777 Naval Air Squadron
777 Naval Air Squadron | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Active | 1941–44 1945–46[1] |
Country | UK |
Branch | Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm |
Role | Fleet Requirements Unit |
Aircraft flown |
|
777 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Requirements Unit which was formed in West Africa during the Second World War.[2]
History[]
The squadron was formed at RAF Hastings in Sierra Leone, West Africa on 1 August 1941. This airfield was located 8 miles (13 km) South East of the port city of Freetown, and was sited about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) North East of the village of Hastings.[2] The squadron initially operated only Fairey Swordfish and Blackburn Roc aircraft. However, by 1942 the squadron had acquired some Boulton Paul Defiant and Supermarine Walrus aircraft.[3] [4]
In March 1943, the control of the airfield was given over to the Admiralty and was given the name HMS Spurwing, but the airfield was also known as RNAS Hastings.[5]
Second World War[]
During 1943, 777 squadron was involved with the air defence of Sierra Leone, a task which they fulfilled for most of the year.[4]
Between 1942 and 1944, the squadron flew Walrus amphibious aircraft on search and rescue sorties as well as anti-submarine patrols.[6][7]
During the squadron's existence, there were several accidents in April, June and October 1944, three Target Tug Boulton Paul Defiants belonging to the squadron were written off.[clarification needed] It seems that in all three of these incidents, there were no fatalities.[8][9][10]
However an accident involving Sub-Lieutenant D.R. Bentley, who was one of 777 pilots, on 9 June 1943 sadly claimed his life.[11]
777 Squadron disbanded on 25 December 1944.[4][5]
Post war[]
The squadron was reformed on 23 May 1945 from 'B' Flight 778 Naval Air Squadron as a trials unit for service aboard HMS Pretoria Castle using a variety of aircraft including Supermarine Seafire's and de Havilland Mosquito's.[1]
Aircraft operated[]
The squadron operated a variety of different aircraft and versions:[1]
- Blackburn Roc I
- Supermarine Walrus
- Fairey Swordfish I & II
- Boulton Paul Defiant TT.1
- Vought Kingfisher I
- Fairey Firefly I
- Vought Corsair III
- Grumman Avenger I
- Fairey Barracuda II
- Grumman Hellcat I
- Taylorcraft Auster I
- Supermarine Seafire
- de Havilland Mosquito FB.VI & B.25
References[]
Citations[]
- ^ a b c Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 97.
- ^ a b Drury, Tony (2013). "Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 to the present:RNAS Hastings". royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ Dresner, Jim. "Corporal Timothy Joseph Mahoney RM". Biography. Flying Marines. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ a b c Wragg,David (2005). Stringbag: The Fairey Swordfish at War. Barnsley: Pen & Sword. p. 189.
- ^ a b Drury, Tony (2013). "Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 to the present:RNAS Hastings". royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ "Naval Obituaries". Dennis Kirby – obituary. 16 February 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ Murray, Cathy (2013). "I Think I Prefer the Tinned Variety(Blog)". Norman Buckle's diary. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ "ASN Aircraft Accident 21-APR-1944 Boulton Paul Defiant TT Mk I AA432". Aviation-Safety Network. 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ "ASN Aircraft Accident 02-JUN-1944 Boulton Paul Defiant TT Mk I AA431". Aviation Safety Network. 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ "ASN Aircraft Accident 11-OCT-1944 Boulton Paul Defiant TT Mk I DR 884". Aviation Safety Network. 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ Kindell, Don. Gordon Smith (ed.). "Casualty Lists of the Royal Navy and Dominion Navies, World War 2 1st – 30th JUNE 1943". Retrieved 21 September 2015.
Bibliography[]
- Sturtivant, R; Ballance, T (1994). The Squadrons of The Fleet Air Arm. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-223-8.
- 700 series Fleet Air Arm squadrons
- Military units and formations established in 1941
- Military units and formations of the Royal Navy in World War II