Although the main squadron had been absorbed into 881 the two aircraft detached to operate from ARCHER remained on the books as 882 squadron.

ARCHER finally left Freetown on May 15th bound for Cape Town on route to Mombasa and then to the Suez Canal to enter the Mediterranean, ferrying fighters to points along the way. Passage to Cape Town was a rough one and only essential flying was possible, several landing incidents kept the air engineering department busy; on reaching Cape Town on the 24th the sea was so rough ARCHER rolled eighteen degrees before entering the lee of the harbour. The serviceable squadron aircraft were flown ashore to RNAS Wingfield for compass swinging while the ship prepared to load her ferry cargo of six Hurricanes for delivery to Mombasa.

The stopover was only supposed to be 25 hours, long enough to embark the six Hurricanes and then sail for Mombasa, but her engines gave out yet again and it was not until the 28th that ARCHER finally left the quayside. The ship could now only manage 12 knots and this lack of speed meant there was insufficient wind over her deck to operate her aircraft; signals about the continuing decline of her machinery had finally got results and she was recalled only hours after leaving port to await orders for passage to Greenock. Once back alongside in Cape Town she embarked passengers and cargo for the UK, amongst this cargo was three million pounds sterling in gold ingots under armed guard. She sailed from Cape Town on June 8th.

Another signal concerning ARCHER's engines was received on the 15th, this once again countermanded her orders to sail to the UK, this time she was ordered to New York for much needed engine repairs. ARCHER made for Freetown in order to disembark her passengers and the gold. Also, on this date Dub-Lt Lester landed on with his arrester hook up and entered the barrier in AL253.

The passage back to Freetown was marred by tragedy on the 19th when armourers were handling a 250lb bomb which exploded in a walkway on the edge of the flight deck, the blast killed eight men and injured eleven more, one of which died from his wounds two days later. A large hole was ripped through the hanger bulkhead starting a fire which activated the fire suppression system; one aircraft was damaged before the fire was extinguished. Those who died at the time of the explosion were buried at sea, the man who died later form his wounds was buried in Freetown.

ARCHER departed from Freetown on June 26th for New York and was once again plagued by faults; her engines broke down completely on July 3rd leaving her drifting in mid-Atlantic while her engineers went to work. The duty Swordfish patrol aircraft was aloft to provide air cover against the very real threat of U-Boats; the Admiralty warnings indicated that her course to the US would put the ship at risk of encountering as many as 23 enemy submarines. Her Martlets were inoperable without wind over the fight deck. Her engines were back on line later that day and ARCHER's captain decided to head for the Naval Base at Bermuda to effect repairs before continuing on the New York.

While at Bermuda an outbreak of Flu put the squadron aircrew out of action and the only man fit to fly was the Commander Flying, he spent the first three days out of Bermuda on constant readiness to launch a Swordfish but was not called upon to take to the air. ARCHER had been given a destroyer as escort and US sea planes patrolled her course, several suspicious contacts were chased down by the destroyer and patterns of depth charges dropped.

HMS ARCHER reached the safety of the harbour at New York on July 15th, anchoring just inside the harbour wall to off load aviation petrol and ammunition in preparation for entering the shipyard; her aircraft were flown off to operate ashore from USNAS Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn. Two days later ARCHER proceeded into the harbour and made her way to the shipyard at Hoboken, New Jersey where she was to undergo repairs to her machinery and receive modifications to improve her aircraft ferrying capabilities. The 882-squadron detachment officially ended on September 30th and disappears from the records.
 

882 (2) September 1942 - October 1945
 

Formation and work-up

A new No.882 formed at RNAS Donibristle on September 7th 1942 with 12 Martlet IVs, for service in the Fleet Carrier VICTORIOUS, under the command of Lt. (A) I. LF. Lowe DSC RN. After familiarisation with the aircraft and equipment the squadron moved to RNAS Hatston, Orkney, departing on September 29th with an overnight at RAF Lossiemouth they arrived on October 1st to join VICTORIOUS.

The squadron embarked in VICTORIOUS on October 6th for flying training and squadron work-up. On the 14th the first squadron landing accident occurred when Sub-Lt K. B. Pearson RNVR made a heavy landing in FN107 causing the undercarriage to collapse. On the 16th the Fleet Carrier VICTORIOUS (Flag of Rear Admiral, Aircraft Carriers), and Escort Carriers AVENGER, and BITER sailed from Scapa at noon, for passage to the Clyde escorted by the destroyers MILNE (Captain (D3)) with METEOR, ORIBI, OFFA, FORESTER, and LEDBURY, arriving at Greenock at 17:00 the following day. The next nine days were spent in the Clyde area for combined operations exercises and working up squadrons.

HMS VICTORIOUS underway.

Allocated for participation in Operation TORCH: 8 - 16 November 1942

‘TORCH’ was a series of allied amphibious landings in French North Africa commencing on November 8th 1942. VICTORIOUS and her squadrons were allocated to Force ‘H’ for the operation.

Force ‘H’ comprising of the battleships DUKE OF YORK (flag Vice-Admiral E. N. Syfret, CB, RN), NELSON, battlecruiser RENOWN, light cruiser ARGONAUT. They were escorted by the destroyers MILNE (Captain (D3)), MARTIN, METEOR, HMAS QUIBERON, ASHANTI, TARTAR AND ESKIMO departed Scapa Flow around 16:30 on the 30th. The Fleet Carriers VICTORIOUS, (flag, Rear Admiral A. L. St. G. Lyster, CB, CVO, DSO, RN) and FORMIDABLE and their escort, the destroyers PATHFINDER, PARTRIDGE, PORCUPINE, QUALITY and QUENTIN departed the Clyde around 23:00 on the 30th. The two forces made rendezvous around 10:00 on October 31st and set course for Gibraltar.

Operation "TORCH", saw the formation of three amphibious task forces to simultaneously seize the key ports and airports in Morocco and Algeria, targeting Casablanca (US western Task Force), Oran (British Centre Takes Force) and Algiers (British Eastern Task Force). The landings took place on the night of 7th/8th November 1942.

The Centre Naval Task group (covering Oran) comprised of the battleship RODNEY, Fleet carrier FURIOUS (801 Sqn - 12 Seafire, 807 Sqn - 12 Seafire, 822 Sqn - 8 Albacore) and CVEs BITER (800 Sqn -15 Sea Hurricane, 833 Sqn A flight – 3 Swordfish) and DASHER (804 Sqn 6 Sea Hurricane, 891 Sqn 6 Sea Hurricane). light cruisers JAMAICA and AURORA, AA cruiser DELHI, AA ship ALYNBANK, Destroyers BOREAS, BRILLIANT, BOADICEA, BULLDOG, BEAGLE, AMAZON, ACHATES, ANTELOPE, WIVERN, WESTCOTT, VERITY, VANSITTART, escort destroyers AVON VALE, FARNDALE, PUCKERIDGE, CALPE, submarines URSULA , HMS P 54, minesweepers RHYL, FELIXSTOWE, CLACTON, POLRUAN, ROTHESAY, TORNOWAY, BUDE , BRIXHAM, sloops ABERDEEN, DEPTFORD), cutters HARTLAND, WALNEY, frigates EXE, SWALE, corvettes GARDENIA, VETCH, RHODODENDRON, VIOLET, M/S trawlers CORIOLANUS, FLUELLEN, HORATIO, EDAY, INCHMARNOCK, KERRERA, SHIANT, RONALDSAY, motor launches ML 280, ML 458, ML 463, ML 469, ML 471, ML 480, ML 483 and the harbour defence motor launches HDML 1127, HDML 1128 and HDML 1139.

At Oran landings by the Central Task Force were made along a 52 mile stretch of coast line divided into four sectors; ‘R’, ‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’. The assault began, after some delay at 01:16 on November 8th. The Carrier Force was to focus on Landing sector ‘Z’. FURIOUS, BITER and DASHER were on station at position CF, 25 nautical miles north of Oran on the morning of November 8th and flying operations began at 05:00.

At 02:45 the Cutters WALNEY and HARTLAND with ML 480 and ML 483 in company, approached the entrance to Oran harbour. The cutters were to land American troops and anti-sabotage parties with orders to seize the shore batteries covering the harbour, prevent the scuttling of the dock and harbour works and prevent the blockage of the harbour.

At 05:27 the Cruiser AURORA, which was patrolling five miles away to the northward, opened fire on a searchlight installation in the harbour which was illuminating HARTLAND, successfully extinguishing its beam. Then shortly before first light she engaged and disabled a Vichy-French destroyer from a range of 6000 yards which later sank. Around 06:00 two more Vichy-French destroyers were seen and were soon in action with the British Destroyers BOADICEA and CALPE, but when they fired torpedoes at AURORA, she too opened fire from 13600 yards hitting one of the French destroyers with a broadside, being severely damaged and set on fire she was driven inshore; in the ensuing fight BOADICEA was hit forward. The action ended abruptly at 07:27, when the other French destroyer, on being hit aft, turned and fled Meanwhile the sloop/minelayer LA SURPRISE was sunk by BRILLIANT around 06:30.

The primary mission of the Carrier Force was a strike by 8 Albacores launched from FURIOUS, escorted by six Hurricanes from 804 Sqn, DASHER as top cover, and six from 800 Sqn, BITER as close escort, to attack the airfield at La Senia. The strike force departed at 06:00, the Albacores were attacked by Dw520 fighters over La Senia as they began their attack dive, but they destroyed 46 aircraft on the ground despite the Strike leader going down in flames in his first dive. Three Albacores failed to return, but two of the crews were safe; two others returned with damage from French fighters. Pilots from BITER’s 800 Sqn had 5 Dw520s confirmed destroyed over the airfield and a further 7 were destroyed by strafing on the ground.

At 06:30 Ten Seafires from 807 Sqn launched from FURIOUS to strafe the Vichy French airfields at Tafraoui and La Senia, despite heavy flak and enemy fighter they set fire to several aircraft at each and damaging many more.

The loss of the Albacores at La Senia was blamed on the pilots of 804 Sqn; they were not sufficiently worked up before joining DASHER for the operation. As Top cover for the strike they failed to spot the French fighters and so took no part in the dog fights that ensued with the low cover. This lack of training was further highlighted on their return leg from the strike; 8 of her 12 aircraft failed to return to DASHER; 3 from 891 Sqn, AM288 (was shot down by a Dw520 over La Senia airfield and JS332 failed to return, both pilots were safe; JS226 crashed killing the pilot Sub-Lt D. C. Greenhill, RNVR. 5 aircraft from 804 failed to find DASHER on completion of the strike, although they found FURIOUS, they failed to contact her for directions and eventually flew back inland, one, AM277 crashed on beach at St. Leu, Algeria the other 4 safely landed on a flat Salt Lake, they were flown off later when fuel was found. DASHER now had only 4 serviceable Sea Hurricanes. In order to balance the remaking aircraft in the escort carriers 4 Sea Hurricanes form 800 Sqn from BITER were directed to land on DAHER on their return from patrols over the beach at Arzeu. These aircraft were to remain on her in lieu of 804 and 891 aircraft which had all failed to return from the strike mission, each carrier operating 9 aircraft. Both carriers were now assigned to fly Combat Air Patrols (CAP) over the force and the beaches. Seafires from FURIOUS flew CAP over the airfields at Tafraoui and La Senia. Flying ceased on D-Day at 17:00, on withdrawing from the area maintenance crews worked overnight to maximise the number available for operation on D +1. The Vichy-French at Oran capitulated around noon on the 10th D +2.

During Operation TORCH the Centre Naval Task group Carrier Force had flown 141 sorties; FURIOUS flew 73 (62 Fighter and 11 Bomber), BITER 40, and DASHER 28. A total of 25 aircraft were lost; 5 Albacore, 7 |Seafire, 12 Sea Hurricane and 1 Fulmar. 6 Sea Hurricanes were seriously damaged in barrier crashes.

The Eastern Naval Task group (covering Algiers) comprising of the training carrier HMS ARGUS (880 Sqn - 18 Seafire) with AVENGER (802 Sqn - 9 Sea Hurricane, 883 Sqn - 6 Sea Hurricane, 833 Sqn B flight – 3 Swordfish). They were to operate as part of Force ‘O’ in company with the light cruiser SHEFFIELD (flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), AA cruisers CHARYBDIS and SCYLLA, AA ship TYNWALD, Destroyers BROKE, CLARE, MALCOLM, VANOC, WRESTLER, and ORP BLYSKAWICA and the escort destroyers LAMERTON N, WHEATLAND and WILTON to provide cover for ships of the Eastern Task Force during the landings near Algiers.

ARGUS and AVENGER operated as part of Force ‘O’, they provided Combat Air Patrol (CAP) cover for the assault ships on the night of the 7th before switching to provide CAP cover over all three beaches; A and B, to the west of Algiers and C to the east and Blida airfield, flying commencing at 08:50 on the 8th. Aircraft made strikes against coastal defenses and the airfields of Blida and in bison Blanche.

Around 06:15 on the 10th, AVENGER, CHARYBDIS and CLARE were ordered to proceed to Algiers Bay. Both AVENGER and CLARE had reported engine defects and they were therefore sent to Algiers Bay to try to effect repairs. Around 16:45 that afternoon a formation of enemy aircraft was reported to be about 70 miles to the north-east of ' Force O ' and closing. At 17:05, 11 Ju-88's were sighted and they started dive bombing attacks. At 17:17, ARGUS was straddled and then hit by one bomb. Damage was done but it was not serious and she was able to continue to operate. At 17:27, IBIS was observed to be hit by a torpedo and she sank in about five minutes.

Operations went faster than anticipated and the Vichy French forces were subdued within days Between the 8th and 10th AVENGER launched 60 fighter sorties. She was targeted by a He111 torpedo-bomber on the 9th, the attack was resulted in near misses. On the 10th she suffered engine trouble which reduced her speed to 14 knots; She transferred her 4 remaining serviceable Sea Hurricanes to ARGUS (which had 7 remaining serviceable Seafires). She then entered the newly occupied Port of Algiers for engine repairs.

Around 22:00 on the 10th, Force 'O' set course 95nm to the eastwards so as to be off the port of Bougie, by dawn on the11th. Around 13::00 on the 11th, the Cruiser SHEFFIELD re-joined and ' Force O ' proceeded back to the westwards. Force’ O' left the operations area at dawn on the 13th to return to Gibraltar.

AVENGER Had departed Algiers around 18:0o on the12th, in company with the attack transport USS SAMUEL CHASE, American transport ALMAACK and the Dutch troop transport DEMPO. They were escorted out by the destroyers WISHART, VELOX and the escort destroyer ZETLAND. The later returned to Algiers when the small convoy rendezvoused with Force ‘O’.

The Western Task Force, (covering Casablanca) was composed of American units, including five Carriers and 12 squadrons.

Force 'H’, was a covering force which included the Fleet carriers FORMIDABLE (885 Sqn - 6 Seafire, 888 Sqn - 12 Martlet, 893 Sqn - 12 Martlet, 820 Sqn -12 Albacore) and VICTORIOUS (884 Sqn - 6 Seafire, 882 Sqn - 12 Martlet, 809 Sqn - 6 Fulmar, 817 Sqn – 9 Albacore, 834 Sqn – 9 Albacore).

Force 'H' and the fuelling force, Force ' R ', cruised in the area of Algiers on the 8th The carriers of Force ‘H’ were on call to provide CAP, TacR and strikes sorties in support of the Center and Eastern leading areas. VICTORIOUS flew CAP, and TacR sorties throughout the day, flying finished at 17:00, her aircraft had flown 57 sorties for the loss of one Fulmar. FORMIDABLE flew CAP and strike sorties as requested, and by end of the day had flown 77 sorties for the loss of one Martlet and two others damaged in landing accidents. At 18:30 Force ‘H’ turned north and steam on this course until midnight, reaching position 39°00'N, 02°29'E before turning back to resume patrolling off Algiers again during the 9th.

On the 9th VICTORIOUS & FORMIDABLE brogan launching CAP and A/S patrols from 05:45. At5 13:00 radar detected a large number of German aircraft, JU88s and He111s approaching Force H from the northwest. At 13:15 CAP Martlets form 882 Sqn intercepted and two enemy aircraft were engaged; a JU88 was badly damaged by Lt B. H.C Nation RNVR and Sub-Lt J. B. Madden RNVR, it was last seen with its starboard engine smoking. Sub-Lt R. Tebble RNVR and Sub-Lt P. D. C. Street RNVR attacked a He111which fell into the sea in flames, the crew having baled out. ON the same day FN154 flown by Sub-Lt J. A. Cotching RNVR floated into the barrier; the aircraft was a write-off but the pilot was OK.

Around 16:30a second raid developed approaching from the south, these were engaged by Martlets from FORMIDABLE which damaged three JU88s before the raid broke up FORMIDABLE’s guns shot ne down. On returning to the ship after an abortive dusk chase after 3 Ju88 Capt F. D. G. Bird RM. CO of 888 Sqn had a barrier crash in AJ147. FORMIDABLE lost an aircraft that day when Sub-Lt P. J. F. Gill RNVR of 893 Sqn attempted to land on in Martlet FN 119 with oil on the windscreen, the aircraft went over the port side on landing but was snagged on and held up by boat davits; after the pilot was safely extracted the machine was jettisoned.

During the night of 9/10 November Force 'H’ steamed eastwards at 60 miles from the North-African coast, turning back 30 miles to the east of Bougie at midnight. November 10th was uneventful, but 882 Sqn had one aircraft damaged, FN 126 flown by Sub-Lt T. G. Hartshorne RVR made a t fast landing, caught a wire but broke the hook and entered the barrier. By noon on the 10th Force H ' was in position 37°08'N, 01°36'E, between Algiers and Tenez, with the fuelling force close at hand. From then onwards 'Force H patrolled 60 miles from the coast between Algiers and Cape Tenez.

Force ‘H’ split into two groups on the morning of November 14th to return to Gibraltar. One Fleet Carrier in each group; DUKE OF YORK, FORMIDABLE, BERMUDA, ARGONAUT, SIRIUS, ESKIMO, ASHANTI, TARTAR, OPPORTUNE, PARTRIDGE, PATHFINDER, PENN AND PORCUPINE in one group, RODNEY, RENOWN, VICTORIOUS, MILNE, METEOR, QUALITY, QUENTIN, QUIBERON, LOOKOUT, CALPE, FARNDALE and PUCKERIDGE formed the other group.

Around 15:30Z on November 19th DUKE OF YORK, VICTORIOUS, OPPORTUNE, MATCHELESS and LIMBOURNE sailed from Gibraltar to return to the UK. They arrived at Greenock shortly before noon on November 23rd 1942. 882 Sqn was flown ashore to RNASA Machrihanish the day before. The squadron moved north to RNAS Hatston the next day.

VICTORIOUS under repair and loaned to the US navy for operations in the Pacific

The squadron stayed at RNAS Hatston until December 13 when they departed to return to RNAS Machrihanish to await the arrival of VICTORIOUS. While ashore a new commanding officer arrived, Lt. Cdr E. A. Shaw RN assumed command on December 3rd. The squadron flew out to re-join the ship on December 20th when she departed from the Clyde bound for America to undergo repairs at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia. Already on board were the personnel and aircrew of 832 squadron; until now equipped with 12 Albacore they were to receive new equipment on arrival in the US. VICTORIOUS arrived at Norfolk on January 1st 1943 and her squadrons were disembarked to operate ashore at USNAS Norfolk.

VICTORIOUS began re-embarking her squadrons on February 1st 1943, when 882 flew out form USNAS Norfolk.. The ship also embarked two new squadrons, 896 and 898 each equipped with 6 Martlet IV, 896 on the 1st and 898 on the 3rd. 832 was now equipped with 12 Avenger TBM-1s, on loan from the US Navy and they also re-joined on the 3rd. VICTORIOUS spent the next two weeks working up before she took passage to Pearl Harbour, Hawaii via the Panama Canal, sailing on February 14th, arriving there on March 4th.

The Carrier was to be loaned to the US Navy after an American plea for carrier reinforcement in the south west Pacific; they had lost USS HORNET and USS ENTERPRISE was badly damaged at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, this left only one fleet carrier, the USS SARATOGA, operational in the Pacific in late December 1942.

There was one serious flying incident during this voyage, on February 25th Avenger BuAer.06110 ('4X') of 832 caught a wire but ran to the edge of the flight deck and fell on top of the port crane, caught fire and burnt-out. Despite being pulled from the burning aircraft all three crew later died from their injuries; I.t H. Eyre RNVR & Sub-Lt W. H. G. Browne RNVR both died of bums the next day, their air gunner Leading Airman W. F. Lovell dies on the 28th. On arrival at Pearl Harbour her squadrons were flown ashore the USNAS Barbers Point while the ship entered the dockyard for alterations to allow for correct operation of the American built Avenger and Wildcat aircraft types. During this period damage incurred during the voyage was repaired including her port seaplane crane and one of her boats damaged during the Avenger crash on deck on February 25th. Additional close-range armament, both 20mm & 40mmmounts were fitted including additional sponsons outboard of island structure. The ship’s arrester gear was also to receive and upgrade for operating the heavier Avenger.

Operation ‘TOENAILS’ and ‘CARTWHEEL’

All squadrons re-embarked in VICTORIOUS on May 7th 1943, she sailed the next day to begin exercises with US aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA and US battleship NORTH CAROLINA. During her time on loan, she was code named (but not renamed) as USS Robin for signals purposes. On completion of this work-up for service with US Navy she took passage to join the US Third Fleet Task Group 36.3 for support of US landing operations. The ship arrival at the fleet anchorage at Noumea, New Caledonia on May 17th and joined the carrier USS SARATOGA in Task Force 14 for sweeps through the Coral Sea and joint exercises and operations. The two aircraft carriers had a mix of US and British squadrons, with air-cover provided by VICTORIOUS and strike aircraft by SARATOGA.

On returning to New Caledonia her squadrons flew ashore to USAAF Tontouta Airfield on June 13th. After a short stay they re-embarked on the 16th for a short foray to sea, disembarking to Tontouta on the 20th.

Her squadrons next embarked on June 27th, this time for the ship’s deployment with USS SARATOGA and TG63.3 in operation ‘TOENAILS’ the Munda landings on the island of New Georgia in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, the first major Allied offensive in the Solomon Islands which began on June 30th, and operation ‘CARTWHEEL’ – the larger overarching plan for invading the Islands by US Marines in the Middle Solomons.

On completion of Operation ‘TOENAILS’ VICTORIOUS returned to Noumea on July 25th, disembarking aircraft to USAAF Tontouta for a final 7-day spell ashore before sailing for a second deployment with TG63.3 on the 31st, this time in support of the Bougainville invasion.

On July 13th Martlet FN221 (896 Sqn) went over the starboard side landing on VICTORIOUS, the pilot Sub-Lt. L J.B. Madden RNVR was recovered unhurt. An 898 Sqn aircraft, FN274 was lost on August 4th, it stalled into the sea after take-off, the pilot, Sub Lt G. Waite RNZNVR was OK.

On release from operations in the Pacific HMS VICTORIOUS sailed for the US Naval Operating Base at Norfolk, Virginia, calling at Pearl Harbour and San Diego. The ship arrived at Hawaii on August 9th and her squadrons were disembarked to UDNAS Barbers Point again. This was only a short stay however, they re-embarked on the 12th and the ship arrived at San Diego California at 09:23 on August 18th and moored alongside at pier ‘X’. She sailed at 14:10 the next day for the Panama Canal.

The ship arrived at Norfolk at 18:00 on September 1st and spent the next two weeks there. 882 & 896 Sqns were disembarked to USNAS Norfolk on September 1st, moving to USNAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania the next day to re-equip with new Wildcat Mk.Vs; 882 remains at a strength of 12 aircraft, 896 increasing to 10.

HMS VICTORIOUS sailed for the first leg of her passage to the UK on the 17th arriving at Argentia, Nova Scotia, on the 129th; after an overnight layover she combined escorted by OPPORTUNE, OBDURATE, and CALDE. On her arrival off the Irish coast on September26th her three Wildcat squadrons flew ashore to RNAS Eglinton, Northern Ireland, ending their time with VICTORIOUS.
 

Joining the 7th Naval Fighter Wing

One month after arriving at RNAS Eglinton the Wildcat squadrons were to become part of No. 7 Naval Fighter Wing which formed at Eglinton on October 30th. The wing comprised of six squadrons for service in Escort Carriers; two Hellcat squadrons 800 and 804 for service in the Assault Carrier EMPEROR, and four Wildcat squadrons for service on the fighter carriers, 881 and 896 for PURSUER and 882 and 898 for SEARCHER. On arrival at Eglinton 898 had re-equipped with ten Wildcat Vs and began training and working-up with 882 Sqn in preparation for joining their next ship.

At the time of 882 arriving in the UK SEARCHER was in the dockyard of Messrs. Harland and Wolff n Liverpool completing a period of modification work to bring her to RN standards. The ship began post modification sea trials on October 6th before being allocated to Western Approaches command for convoy protection duties.

882 and 898 squadrons worked up together at RNAS Eglinton conducting training sorties and exercises over Northern Ireland throughout October and November 1943.

Operations with H.M.S. SEARCHER: December 43 – October 45

Both squadrons embarked on December 6th to prepare for the ships first operational outing, as part of the west bound convoy UC.8 which departed from Liverpool on December 18th 1943 for New York City. Although worked-up to a satisfactory level and could safely operate her squadron aircraft SEARCHER was travelling to New York to have repairs made to her L.P. Rotor. This was a common fault with the US escort carriers and was usually repaired or replaced while in a US dockyard before entering service. The ships of the Bogue class batch 1, the ‘Attacker’ class sailed for the UK without the benefit of this work being done prior to their departure.

Convoy UC.8 depart Liverpool on December 18th 1943 and was sue to arrive at New York City on January 2nd 1944. SEARCHER suffered engine troublers in position 38°46’ N, 64° 30’ W, on December 31st and a tug was despatched to assist at mid-day on January 1st. She secured alongside at the 35th Street Pier. Brooklyn on January 2nd.882 and 898 disembarked to USNAS Brunswick on January 4th. [1] SEARCHER began her repairs on January 6th.

The work was to take a month to complete and , SEARCHER re-embarked her squadrons on February 8th and sailed for the UK on the 11th with convoy UT.8. It is assumed that convoy defence flying was undertaken on passage. On arrival back in the UK her squadrons flew off to RNAS Eglinton on the 28th, the ship then anchored off Greenock on March 1st to unload stores brought from New York. The following day she re-embarked her squadrons for a two-week work-up in the Clyde training area.

Home Fleet operations: March - June 1944

SEARCHER was loaned to the Home Fleet for her next operation, sailing from the Clyde on March 17th in company with sister CVEs EMPEROR, FENCER, and PURSUER, to participate in providing fighter escort for air attacks on the German battleship TIRPITZ (Operation TUNGSTEN). She arrived at Scapa Flow on the 18th.

Flying training continued through the remainder of March and along with exercises conducted by the carrier force off Scapa. On March 21st Sub Lt C. G. Saltville RNVR (882 Sqn) in JV379 ('6H') caught No.7 wire, and continued into the barrier.

On the 22nd and the 24th EMPEROR, FENCER, PURSUER& SEARCHER and the light cruiser ROYALIST (flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.W.la T. Bisset, RN) with 3 escort destroyers conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. Exercises were carried out on the 27th, and the 28th, the last flying day before the force would sail for the operation. One final, day of exercising the 4 carriers and ROYLAIST were joined by the cruiser JAMACIA and escorted by the destroyers URSA, SWIFT JAVELIN and ORP PIORUN. Sub Lt A Sharpe RNZNVR, (882 Sqn), flying in JV424, one of 898 Squadrons aircraft, had a lucky escape after he swung to starboard landing, the aircraft hit the island structure before falling into the sea and sank.

Operation TUNGSTEN: April 1 – 3rd 1944

Operation TUNGSTEN forces left Scapa on March 30th in two groups; Force 1 comprised Battleships DUKE OF YORK and ANSON, Fleet Carrier VICTORIOUS (1834 & 1836 Sqns – 28 Corsair II, 827 Sqn – 9 Barracuda, 829 Sqn – 12 Barracuda II), Cruiser BELFAST, and 5 destroyers left Scapa early morning and after conducting brief exercises proceeded to a position off Bear Island to cover the passage of convoy JW58. Force 2 comprised the Cruisers ROYALIST (Rear Admiral Escort Carriers), SHEFFIELD, and JAMAICA, Fleet Carrier FURIOUS (801 Sqn – 6 Seafire IIb, 880 Sqn – 8 Seafire L.II.c, 830 & 831 Sqns – 18 Barracuda II), and Escort Carriers FENCER (842 Sqn 12 Swordfish II & 8 Wildcat IV), SEARCHER (882 & 898 Sqns – 20 Wildcat V), EMPEROR (800 & 804 Sqns – 20 Hellcat), PURSUER (881 & 896 Sqns20 Wildcat V), 2 oilers, and 5 destroyers left Scapa p.m. and preceded west of the Orkneys.

On April 1st, the date for the operation, which had been April 4th, was advanced 24 hours to take advantage of favourable weather and lack of air reconnaissance of Force 1. Force 1's first screen from Skaalefiord joined Force 2 the following day and on April 1st the two oilers with two destroyers were detached to the oiling position. On April, 2nd ANSON, VICTORIOUS, BELFAST, and 4 destroyers were detached from Force 1 and joined Force 2. The TUNGSTEN force then steered for the flying off position. Flying conditions were perfect when the flying off position was reached at 04:00 on the 3rd and the aircraft were flown off according to plan except for the loss of one Barracuda which ditched. 40 Barracudas and 81 fighters took part in the two strikes and a further 25 fighters and 9 Swordfish were kept for the defence of the Fleet.

The good weather allowed for the two strike forces to obtain their desired heights and to take the best route over the mountains. No enemy aircraft were seen by the strike aircraft or the Fleet and the flak around the TIRPITZ was much less than anticipated. The attack was carried out by both fighters and bombers; fighters strafing the defences from a low height and bombers pressing home an accurate attack. The losses during the attack were remarkably small. One Barracuda was shot down over the target and another by shore batteries, both after dropping their bombs. A third Barracuda was lost taking off from VICTORIOUS and a Hellcat ditched when unable to land on EMPEROR. Both strikes returned and landed on safely with the exception of the one Hellcat. The question of repeating the attack the next day was considered but owing to fatigue of the air crews and serious damage reported to TIRPITZ this was abandoned and the force withdrew to the westward.

The only damage suffered by SEARCHER’s aircraft was on their return to the ship on the 3rd; two had obscured visibility due to oil on their windscreens – JV519 & JV576 ('7M'), both were flown by Sub Lt Harrison RNZNVR and were almost identical incidents, caught last wire, and damaged the prop. The third was Sub Lt A. R. Duff RNZNVR in JV496 ('6V') he missed all the wires and went into the barrier damaging the undercarriage. All incidents were 898 Sqn aircraft.

SEARCHER developed defects later in the day on April 3rd and dropped astern, screened by JAMAICA and destroyers VIRAGO, and SIOUX, the remainder of the force proceeded to Scapa, arriving on the 6th. SEARCHER, JAMAICA, the 2 destroyers and the oiling force returned to Scapa the following day. On arrival at Scapa SEARCHER disembarked her squadrons to RNAS Hatston, Orkney, before sailing p.m. on April 7th for Rosyth for repairs.

SEARCHER was to have taken part in Operation PITCHBOWL and her departure left a big shortfall in available fighters to take part. FENCER however was still at Scapa and as an A/S carrier was not required for this operation, she was to replace SEARCHER and embarked the 20 Wildcats of 882 and 898 on the 11th.
 

Operation PITCHBOWL called for the provision of fighter protection to RAF Beaufighters operating in two strikes against shipping in the Norwegian Leads provided by three CVES of the Home Fleet. The force, comprising of ROYALIST (Rear Admiral Escort Carriers) CVEs EMPEROR, PURSUER, FENCER, Cruisers BERWICK, and SHEFFIELD, escorted by Destroyers MUSKETEER, METEOR, MARNE, MATCHLESS, ONSLAUGHT, PIORUN, and SIOUX, sailed on the 13th, for the flying off position 62°00’ N, 2°30’ E.

Visibility was poor throughout the day and no flying took place. On the following day, the first RAF strike was postponed owing to weather and the force reversed its course. There was no improvement in the weather by the afternoon of the 14th and the first RAF strike was cancelled. The following morning was the same and the operation was abandoned. The force returned to Scapa arriving p.m. on 15th. SEARCHER arrived back at Scapa in the afternoon and her squadrons flew back on board.

Operations PLANET, RIDGE, and VERITAS: April 24rd – 27th 1944

These three operations were all carried out by the same two forces. Force 7 – Battleship ANSON (VA, 2IC Home Fleet), Fleet Carriers VICTORIOUS (1834 & 1836 Sqns – 28 Corsair II, 827 Sqn – 9 Barracuda, 829 Sqn – 12 Barracuda II), and FURIOUS (801 Sqn – 6 Seafire IIb, 880 Sqn – 8 Seafire L.II.c, 830 & 831 Sqns – 18 Barracuda II), Cruiser KENT, Destroyers ALGONQUIN, KEMPENFELT (Captain (D) 26), KELVIN, SIOUX, SWIFT, VENUS, VIGILANT. Force 8 -Cruisers ROYALIST (Rear Admiral Escort Carriers), JAMAICA, CVEs SEARCHER (882 & 898 Sqns – 20 Wildcat V), EMPEROR (800 & 804 Sqns – 20 Hellcat), PURSUER (881 & 896  Sqns20 Wildcat V), STRIKER (824 Sqn – 12 Swordfish II & 6 Sea Hurricanes), Destroyers JAVELIN, ORP PIORUN, SERAPIS, UNDAUNTED, URSA, WAKEFUL, and WIZARD. Both Forces sailed from Scapa on Friday April 21st.

Operation PLANET: This was a repetition of Operation TUNGSTEN, the attack was planned for April 24th and involved 40 Barracudas with 40 escort fighters. When the forces arrived in the area on the 23rd the weather forecasts were unsuitable and they reversed course for 48 hours. Weather on the following day was equally bad. Both forces proceeded to the flying off position but there was no improvement and the Vice Admiral, Second in Command, abandoned the operation and proceeded to carry out Operation RIDGE ABLE.

Operation RIDGE was originally intended to be carried out in two parts – RIDGE ABLE (Attack by Force 7 on the shipping in the Bodo area) and RIDGE BAKER attack by Force 8 on shipping in the Rorvik area). In the event it was decided that both forces should carry out RIDGE ABLE with two strikes, one attacking Bodo harbour and the other sweeping the leads to the southward. The two forces arrived at the flying off position at dawn on April 26th.

Weather conditions were not ideal and were worse inshore and, in the end, both strikes attacked the same target – an escorted convoy of 4 or 5 merchant ships in approximately 67°06’ N, 13°57’ E at about 06:00. The convoy was southbound, presumably having left Bodo about an hour previously. Four merchant ships and one escort vessel were claimed to have been hit with bombs. The largest merchant ship was reported beached and burning and two others on fire.

Two Barracudas and several fighters succeeded in penetrating Bodo Harbour in spite of the weather and one hit was obtained on a large merchant ship. Two other Barracuda bombed a derelict merchant ship ashore and obtained at least one hit. No German aircraft were seen; light but accurate flak was encountered, particularly at Bodo and the force lost 1 Barracuda, 2 Corsairs, 1 Hellcat, and 1 Wildcat.

VICTORIOUS, KENT, and two destroyers were detached at 07:00 to carry out Operation VERITAS and the remainder of Force 7 and 8 returned to Scapa; SEARCHER arrived back at Scapa early in the morning on April 28th, and her squadrons flew ashore to RNAS Hatston.

Operation CROQUET: May 2nd – 7th 1944
After only five days ashore the squadrons were back on board for Operation CROQUET, a strike by aircraft from FURIOUS and SEARCHER against shipping on the Norwegian coast between Bud (62˚55' N, 06˚55' E) and 63˚20' N, 8˚20' E. The Force (BERWICK (Senior Officer), FURIOUS, and SEARCHER, screened by SAVAGE, PIORUN, BLYSKAWICA, ALGONQUIN, WIZARD, and WAKEFUL) left Scapa late on May 3rd and proceeded to the Norwegian coast, arriving in the flying off position early on the 5th. Owing to unfavourable weather, the operation was postponed until the following day and the force reversed course for 12 hours returning to the same position at 0630 on Ma y6th. A striking force of Barracuda from FURIOUS, escorted by Wildcats from SEARCHER were flown off and swept the leads from south to north. Two southbound convoys were found and attacked successfully; one ship of 2500 tons was sunk and one of 6000 tons and a 5000 ton tanker probably sank. An escort vessel was hit by bombs and other merchantmen damaged by near misses.

Two enemy flying boats were shot down by Wildcats from SEARCHER; 1 BV 138, shared by 898 Wildcats JV460 ('7T') & JV538 ('7X'), and JV367 ('6L’) of 882 Sqn crashed into the sea in flames NE of Vevang at 08:10 on May 6th., and a second BV 138 shared by 898Sqn Wildcats JV576 ('7M'), JV487 ('7P'), JV425 ('7Q'), JV404 ('7W'), and JV 384 ('6F') of 882 Sqn, was shot down into the sea, NE of Vevang at 0820. Two Barracudas were lost. SEARCHE’s only casualties were two barrier crashes on returning to the ship Sub Lt J. O, Bignell RNVR (898 Sqn) in JV492 on the 6th and Lt. Cdr O. R. Henderson RNVR (898 Sqn) in JV576 ('7M'), on the 7th. On completion the force retired returning to Scapa, arriving on May 7th. SEARCHER however was detached to join Rear Admiral Escort Carriers' Force for Operation HOOPS.
 

Operation HOOPS was another strike against shipping off the South Norwegian coast. The Force comprised of the Cruisers ROYALIST (Rear Admiral Escort Carriers) and JAMAICA with CVEs EMPEROR , and STRIKER, screened by Destroyers KEMPENFELT, ONSLAUGHT, MARNE, UNDAUNTED, WAGER, and SIOUX left Scapa on the 7th and proceeded west of the Orkneys where SEARCHER joined, 20 miles north of Noup Head having been realised from the Operation CROQUET force. The Force arrived in the flying off position at 07:30 on May 8th and two strikes, each of 8 Hellcats escorted by 8 Wildcats, were flown off. The Hellcats were armed with bombs and this was the first time they had been utilised as Fighter/Bombers even though the pilots had not received any dive-bombing training.
The first strike of 8 Hellcats from 800 Squadron attacked a northbound convoy of 5 merchant ships with ten escorts 15 miles south west of Kristiansand. One merchant ship was probably damaged but two Wildcats were shot down by flak; JV367 ('6L') of 882 Sqn ditched, the pilot, Sub Lt K. B Pearson RNVR was taken prisoner, and JV538 ('7X') 898 Sqn crashed into the sea killing the Pilot Sub Lt I. A. Cotching RNVR.

Returning from the strike the remaining aircraft were 'jumped' by a mixed force of 6 Me 109Gs and FW 190s. One Hellcat JV 107 flown by Sub-Lt R. L. Thompson, RNVR was shot down, he baled out 7 miles off Smolen Island swam away but drowned. The remaining Hellcats engaged with Lt. B. Ritchie, RNVR shooting down a FW190 and Sub-Lt J. G. Devitt, RNVR a Bf109, Sub-Lts T. H. Hoare, RNZNVR and I. D . Scarves RNZNVR shared a second Bf109.

The Second strike failed to locate a convoy so the 8 Hellcats from 804 squadron attacked oil tanks at Khjen and a Herring Oil factory at Fosnavaag. One merchant vessel was machine gunned off Aalesund and two BV138 Maritime patrol flying boats were shot down by the escorting 898 Squadron Wildcats. On recovering the second strike the force then withdrew to the westwards and returned to Scapa on May9th.

A Royal visit: His Majesty the King visited the Home Fleet from 10th to 13th May and he Visited SEARCHER on the 11th where he met with the ship’s officers, including representatives from other escort carriers and their squadrons present at Scapa. Her squadrons were put ashore to RNAS Hatston later that day once the Royal visit was completed. SEARCHER took passage on the 12th to Rosyth for routine maintenance and repair. The work was completed by the 31st and the ship sailed for the Clyde to re-join Western Approaches command for convoy protection duties; she detoured to the Orkneys on passage, re-embarking her squadrons from RNAS Hatston o June 7th.

Convoy protection duties: June 1944

SEARCHER began trade protection duties on June 12th when she sailed to cover the passage of Combined convoy OS 80 / KMS 54. This had assembled off Oversay and sailed with an escort comprising of SEARCHER, destroyer HIGHLANDER, frigates BAYNTUN, FOLEY, HELMSDALE and the corvettes KENILWORTH CASTLE and PORTCHESTER CASTLE. SEARCHER covered their passage until June 21st when cover switched to the in-bound convoy SL 161. Convoy SL 161 rendezvoused with Convoy MKS.52 on June 22nd and proceeded to Liverpool arriving there on July 2nd. SEARCHER detached form the combined convoy on July 1st and proceeded to the Clyde. There were three barrier crashes for 898 Sqn pilots during June; Sub Lt C. O. Cullen in JV510 had his arrester Hook pulled out, and went into the barrier on the 7th; Petty Officer Pilot I. H. H. Shell in JV487 missed all wires on the 17th he repeated this performance again on the 19th, again in JV487 but this time missed all wires, hit the foc'sle, and floated into 2 parked aircraft. Sadly, the was one fatality, Sub-Lt H. A. Francis RNVR (882 Sqn) was killed when returning after a 2-hour patrol in JV621, made a tight circuit, turned on approached and spun into the sea 100yds astern. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on July 2nd 1944 and SEARCHER returned to the Clyde to prepare for passage to the Mediterranean for her next operations.

Reorganisation of the 7th Naval Fighter Wing

A change of policy regarding the structure of the Naval Fighter Wings resulted in change to the number of squadrons embarked in the escort carriers; the two squadrons embarked in each carrier were to be combined to form a single 24 aircraft squadron, the other disbanded. On July 5th 1944 898 squadron was officially disbanded aboard SEARCHER, her aircraft and aircrew being absorbed into 882 Squadron.[4]

Reallocated for operations with the Mediterranean Fleet

After 10 days spent embarking stores and additional airframes SEARCHER sailed from the Clyde at 22:30 on July 15th 1944 in company with assault CVEs EMPEROR , KHEDIVE and PURSUER, Fighter Direction ship ULSTER QUEEN, Anti-Aircraft sloop STORK and frigate AWE, to rendezvous at 05:07 in the Irish Sea with Task Group 120.8, comprising the USS TEXAS and her screen consisting of USS JEFFERS, BUTLER, HERNDON, MURPHY, SHUBRICK, and GHERARDI for passage to the Mediterranean. The convoy passed Gibraltar in the early hour s of July 22nd, and at 09:39 the USS TEXAS, HM Ships EMPEROR, and KHEDIVE, escorted by USS JEFFERS, SHUBRICK, and HERNDON, detached and preceded for Oran at 15 knots. The remainder of the convoy consisting of HM Ships SEARCHER, PURSUER, ULSTER QUEEN, STORK and AWE escorted by the USS BUTLER, GHERARDI, and LARSH continued on for Malta. The destroyer USS MARSH joined at 21:45, and at 11:35 the following day ATTACKER joined the convoy. The convoy arrived at Grand Harbour, Malta 08:51 July 25th.

Later that morning 10 aircraft were flown off to RNAS Ta Kali for pilot training. The aircraft were to spend one-week ashore training 12 pilots as spotters and 12 as fighter bombers for the upcoming operation. A less than ideal amount of time to spend practicing a technique not previously trained for by the squadron which only received their tasking orders on arrival at Malta. The fact that all pilots could not gain experience in both roles severely handicapped their effectiveness in the coming operations. This shore-based training was also mirrored by 881 Sqn from PURSUER.

July 20th 1944 82Sqn Wildcat-pilots-aboard-HMS-Searcher. IWM A25038.

Task Force 88 and Operation DRAGOON, Allied landings in Southern France, August 1944

At Malta SEARCHER joined Carrier Force TF88 for Operation DRAGOON, the invasion of Southern France. The Carrier Force comprised of two Task Groups; TG 88.1 HM Cruisers  ROYALIST (Rear Admiral Troubridge, CTF 88 and CTG 88.1), and COLOMBO, CVEs ATTACKER (879 squadron with 28 Seafire), EMPEROR (800 squadron with 23 Hellcat), KHEDIVE (899 squadron with - 26 Seafire), PURSUER (881 squadron with 24 Wildcat), SEARCHER (882 squadron with 28 Wildcat), with 7 destroyers, TYRIAN, TEAZER, TROUBRIDGE (Screen Commander), and US Ships JEFFERS, H. P. JONES, MARSH, NIRLACK and MURPHY. TG 88.2 comprised of the CVEs USS TULAGI (Rear Admiral Durgin USN, CTG 88.2, VOF-1 with 24 Hellcat), USS KAZAN BAY (VF-74 with 24 Hellcat), HUNTER (807 squadron with 24 Seafire, plus 1 Swordfish) and STALKER (809 squadron with 23 Seafire),AA Cruisers CALEDON and COLOMBO 6 US destroyers.

SEARCHER sailed for tactical exercises off Malta with TG88.1 on August 1st, sailing at 07:30. At 19:40 Ships of the Task Group conducted a barrage fire exercise. The force continued to exercise off Malta between August 1st and 11th.

Task Force 88 departed Malta on August 6th for exercises in the Tyrrhenian Sea - Operation PREFACE a rehearsal for the upcoming landings in Southern France. Exercises commenced around 06:00 and were completed around 12:00 on the 7th. On returning to Malta SEARCHER re-embarked her detachment from RNAS Ta Kali.

Operation DRAGOON Task Force 88 sailed from Malta for Operation DRAGOON at 17:45 on Saturday August 12th and operations commenced i in the early hours of August 15t. TF88 flying operations commenced at 06:10, the last aircraft landed on at 20:35. Only daylight flying operations were carried out. The assault area, centred on St Tropez, extended some 30 miles along the Cote d'Azur. It was divided into four sectors, code named (from east to west) Camel, Delta, Alpha and Sitka. The assault troops were formed of three American divisions of the VI Corps, reinforced by the French 1st Armoured Division. The 3rd Infantry Division landed on the left at Alpha Beach (Cavalaire-sur-Mer), the 45th Infantry Division landed in the centre at Delta Beach (Saint-Tropez), and the 36th Infantry Division landed on the right at Camel Beach (Saint-Raphaël). A fourth Force, the First Special Service Force, a joint U.S.-Canadian special forces unit was landed on the offshore islands Operation Sitka to neutralise the Hyères Islands, (Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Bagaud, and Levant). By the end of the first day, 60,150 troops and 6,737 vehicles had been put ashore, including the first French armoured contingent.

PURSUER leads the CVEs of Task group 88.1 - EMPEROR, KHEDIVE and either ATTACKER or SEARCHER bringing up the rear - off the coast of Southern France during operation DRAGOON.

On ‘D’ Day SEARCHER r and TG 88.1 were at the flying off position at 05:30 and 882 squadron had 24 serviceable aircraft that could be tasked with any of five mission types: Fighter Bomber (F/B), Straffing, Tactical Reconnaissance (TacR), Force Cover,  and Bombardment Spotting. There were 22 pilots and 24 Wildcats on board with limited reserve aircraft held ashore at Casabianda airfield in Corsica.

A pre-planned flying programme had been promulgated covering the first 5 days of operations, ‘D’ to ‘D’ + 4. The prepared flying programme for D-Day called for 882 Sqn to launch for 34 sorties; 14 Bombardment Spotting with 4 on call, 4 F/B, 12 Low Force Cover. Low wind speeds across the deck meant that all sorties were launched by catapult.

The first two aircraft launched at 05:55, 10 minutes behind the plan. The two aircraft were to act as spotters for the British Cruiser DIDO off STIKA area; the pilots could not locate any worthwhile targets still standing after an early bombing run, and any others were obscured by cloud cover; DIDO did not fire on any targets.

The third launch was a second pair for bombardment spotting aircraft launched at 06:16, this time for ALPHA area for the British Cruiser BLACK PRINCE; low cloud again prevented any target identification. At 07:10 launch no. 4 was a spotting pair for STIKA area. however, they could not establish contact with DIDO but observed troops landing on STIKA Red & Yellow beaches. Launch No. 5 was a second spotting pair for BLACK PRINCE in Alpha area this launched at 08:10 but on arrival found the target to be inactive and the shoot was cancelled. The pilots were order to carry out TacR in the area but clous again made target identification difficult and none were engaged.

The sixth mission launched at 09:13, two aircraft for spotting duty in STIKA area but the mission was cancelled soon after launch and the aircraft recalled. On their return to the ship Sub-Lt P. J. M. Canter RNZNVR in JV555 bounced on landing and floated into the barrier and overturned; the pilot was Ok but the aircraft was a write-off. Between 10:21 and 10:36 three aircraft went unserviceable on deck but the seventh mission, another pair spotting for BLACK PRINCE in ALPHA area launched at 10:21; no targets were found and no shoot took place.

The same occurred for the 2 aircraft for mission 8 for spotting in ALPHA area which launched at 12:11, they were not assigned to a ship but remained aloft on call. The ninth mission of the day was the first tasking for force cover; 4 aircraft were ordered but only 2 aircraft launching at 12:12. ;

At 12:49 trouble occurred in the engine room with the Feed Pump and speed had. to be reduced to 12 knots. While repairs were made SEARCHER was screened by TUSCAN until it was possible to increase :o 17 knots and regain station at 13:08.

The next launch for force cover, mission 10, comprised of 3 aircraft launching at 14:23. Mission 11 had 2 spotters launch for ALPHA area at 15:51 but they failed to make contact on arrival and although contact with other bombardment units in the sector was made no shoot took place. At 14:40 Sub-Lt R. Brierley RNVR force landed in the sea due to engine failure. He successfully escaped and was rescued in his dinghy by AURORA. Two more aircraft launched in mission 12 for Force cover the first left the deck at 16:26; there were Catapult delays of some minutes but the second aircraft was launched at 16:33. With this launch the catapult shuttle return gear failed. The light winds persisted so flying was suspended and SEARCHER became a spree deck for the remainder of the day. The last of the squadron aircraft landed on at 18:58. There was one more landing that evening, a Wildcat VI form PURSUER’s 881 Sqn was accepted at 20:40. Shortly after TF88.1 withdrew to the southward during the night The Catapult was repaired and satisfactorily tested by 22:15.

During the day 882 flew 28 sorties; 18 Bombardment Spotting, 3 F/B, 7 Force Cover. Two Wildcats were written off.

Wind speeds improved slightly by noon to permit unassisted launches; bethinking at 12:15 two aircraft were launched o search for two missing pilots from KHEDIVE’s l 899 Sqn, and aa further two for a Bombardment Spotting mission to ALPHA area. During their time on station there were no targets identified for the bombardment Cruiser and no shoot took place.

SEARCHER was to act as a spare deck for the remainder of the day but was not required to land on any aircraft. Repairs to the firing valve of the Catapult were completed about 23:00 and it was prepared for a test firing when both H.P. Air Compressors required to charge the catapult mechanism broke down. These defects were made good during the night, but the: Catapult was not finally tented and recharged until 11:10 the next day

During the day 882 flew 4 sorties, 2 for a search & 2 for Bombardment Spotting.

On D+2 882 squadron had 22 aircraft and 22 pilots available. The prepared flying programme called for 32 sorties; 4 F/B on call, 6 Spotting (plus 6 on call) & 16 Force Cover. SEARCHER began flying operations at 06:00 but only Force Cover fights were launched throughout the day.

The first two aircraft took off at 06:01 with sufficient wind to be unassisted. The next launch at 11:10, of four aircraft, was made using the catapult and all subsequent launches were boosted in this way. The third launch was again four aircraft beginning at 13:28, there were three more Force Cover missions, each of two aircraft, launching at 15:08, 16:47 and 18:36. The last aircraft landed on at 20:44.

During the day 882 flew 16 sorties, all for Force Cover. On several occasions a section was vectored to intercept unidentified aircraft, all proved to be friendly.

On D+3 882 squadron had 22 aircraft and 22 pilots available. The prepared flying programme called for 32 sorties; 4 F/B on call, 6 Spotting (plus 6 on call) & 16 Force Cover. SEARCHER began flying operations at 06:00 with the launch of the first of three pairs for Force Cover, the other two launching at 08:0-2 and 10:14. The next take-off was a pair Scrambled at 12:12 for an urgent Bombardment Spotting mission in CAMMEL area. Two Gun emplacements were shelled of which the first with 1 gun, received one hit on the emplacement and one very near miss.

Another spotting pair launched at 14:51, for ALPHA area. During their shoot seven shells fell well within the target area with a possible direct hit but poor visibility made hits difficult to define. Scant but accurate flak was encountered. On completion of the shoot the section was instructed to search for & report any sighting of PT Boast to SITKA 2.

Four aircraft launched for an armed reconnaissance mission at 14:40 they were to join a flight of 4 Wildcats from PRUSER to cover the roads between Brignoles- Mirabeau - Cadenet - Aix- Cap Sicié. The eight aircraft were under the command of the 881 Sqn leader but 882 pilots report an unsatisfactory mission since it appeared that the two groups had received different briefings and the flight leader did not direct the bombing when targets, which were scarce, arose. 881 bombed rolling stock and sheds at the rail yard while 882 attacked a stretch of road with bombs, there was very little enemy ground activity, but medium and considerately accurate flak was encountered. Two bombs hit the road.

A final spotting pair launched at 16:26 for ALPAHA area, no targets were found. The final two missions of the day were two pairs for Force Cover, launching at 18:00 and 1945. The last aircraft landed on at 20:45 sand TF88.1 withdrew southwards for the night.

During the day 882 flew 20 sorties; 4 armed reconnaissance, 6 Spotting & 10 Force Cover.

On D+4 882 squadron had 22 aircraft and 22 pilots available. The prepared flying programme called for 32 sorties; 4 F/B on call, 6 Spotting (plus 6 on call) & 16 Force Cover.

On reaching the operational area SEARCHER ranged 2 aircraft at standby from 05:45 and two spotters on call from 06:00. From 09:20 SEARCHER was allocated as a spare deck and at 09:30 a Hellcat from EMPEROR’s 800 Sqn was landed on. This aircraft was found to have a faulty magneto which was rectified before it returned to EMPEROR at 14:45. A Seafire was landed on at 17:26 and returned to KHEDIVE at 18:07.

The first Wildcat launch of the day began at 10:01 when four were catapulted off the deck for a joint armed recon mission with four from PURSUER to cover the roads between Aries - Tarascon – Cavailion – Carpentras – Orange - Avignon, in the Rhone Valley, further west than their previous recon area. They reported sighting 6 merchant vessel at Port-de-Bouc before investigating the airfields at Plan de Dieu and Orange-Caritat. Targets were located at Orange-Caritat and 881 Sqn attacked first, they bombed and strafed hangars and dispersed aircraft, on completion of their own strike the pilots from 882 Sqn observed hits on D hangar and the runway. Strangely on exiting the area they did not form up after the attack and attempted to return to the ship singly. Two arriving back on board, the first, Lt R. Harrison at 11:40, the other, Sub-Lt N. J. Gardiner at 13:11 after over three hours in the air after losing his way on the return leg, he landed with an empty petrol tank; his engine cut while he was taxying up the flight deck and it is possible that had he not refrained from lowering his wheels until he was almost over the flight deck he would ditch. The two other pilots, Sub-Lts A. Share RNZNVR and F.T. Sherborne RANVR had not been seen after the strike. It was thought that their aircraft may have been hit by light flak, as one (later identified as Sub-Lt R. Banks of 881 sqn) called over the intercom that he was ditching in a river, but nothing further was heard. Sub-Lt Share had indeed been shot down in Wildcat JV384 ('6F') and was killed in the crash, Sub-Lt Sherborne was reported safe aboard ROYALIST and later re-joined the squadron (circumstances unknown).

Two sections were launched for Force Cover in the afternoon, the first at 12:19 and the second at 14:17. A second fighter bomber mission was flown off at 14:49 to attack railway infrastructure at Tarascon, securing six bomb hits on target. Starting at 16:25 three spotting aircraft were flown off, the third being as single aircraft at a16:28, and al¬though communication with their respective Cruisers were satisfactory no shoots took place and all the Aircraft returned to base. A section was launched at 18:04 for Force Cover; shortly after at 18:25 a plug blew out in the superheater of the ship’s port boiler and the ship was stopped for ten minutes while the Boiler was disconnected. Two sections were launched for Force Cover in the afternoon, the first at 12:19 and the second at 14:17. A second fighter bomber mission was flown off at 14:49 to attack railway infrastructure at Tarascon, securing six bomb hits on target. Starting at 16:25 three spotting aircraft were flown off, the third being as single aircraft at a16:28, and al¬though communication with their respective Cruisers were satisfactory no shoots took place and all the Aircraft returned to base. A section was launched at 18:04 for Force Cover; shortly after at 18:25 a plug blew out in the superheater of the ship’s port boiler and the ship was stopped for ten minutes while the Boiler was disconnected.

At 18:45 on instructions from Commander T.F.88 the ship proceeded independently at 11 knots for Maddelena, Sardinia escorted by the destroyer TEAZER. PURSUER had to accept the two Force Cover aircraft airborne at the time, as SEARCHER could not raise enough wind over the deck to safely land aircraft.

The two Task Groups of Force 88 had operated together for the first five days of the operation, but separated late on the 19th; ATTACKER , EMPEROR, and PURSUER, followed SEARCHER and withdrew to Maddalena, Sardinia for a 24 hours replenishment and rest period while KHEDIVE’ transferred to TG 88.2 to bolster that force which remained off the French coast providing air cover.

During the day 882 flew 19 sorties; 8 F/B, 5 Spotting & 6 Force Cover. 882 list 2 aircraft to enemy action and one pilot was killed in action.

D+5, rest dayTG88.1 arrived at Maddalena at 08:00 on August 20th and the carriers anchored in Arcachon Bay; SEARCHER dropped anchored at 11:00. The pilots had a day’s rest but most of the ship's company were busy on maintenance work, embarking bombs, ammunition, petrol, stores, etc. Her repairs completed SEARCHER sailed with TF88.1 at 18:00 to return to the operational area.

On D+6 TG88.1 carriers arrived t at the flying off point south of Marseilles at 06:00 on August 21st, 882 squadron had 20  aircraft and 20pilots available. The programmed flying schedule had ended on D+5 so the carriers were now supplying sorties on request from the Bombardment co-ordinators and Amy Co-operation teams. Cloud conditions were not so favorable for bombing or spotting as on previous days but SEARCHER began flying operations at 06:00 with the launch of the first of two sections for Force Cover at 06:28 and the second at 07:42. A fighter bomber mission of 4 aircraft led by Lt.Ccdr G. R. Hendrson launched at 08:05 to strikes at road and rail targets. They secured four hits and four near misses on a bridge and railroad at map reference N.8311 and reported a target of about forty M.T.at map reference S. 7S98. Sub-Lt N. WOOD RNVR in JV331 failed to return from this mission and was last sighted just before going in to the attack at which time his R/T was not working. He was not seen after the attack and he may either have been hit by flak or lost his way and force landed. He survived and re-joined the ship later.

Reports that considerable enemy road movement had been observed led to more fighter bombers being ordered off to deal with the increased enemy activity. Four more F/B aircraft led by Lt R. Harrison launched at 12:15 with the brief to bomb such targets as reported suitable by TacR aircraft from ATACKER, Communication between strike and TacR aircraft failed however due to considerable enemy transmissions on the same frequency. Four bombs were dropped either side of railroad approach to bridge at S.784839, Visibility was poor & no movement was seen on the roads, scant & inaccurate light A. A. fire encountered at Remoulin. A third F/B mission was ordered, led again by Lt.Cdr G. R. Hendrson, launching at 14:15 for strikes against M.T. on roads near Uzes. They scored 4 Bomb hits on separate Trucks, near misses on others at N.8102 in a column of 30 stationary trucks. They observed 45 other assorted vehicles on roads northeast out of Uzes.

A deterioration in conditions over the land during the morning led to fighter bomber activity being temporarily cancelled, and only force cover being maintained. There was a subsequent improvement and three fighter bomber missions were eventually undertaken. No sorties were made by spotters but force cover was carried out for fourteen hours from 06:48 to 20:40.

At 17:02 an accident occurred in the Hangar resulting in the firing of the guns of one of the Aircraft with wings folded. Two ratings were slightly wounded. The Refrigeration machinery was put out of action for twenty hours, and bullets penetrated three decks perforating the Diesel oil tank on the port side and fracturing a fire main on the starboard side. During the night the ship was stopped twice for short periods. The first was caused by loss of water level in the Boilers through inexperience of a new feed water tender relieving a man sick. The second time the power supply to the Steering motor failed through a diesel generator stopping. This was due to water in the diesel fuel.

During the day 882 flew 22 sorties; 12 F/B, & 10 Force Cover. 882 lost 1 aircraft to enemy action and one pilot was missing in action.

On completion of the day’s flying TG88.2 withdrew and proceeded overnight to Maddalena, Sardinia for their 24 hours replenishment and rest period.

On D+7 881 squadron had 19 aircraft and 19 pilots available. The flying off position was moved to the western side of the Gulf of Lyons in response to information that a German division was believed to be moving across from the Biscay coast. The division, however, moved north instead of east, and targets were hard to find in the new operational area in the area between Montpellier and the river Rhone.

At 07:35 SEARCHER, in company with TUSCAN and WHEATLAND detached to operate independently, the Controller and Operations Officer from 12th Tactical Air Force transferred to SEARCHER from ATTACKER, embarking from WHEATLAND. SEARCHER began flying operations at 08:10 with the launch of a pair of aircraft for spurring duty. Eleven spotting and one fighter bomber missions were flown during the day.

The fighter bombers attacked a railway bridge at S.4264 scoring several near misses on the approach to the bridge but no direct hits. Of the spotting missions, there were four instances when the bombarding ship did not answer the Aircraft although R/T communication with SEARCHER was good, but the remainder put in useful work. Coastal Defence Batteries and other tactically useful vantage) points in the Toulon area were bombarded by,' units of the Fire Support Group under the direction of our Spotting Aircraft.

The last aircraft was recovered at 19:31 and SEARCHER with TUSCAN and WHEATLAND proceeded to position 42° 48’ N, 94° 42’ E to rendezvous with Commander TF88 at 20:55. The Force then retired towards the Southeast for the night.

During the day 882 flew 24 sorties; 16 F/B, & 8 Spotter.
 

On D+8 881 squadron had 19 aircraft and 19 pilots available. Overnight TF88 had relocated east to their original operating area off Marseilles and focus returned to the Rhone valley. The carriers arrived t at the flying off point south of Marseilles at 06:00. SEARCHER launch her first aircraft at 09:44, when 8 fighter bombers took off to attack motorized transport on rods and bridges at map reference S.6586; bombs were dropped on 6 – 8 vehicles moving north at speed, one direct hit and 10 bombs hit the road, 4 near misses and 2 misses. Observed 6 barges on a canal at ref. S.8067 carrying white boxes, target info relayed to ship.

The first of 4 spotter missions launched at 11:20, this was a scramble to direct gunfire in DELTA area against target K.21, they observed 4 hits and 3 near misses. Also 2 hits and 1 near miss on target K.43. Observed 2 medium coastal defence guns firing and directed 2 salvos on target before being relieved and returned to base. The next a spotting pair launched at 15:54 for ALPHA area found targets Fort obscured by smoke from K.,49 only 6 shots fired before handing over to relief.

The second fighter bomber strike of the day launched at 13:5, they bombed a railway bridge at N.8102 but no hits observed. Continued with armed reconnaissance of roads and sighted 18 vehicles moving southwest into Bellegarde.

The third spotter pair launched at 16:20 and was directed to look for movement around Toulon. Directed shoot on a fort and observed 8 plus shells hit the target and 2 hit the east wall, however dust and smoke soon obscured the tart and damage could not be assessed. The fourth and final spotting mission was to STIKA area and launched at 16:22; given a Fort as the target but on arrival overhead discovered this was already engaged buy another ship. Returned to base after searching for targets of opportunity.

The final mission of the day was a fighter bomber sweep by 6 aircraft which began launching at 18:00. They dropped 2 bombes on a road and another 2 on a bridge and 6 on motor transport near Orange. The last aircraft landed on at 19:36. No force cover was flown but SEARCHERwas at stand by for Foree Cover from 20:00 to 20:30.

Flying operation for TG88.1 ended at 19:45 and the 12th Tactical Air Force Command Controller and Operations Officer were transferred to DELHI at 20:00. The Task Group left the operational area at 21:00 and set course for Magdalena. TG88.2 arrived back on station at 06:30 on August 24th D+9 to resume operations; they were to remain on station until D +12, August 27th.

During the day 882 flew 22 sorties; 16 armed reconnaissance & 18 Spotter.

On D+9 TG88.1 anchored in Arcachon Bay, Magdalena at 1:130 on the 24th. The ships of TG 88.1 did not return to relieve TG88.2, and they were released from Dragoon operations ended at dusk on Sunday August 27th. HUNTER and STALKER arrived at Maddalena at 10:45 on the 28th and anchored in Arsachona Bay at about 11:30. Elements of TG88.1 left Maddalena later that day to proceed to Alexandria.

Operations in the Aegean Sea: September 1944