853 Naval Air Squadron


853 Naval Air Squadron, otherwise referred to as 853 Squadron, was a Fleet Air Arm naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy. It last operated both Grumman Avenger Mk.II and Grumman Wildcat Mk VI during the Second World War.
It was established at RN Air Section Squantum as a Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadron, in December 1943. After training, it joined HMS Arbiter in May and set sail for the UK. At the same time, a fighter flight of four Grumman Wildcat Mk V was created at HMS Gannet, RNAS Eglinton, but it disbanded after just ten days on HMS Formidable in June 1944. A new fighter flight was formed with four Grumman Wildcat Mk VI in September 1944, preparing for the squadron to join HMS Tracker in September to escort an Arctic convoy. The squadron moved to HMS Queen in January 1945, for operations off Norway, followed by more Arctic convoy missions, using HMS Sparrowhawk, RNAS Hatston, as a shore base. It was disbanded in May 1945.

History

Torpedo, Bomber, Reconnaissance squadron (1943-1945)

The squadron was officially established on 1 December 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.II torpedo bomber aircraft, which later embarked aboard the,.
A majority of the pilots had recently completed their training in Florida, while the observers were trained in Trinidad, and the Telegraphist Air Gunners hailed from the United Kingdom. The initial preparation phase was hampered by severe cold conditions, which occasionally resulted in the freezing of the waters in Boston Bay. In March 1944, the squadron dispatched the ground personnel and supplies to Vancouver, Canada, via train, subsequently flying across the United States with a route that included Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, and California before arriving in Vancouver.
Following the completion of their training, the squadron embarked on the Ruler-class escort carrier,, on 31 May 1944, and set sail for the United Kingdom. Concurrently, a fighter flight consisting of four Grumman Wildcat Mk V fighter aircraft was established at RNAS Eglinton, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland; however, this unit was disbanded after a brief ten-day period aboard the,, in June 1944.
In August, a new fighter flight consisting of four Grumman Wildcat Mk.VI was established. During the same month, the entire squadron was integrated into,. By October, the ship commenced anti-submarine patrols while providing escort for a North Russian convoy.
The squadron was reassigned to the Ruler-class escort carrier,, on 27 January 1945, to conduct operations in the vicinity of Norway, subsequently engaging in additional Arctic convoy missions, utilising RNAS Hatston, Mainland, Orkney, as its land-based support facility.
On 4 May, as part of Operation Judgement and conducted with 846 Naval Air Squadron from the Ruler-class escort carrier,, led to the destruction of the German submarine U-711, as well as the depot ship and the torpedo carrier Meteor, in an assault near Harstadt, Norway.
The conflict in Europe concluded shortly thereafter, leading to the disbandment of the squadron on 30 May.

Aircraft flown

The squadron has flown a couple of different aircraft types:
  • Grumman Avenger Mk.II torpedo bomber
  • Grumman Wildcat Mk V fighter aircraft
  • Grumman Wildcat Mk VI fighter aircraft

    Battle honours

The following Battle Honours have been awarded to 853 Naval Air Squadron:
853 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:
List of commanding officers of 853 Naval Air Squadron, with date of appointment:
  • Lieutenant Commander N.G. Haigh, RNVR, from 1 November 1943
  • Lieutenant Commander J.M. Glaser, RN, from 20 December 1944
  • disbanded - 30 May 1945
Note: Abbreviation signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.