852 Naval Air Squadron


852 Naval Air Squadron, also called 852 Squadron, was a Fleet Air Arm naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy. It operated both Grumman Avenger and Grumman Wildcat between 1943 and 1944.
It was established at Squantum, Massachusetts, in November 1943, as a Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance with Grumman Avenger Mk.I. In February 1944, the squadron traveled across the USA to California, before embarking in HMS Nabob. After training and adding a flight of four Grumman Wildcat Mk V, the squadron re-embarked for anti-shipping missions and mine-laying off the coast of Norway. The carrier was hit by a torpedo but managed to return to Scapa Flow in August. 852 Naval Air Squadron then moved to HMS Trumpeter, where the fighter flight upgraded to Grumman Wildcat Mk VI, but the squadron was disbanded in October.

History

Torpedo, Bomber, Reconnaissance squadron (1943-1944)

The squadron was officially established on 1 November 1943 at RN Air Section Squantum, which was situated at Naval Air Station Squantum, Quincy, Massachusetts, designated as a Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance unit, equipped with twelve Grumman Avenger Mk.I torpedo bomber aircraft.
In February 1944, the squadron traveled across the United States to California, making overnight stops in Virginia, Arkansas, and Texas, before boarding the,.
The squadron arrived at RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail), Argyll and Bute, Scotland, on 6 April. In May 1944, a contingent of four Grumman Wildcat Mk V fighter aircraft was incorporated into the squadron, which subsequently re-embarked to conduct mine-laying operations and anti-shipping missions in the waters off Norway.
On 22 August, the vessel was struck by a torpedo from the German submarine U-354; nevertheless, it was able to return to Scapa Flow, arriving on 27 August. The squadron was reassigned to the Ruler-class escort channel,, on 9 October. The fighter unit underwent re-equipment with Grumman Wildcat Mk VIs. However, on 17 October the squadron was disbanded.
A proposal to reform the squadron for deployment in the East Indies Fleet in July 1945 ultimately did not come to fruition.

Aircraft flown

The squadron has flown a couple of different aircraft types:

Battle honours

The following Battle Honours have been awarded to 852 Naval Air Squadron:
  • Norway 1944

Naval air stations and aircraft carriers

852 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy, in the UK and also a number of Royal Navy escort carriers and other airbases overseas:

Commanding officers

List of commanding officers of 852 Naval Air Squadron, with date of appointment:
Note: Abbreviation signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.