817 Naval Air Squadron


817 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy during the Second World War.
In 1941, the squadron operated Fairey Albacore aircraft in the Anti-Submarine Warfare role in Icelandic and Mediterranean waters. The Squadron was reformed in 1943, with Fairey Barracuda aircraft and carried out operations in the Far East before disbanding at the end of the war.
The squadron was reformed as 817 Squadron RAN in 1950.

History

Torpedo, Spotter, Reconnaissance Squadron (1941-1943)

817 Naval Air Squadron formed at RNAS Crail (HMS Jackdaw), Fife, Scotland, on 15 March 1941, as a Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance unit, initially equipped with nine Fairey Albacore biplane torpedo bomber aircraft.
In July, the squadron embarked in the modified as an aircraft carrier converted to an aircraft carrier,, which set sail for an assault on the Arctic port of Petsamo. The subsequent month, the squadron transferred to the,, to conduct operations in the Barents Sea region. This was succeeded by a series of attacks on shipping in Vestfjorden during September and October.
The operations involved maintaining a presence with the carrier while utilising RNAS Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk), Mainland, Orkney, as a land-based support facility. An attempted torpedo strike against the German battleship Tirpitz on 9 March 1942, did not achieve its intended objective. In July, activities were conducted in the Bear Island region.
In October, the squadron reboarded HMS Victorious to participate in the Allied landings in North Africa, Operation Torch. During this operation, a bombing raid was conducted against a fort located at Algiers Harbour on 8 November. Subsequently, on 21 November, one of the squadron's aircraft successfully targeted and sank German submarine U-517 in the North Atlantic.
Following its return home, 817 Naval Air Squadron re-joined HMS Furious at Scapa Flow in February 1943, subsequently transferring to the Illustrious-class fleet carrier the following month. Upon the completion of its work-up period, the ship departed for the Mediterranean to support the landings in Sicily, Operation Avalanche, operating with an augmented complement of fifteen aircraft. However, on 16 July, the vessel sustained significant damage due to a torpedo strike.
HMS Indomitable subsequently proceeded to the United States for repairs; however, the majority of 817 Naval Air Squadron was disembarked at RN Air Section Gibraltar at RAF North Front, with only 'Z' Flight remaining on board. This contingent later disembarked to RN Air Section Norfolk, situated at the United States Navy's Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, where they transferred their aircraft to Trinidad for 750 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Piarco.
The majority of the squadron had already landed at Gibraltar, where it officially disbanded on 1 September 1943.

Torpedo, Bomber, Reconnaissance Squadron (1943-1945)

The squadron reformed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), Hampshire, on 1 December 1943 and the unit retained its commanding officer, but incorporated twelve new Fairey Barracuda aircraft, a torpedo and dive bomber. In January 1944, it became part of the 12th Naval TBR Wing and embarked on the Ruler-class escort carrier,, for the journey to Ceylon. During its time in Ceylon, the Wing conducted operations from land bases before reuniting with HMS Indomitable on 23 July 1943.
In the subsequent month, a bombing raid was executed in Sumatra, which was succeeded by another attack in September and followed by operations in the Nicobar region in October. In November, 817 Naval Air Squadron was reassigned to HMS Unicorn and departed for South Africa, returning to southern India after spending several weeks on land.
The squadron experienced the loss of its aircraft due to a tropical storm. Following this incident, the crews returned home, leading to the disbandment of the squadron on 21 February 1945.
817 Naval Air Squadron was reformed just over five weeks later at RNAS Rattray (HMS Merganser), Aberdeenshire, on 1 April 1945 and was equipped with eighteen Fairey Barracuda Mk II aircraft, which were outfitted with the AN/APS-04, an American ASV radar system. In April, the squadron relocated to RNAS Fearn (HMS Owl), Scottish Highlands, where it prepared to integrate with the 21st Carrier Air Group aboard a Colossus-class aircraft carrier. However, following Victory over Japan Day, the squadron was deemed unnecessary and was officially disbanded on 23 August.

Aircraft operated

The squadron has operated a couple of different aircraft types:

Battle honours

The battle honours awarded to 817 Naval Air Squadron are:

Assignments

817 Naval Air Squadron was assigned as needed to form part of a number of larger units:

Naval air stations and aircraft carriers

817 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force stations, in the UK and overseas, and also a number of Royal Navy fleet carriers and escort carriers and other airbases overseas:
1941 - 1943
1943 - 1945
1945

Commanding officers

List of commanding officers of 817 Naval Air Squadron, with date of appointment:
1941 - 1943
1943 - 1945
  • Lieutenant Commander T.W. May, RNVR, from 1 December 1943
  • disbanded - 21 February 1945
1945
  • Lieutenant Commander M.A. Lacayo, RN, from 1 April 1945
  • disbanded - 23 August 1945
Note: Abbreviation signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.