The
squadron first formed in April 1941 at RNAS Lee-on-Solent as an
Albacore torpedo spotter reconnaissance squadron. In August 1941 the
squadron embarked on HMS Victorious attacking shipping off the
Lofoten islands and Bodo in September and October 1941.
In February 1942 the CO Lt-Cdr AJP Plugge RN and his crew were lost
whilst searching for enemy shipping off Norway, and the following
month the squadron was involved in Arctic convoys to Russia and in
an unsuccessful attack on the German battleship Tirpitz.
In July 1942 the ship was involved in the Operation Pedestal convoy
to Malta, and in October took part in the landings in North Africa,
when the squadron attacked targets in Algiers.
In December 1942 the squadron embarked on HMS Victorious for
Norfolk, Virginia, USA where it was re-equipped with 12 US Navy
Avenger TBF-Is and sailed for the Coral Sea area.
In June 1943 the squadron embarked on USS Saratoga to support the
landings in the Solomon islands, rejoining HMS Victorious in July
1943 returning to Hatston in September where it was re-equipped with
12 Avenger Is for strikes against enemy shipping.
In January 1944, the squadron was augmented by 4 Wildcat Vs of 1832
squadron, embarking in February 1944 in HMS Athene and HMS Engadine
for RNAS Katukurunda, Ceylon in April 1944.
In May 1944, the squadron joined HMS Illustrious for an attack on
Sourabaya, subsequently transferring to HMS Begum for trade
protection duties in the Pacific ocean until the squadron was
disbanded in February 1945 in the UK.
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