1941
The
squadron formed at Dekheila as a Fleet Fighter squadron in March
1941 with 6 Sea Gladiators and 3 Buffaloes. The squadron embarked,
2 days after forming, on HMS Eagle, returning a week later to
Dekheila. The squadron disbanded in May 1941.
1941 - 1943
In December 1941 the squadron was next officially reformed, at RNAS
Yeovilton with 6 Sea Hurricane IBs for duties with HMS Charger, but
instead after a period at Yeovilton, St Merryn, Sherburn-in-Elmet
and Hutton Cranswick joined HMS Victorious from Hatston in June 1942
for Malta convoy duties.
The summer was spent at RNAS Lee-on-Solent and RAF Machrihanish from
where the squadron, with Seafire Ibs and IICs, embarked on HMS
Formidable in October 1942 to take part in fighter duties during the
landings in North Africa, and further Mediterranean operations until
October 1943, with shore bases of La Senia, Gibraltar, Tafaroui, Ta
Kali, Dekheila, and Paestrum, disembarking at Lee-on-Solent where it
disbanded in November 1943. One small detachment having spent
September and October 1943 with HMS Unicorn.
1944 - 1945
In February 1944 the squadron reformed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent with 12
Seafire F.IIIs and L.IIIs, as part of the 3rd Naval Fighter Wing,
moving to St Merryn, Henstridge and Dundonald.
In May 1944 the squadron moved back to RNAS Lee-on-Solent in
preparation for D-Day. The squadron now equipped with 20 Seafire
L,IIIs formed part of the Air Spotting Pool of No 34 Reconnaissance
Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force, providing offensive sweeps and
bombardment spotting duties, remaining at Lee-on-Solent until August
1944.
In December 1944, the squadron embarked on HMS Ruler for the British
Pacific Fleet, having re-equipped with 24 Hellcat Is and IIs the
previous month.
After providing fighter cover for the Fleet, the squadron
disembarked at Ponam in June 1945, and the aircraft refitted with
rocket projectiles. The squadron was due to join the new 12th
Carrier Air Group, and embarked on HMS Indefatigable, but with
VJ-Day the squadron disbanded at Schofields in September 1945.
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