856 Naval Air Squadron


856 Naval Air Squadron, sometimes called 856 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 1944 and 1945.
Formed at RN Air Section Squantum, Massachusetts, as a Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadron in January 1944, it set sail on HMS Smiter in June, for the UK. Upon arrival, the squadron underwent anti-submarine training at airbases in Scotland and Northern Ireland, while some units were sent to Orkney, HMS Nabob, and HMS Trumpeter. They regrouped on HMS Premier in September for missions off Norway. From April to May 1945, HMS Premier escorted Arctic convoys and returned to the UK after VE-Day. The squadron was disbanded at in June 1945.

History

Torpedo, Bomber, Reconnaissance squadron (1944–1945)

The squadron was officially established on 1 March 1944 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, on 30 June.
Upon their arrival to the United Kingdom, the squadron underwent anti-submarine training at various locations, including RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail), in Scotland, RNAS Maydown (HMS Shrike) and RNAS Eglinton (HMS Gannet), the latter two both County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Additionally, detachments were deployed to RNAS Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk ), Mainland Orkney, the Ruler-class escort carrier, and sister ship,, which facilitated their operational readiness prior to reassembling aboard another sister ship, on 13 September for subsequent operations in the waters off Norway.
In September, a fighter flight consisting of four Grumman Wildcat Mk VI fighter aircraft was established from 833 Naval Air Squadron, followed by the transfer of an additional four aircraft from 838 Naval Air Squadron in November. Over the subsequent six months, the squadron primarily focused on mine-laying missions along the Norwegian coastline.
In April and May 1945, HMS Premier provided escort for a North Russian convoy that included 856 Naval Air Squadron providing aerial anti-submarine patrols; however, upon its return, the conflict in Europe had concluded.
The intention to transfer 856 Naval Air Squadron to the British Pacific Fleet as a component of the 10th Carrier Air Group was ultimately abandoned, leading to the squadron’s disbandment on 15 June.

Aircraft flown

The squadron has flown a couple of different aircraft types:

Battle honours

The following Battle Honours have been awarded to 856 Naval Air Squadron:

Naval air stations and aircraft carriers

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

Commanding officers

List of commanding officers of 856 Naval Air Squadron with date of appointment:
Note: Abbreviation signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.