| 1839 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Squadron badge | |
| Active | 15 November 1943 - 30 November 1945[1] |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Single-seat fighter squadron |
| Role | Carrier-based fighter squadron |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Home station | SeeNaval air stations section for full list. |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Battle honours |
|
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge Description | Red, an Indian tiger's head couped at the neck and inclined to profile proper (1945) |
| Identification Markings |
|
| Fin Carrier Code | W (March 1945) |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Grumman Hellcat |
1839 Naval Air Squadron (1839 NAS) was aFleet Air Arm (FAA)naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’sRoyal Navy (RN). Established as a fighter squadron at HMSGannet, RNAS Eglinton in Northern Ireland in November 1943, it formed part of the 5th Naval Fighter Wing. In February 1944, the squadron boarded HMSBegum and set sail for southern India, arriving in April. In June, it relocated to HMSBerhunda at RNAS Colombo Racecourse in Ceylon, and in July, it boarded HMSIndomitable, participating in attacks on Sumatra and conducting photographic reconnaissance.
The squadron resumed operations over Sumatra in December 1944 and January 1945, before the carrier became part of the British Pacific Fleet, where the squadron engaged in missions over Sakashima Gunto. In April 1945, it absorbed 1840 Naval Air Squadron, boosting its numbers. By June, the 5th NFW merged into the 11th Carrier Air Group. As the war concluded, the squadron was on the carrier ready for further missions, but the ship was redirected to Hong Kong. It was disbanded after the war in November 1945, upon returning to the UK.
1839 Naval Air Squadron was established as a single-seat fighter unit on 15 November 1943, atHMSGannet, the Royal Naval Air Station located inEglinton, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The squadron was commanded byLieutenant Commander(A) D.M. Jeram,RN and was equipped with tenGrumman Hellcat fighter aircraft.[2] These were the Royal Navy’s equivalent of theUnited States Navy’s F6F-3 variant, designated Hellcat F. Mk. I by the Fleet Air Arm.[3]
In conjunction with1844 Naval Air Squadron, they established the5th Naval Fighter Wing (5 NFW) to operate aboard theIllustrious-classaircraft carrier,HMS Indomitable. Following an initial familiarisation with the aircraft and associated equipment, the squadron commenced rigorous training to ready themselves for active deployment. This training encompassed a variety of activities, includingnavigation drills,low-altitude flying,formation manoeuvres, andair combat manoeuvring.[4]
On 26 February, theRuler-classescort carrierHMS Begum commenced the embarkation of four squadrons for deployment to theFar East. The initial personnel and ten Grumman Hellcat fighter aircraft from 1839 Naval Air Squadron were the first to board. The vessel departed from theRiver Clyde on 3 March, participating in Convoy KMF.29A, which was en route toAlexandria, Egypt.[5] After reachingMadras Harbour, India, on 11 April, unloading operations began on 14 March, with the squadron being transferred to the aircraft maintenance yard RNAS Tambaram (HMSValluru); 1839 Naval Air Squadron was ultimately assigned toRAF Ulunderpet.[6]
On 23, the squadron set off forRNAS Colombo Racecourse (HMSBerhunda), Ceylon and a month later, on July 25th, the 5th Naval Fighter Wing embarked on HMSIndomitable to begin its operational duties. The wing utilised the Royal Navy Air Section atRAF China Bay, Ceylon andRNAS Nowra (HMSNabbington),MONAB I, inNew South Wales, Australia, as its shore bases.[7]
In July, the squadron conducted offensive operations againstSumatra as a component ofOperation Banquet, while also engaging inphotographic reconnaissance activities duringOperation Light. The squadron resumed its operations over Sumatra in December 1944 and January 1945 participating inOperations Millet,Robson,Lentil andMeridian. The aircraft carrier subsequently became part of theBritish Pacific Fleet, redirecting its focus towards objectives within theSakishima Gunto archipelago located in theEast China Seas, in alignment withOperation Iceberg.[4][8]
On 27 April 1945, the squadron absorbed1840 Naval Air Squadron, increasing its total number of aircraft to eighteen. Subsequently, in June 1945, the 5th Naval Fighter Wing was dissolved and incorporated into the11th Carrier Air Group (11 CAG),[9] which included1844 Naval Air Squadron from the Wing, and along with857 Naval Air Squadron.[10] TheAdmiralty had decided to move to the American system of all ships squadrons under a singleCarrier Air Group (CAG).[11]
In early August, 1839 Naval Air Squadron re-embarked for additional operations. However, the occurrence ofV-J Day altered these plans, leading the aircraft carrier to set course forHong Kong instead. Upon its return to Australia in October, the aircraft were withdrawn and the ship subsequently departed for the United Kingdom, where the squadron was officially disbanded upon arrival on 30 November.[8]
1839 Naval Air Squadron flew two variants of only one aircraft type:[8]
The followingBattle Honours have been awarded to 1839 Naval Air Squadron:
1839 Naval Air Squadron was assigned as needed to form part of a number of larger units:[15]
1839 Naval Air Squadron operated mostly from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy overseas, a Royal Navy fleet carrier and a couple of escort carriers:[8]
List ofcommanding officers of 1839 Naval Air Squadron with date of appointment:[9]
Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[16]