816 Squadron atRAF Perranporth, Cornwall, to address a projected rise inU-boat activity in theEnglish Channel during theNormandy invasion, after which 816 Squadron was integrated on 2 August 1944 to create the foundation of 'P' Flight.[2]
ActingLieutenant Commander Ransford Slater took command in July 1942, Slater had personally led the squadron's 'A' flight in the first attachment toMVEmpire MacAlpine in April 1943 and he was the only regularRoyal Navy officer in the unit, all others being wartimeRNVR. Slater had recognised from the outset that successful operations required the aircrew and ship's crew to work together as a team. That was potentially a problem since theRoyal Navy and theMerchant Navy had widely differing working practices and traditions.
"During the weeks of training, Slater was in his element. His leadership was evident in every aspect. His skill in unlocking the secrets of how to land on a floating postage-stamp were passed on to his pilots, while, at the same time, he made the team feel that their contribution to the success of the enterprise was vital.."
One thing he arranged was that the air party on the ships signed ships articles and hence placed themselves under the orders of the Ship's Master. For this they were supposed to receive one shilling per month and a bottle of beer per day. They got the beer – seven bottles every Sunday. It also entitled them to wear the small silver 'MN' lapel badge on their uniforms, which caused not a little upset with more traditional senior RN officers. Another of Slater's rules for the squadron was that flight commanders must have completed a full round trip under another flight commander before being eligible to take over.
The squadron operated theFairey Swordfish Mark II and they were painted all white (apparently the best camouflage for daylight flight over water). Some flights got carried away and replaced theRoyal Navy legend on the rear fuselage withMerchant Navy – to the consternation of some observers. With a flight for each of 19 ships, plus a few spare flights for training and relief, the squadron eventually grew to a strength of 91 aircraft, certainly aFleet Air Arm record[7] and probably a world one. Slater was awarded the militaryOBE for his efforts, particularly for landing on a MAC ship carrying 2 depth charges after his arrester hook had been torn away. He was killed by flying into powerlines nearDerry on 28 June 1944.
The squadron's capacity diminished as the threat posed by U-boats decreased and the utilisation ofescort carriers increased, resulting in a reduction to thirty aircraft by February 1945. Despite enduring long enough for the introduction of Fairey Swordfish IIIs, the squadron was disbanded at RNAS Maydown on 29 July 1945.[4]
The majority of the aircraft were transported toBarton, nearManchester, for dismantling. However, one aircraft that managed to evade this outcome was LS326, previously designated as L2 with L' Flight inMV Rapana, and is currently with theRoyal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF) at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset.[2]
The squadron operated a variety of different aircraft and versions:[8][9]
The followingBattle Honours have been awarded to 836 Naval Air Squadron:
836 Naval Air Squadron was active at various naval air stations of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force stations, both within the United Kingdom and internationally. Additionally, it operated from a Royal Navy escort carriers and a number of merchant aircraft carriers, as well as other airbases located abroad.[9]
List of air stations and aircraft carriers used by 836 Naval Air Squadron during World War two including dates:
List ofcommanding officers of 836 Naval Air Squadron:[8][4][9]
Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[12]