813 Naval Air Squadron (813 NAS), also referred to as 813 Squadron, is an inactive Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy (RN) during World War II and again post-war. It most recently operated the Westland Wyvern S. 4 strike aircraft, between November 1956 and April 1958, with its last deployment on the , operating in both the Mediterranean and Atlantic.

It initially operated Fairey Swordfish from the aircraft carrier and took part in the Battle of Taranto in November 1940. In July 1943, the squadron was a component of RAF Gibraltar but a detachment of its Swordfish (torpedo–spotter–reconnaissance) was based at Tafaraoui, Algeria and assigned to the Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) for Operation Husky.Richards, D. and H. Saunders, The Royal Air Force 1939–1945 (Volume 2, HMSO, 1953).

From April 1944 the squadron, including a detachment of Grumman Wildcat and three Fairey Fulmar night fighters, were deployed on the escort carrier operating in the Arctic Ocean on convoy duty.Bussy, Geoffrey: Fairey Fulmar. Hall Park Books, Warpaint Series. No.41. pp. 37–40 On 13 December 1944 two 813 NAS Swordfish sank by depth charges.

After the war, the squadron was torpedo fighter unit, initially equipped with Blackburn Firebrand aircraft.Sturtivant, 1994, p.170

History

Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance squadron (1937–1943)

813 Naval Air Squadron was initially formed at RAF Gosport in Hampshire on 18 January 1937, as a Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance squadron, it was equipped with a fleet of nine Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bombers. The squadron was embarked in in Singapore, utilising RAF Seletar as a land-based support facility at the start of the Second World War. The aircraft carrier and its naval air squadrons conducted operations to locate enemy vessels in the Indian Ocean.

The Admiralty formally assumed control of the squadron on 24 May 1939 while it was embarked in HMS Eagle. Following a refit, HMS Eagle departed for the Mediterranean, where in June, four Gloster Sea Gladiators, a biplane fighter aircraft, were incorporated into the squadron's strength. These aircraft swiftly achieved success by shooting down two Regia Aeronautica bombers, more aircraft being shot down in subsequent months. In a raid on Tobruk, the Fairey Swordfish sank one destroyer, damaged another, and sank or put out of action three merchant ships. In a subsequent operation in Sicily, they sank another destroyer. Four of its aircraft participated alongside in the Battle of Taranto during the night of 11/12 November 1940.

In March 1941, the Sea Gladiators were withdrawn, with 813 Naval Air Squadron accompanying 824 Naval Air Squadron to Port Sudan to support local military operations. During this assignment, the squadron engaged five Regia Marina destroyers located north of Massawa, resulting in the sinking of two vessels, the beaching of two others and the subsequent scuttling of the remaining ship. After completing its mission, 813 Naval Air Squadron re-joined the carrier and proceeded to sail via Cape Town, spending some time in the Atlantic. On 6 June, it located and sank the U-boat supply ship Elbe, subsequently compelling the German tanker Lothringen to surrender.

Upon its return home in late October 1941, the squadron established a temporary base at RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail), Argyll and Bute, Scotland. After a brief period, the squadron moved to RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), on the south coast of England. Here the squadron was equipped with nine new Fairey Swordfish aircraft. Initially, the squadron was also provided with two Hawker Sea Hurricanes, a naval variant of the Hawker Hurricane fighter.

In January 1942, 813 Naval Air Squadron re-embarked in HMS Eagle and arrived in Gibraltar by late February, where it engaged in patrols and participated in various operations to transport aircraft to Malta alongside HMS Eagle and . The squadron was temporarily reduced to six aircraft and were fortuitously stationed on land in Gibraltar when HMS Eagle was sunk on 11 August, although four Hawker Sea Hurricanes that were on board were lost.

The squadron's capacity was increased twofold in a span of ten days, enabling it to provide assistance for the Operation Torch the landings in North Africa, including a flight assigned to Algeria. It maintained operations from both Gibraltar and Algeria until it was transported to Britain, where it was disbanded on 18 October 1943.

Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadron (1943–1945)

In November 1943, 813 Naval Air Squadron was reformed at RNAS Donibristle (HMS Merlin), Fife, Scotland, incorporating nine new Fairey Swordfish II aircraft. In March 1944, three Fairey Fulmar night fighters were assigned to the squadron from 784 Naval Air Squadron. These aircraft, along with the Fairey Swordfish, were deployed aboard the escort carrier in April to escort convoys in the Atlantic and North Russian regions.

The squadron also operated four Grumman Wildcat, an American carrier-borne fighter aircraft, from 1832 Naval Air Squadron off HMS Campania. Engaging in operations within the North Atlantic and supporting Arctic convoys, the Fairy Swordfish sank on 30 September and on 13 December while the Grumman Wildcat fighters were credited with the destruction of four Luftwaffe aircraft. In January 1945, a portion of the squadron returned to duty for anti-submarine missions along the Norwegian coast. By March 1945, the re-equipping with Fairey Swordfish Mk III was completed, coinciding with the withdrawal of the Fairey Fulmars and the introduction of eight new Grumman Wildcat Mk Vs into service. The squadron conducted its final Arctic convoy operation aboard another escort carrier in April 1945 and disbanded on 15 May 1945.

Firebrand (1945–1953)

813 Naval Air Squadron was re-established at RNAS Ford (HMS Peregrine) in Sussex on 1 September 1945, functioning as a Torpedo Strike Squadron with the Blackburn Firebrand T.F. IV strike fighter as its primary aircraft. This variant encountered significant problems; it was the inaugural model designed to serve as a fighter, dive-bomber and torpedo strike aircraft, however, it suffered from numerous complications, preventing the squadron from achieving operational status. the squadron was disbanded at RNAS Ford on 30 September 1946, just over a year after its formation.

The Blackburn Firebrand T.F. 5 strike fighter entered service with the Fleet Air Am in May 1947, when 813 Naval Air Squadron reformed at RNAS Ford and experienced greater success. It encountered several problems, limiting the squadron's ability to conduct extended operations aboard HMS Illustrious and over the next 18 months. Ultimately, the aircraft were integrated into HMS Implacable in January 1949 as part of the 1st Carrier Air Group, engaging in cruises and exercises before being reassigned to two years later. From December 1951, the squadron returned to shore-based operations, focusing on training and participating in exercises. However, because of a lack of spare parts, the operational capability of the aircraft diminished considerably, leading to very limited flight operations.

Wyvern (1953–1958)

In May 1953, the squadron at RNAS Ford began transitioning to the Westland Wyvern S. 4 strike aircraft, which were intended to replace the Blackburn Firebrand. However, initial operational challenges delayed the integration of the new aircraft, preventing their deployment aboard the light fleet carrier until 1954. The squadron returned home in March 1955 and subsequently joined the in June for missions in the Mediterranean and Norway. Ultimately, the squadron was disbanded upon its arrival at HMNB Devonport on 21 November.

The Westland Wyvern S. 4 were used when the squadron was reformed at RNAS Ford on 26 November 1956. In February 1957, an independent 'X' Flight was created, consisting of three aircraft, which subsequently transferred to 831 Naval Air Squadron in April. 813 Naval Air Squadron was deployed aboard HMS Eagle in August, participating in exercises in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean during early 1958, after which the squadron was disbanded at RNAS Ford in April.

Aircraft flown

Types of aircraft flown by 813 Naval Air Squadron include: Fairey Swordfish I torpedo bomber (January 1937 – March 1943) Gloster Sea Gladiator fighter aircraft (June 1940 – March 1941) Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk IB fighter aircraft (December 1941 – August 1942) Fairey Swordfish II torpedo bomber (November 1942 – September 1943, November 1943 – July 1944) Grumman Wildcat Mk V fighter aircraft (April 1944 – February 1945) Fairey Swordfish III torpedo bomber (June 1944 – May 1945) Grumman Wildcat Mk VI fighter aircraft (September 1944 – May 1945) Blackburn Firebrand T.F. IV strike fighter (September 1945 – September 1946) Blackburn Firebrand T.F. 5 strike fighter (May 1947 – August 1953) Fairey Firefly FR.I fighter and reconnaissance aircraft (May 1952 – August 1953) Gloster Meteor T.7 jet trainer aircraft (March–December 1953) Westland Wyvern S.4 strike aircraft (May 1953 – November 1955, November 1956 – April 1958)

Battle honours

The following Battle Honours have been awarded to 813 Naval Air Squadron. Calabria 1940 Mediterranean 1940-41 Libya 1940-41 Taranto 1940 East Indies 1941 Malta Convoys 1942 North Africa 1942-43 Atlantic 1944 Arctic 1944-45

Assignments

813 Naval Air Squadron was assigned as needed to form part of a number of larger units: 1st Carrier Air Group (October 1947 - May 1951)

Naval air stations and aircraft carriers

813 Naval Air Squadron was active at various naval air stations of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force (RAF) stations, both within the United Kingdom and internationally. Additionally, it operated from several Royal Navy fleet carriers, as well as other airbases located abroad.

RAF Stations

List of Royal Air Force stations and other airbases that 813 Naval Air Squadron used while administrative management of the Fleet Air Arm was with the RAF, from formation to 24 May 1939: Royal Air Force Gosport, Hampshire, (18 January – 23 February 1937) Royal Air Force Hal Far, Malta, (6–12 March 1937) Royal Air Force Seletar, Singapore, (9–30 April 1937) Royal Air Force Kai Tak, Hong Kong, (6–28 May 1937) Wei-Hai-Wei, China, (Detachment 3 June - 22 July 1937/6 September – 7 October 1937) Royal Air Force Kai Tak, Hong Kong, (19 October – 4 November 1937) Royal Air Force Kai Tak, Hong Kong, (5–30 November 1937) Royal Air Force Kai Tak, Hong Kong, (1 December 1937 – 8 January 1938) Royal Air Force Seletar, Singapore, (14–31 January 1938) Royal Air Force Seletar, Singapore, (5–26 February 1938) Bayan Lepas International Airport, Malaysia, (4–7 March 1938) Royal Air Force Seletar, Singapore, (9 - 16 March 1938) Royal Air Force Kai Tak, Hong Kong, (14 April 1938) Wei-Hai-Wei, China, (Detachment 12–19 July 1938/27 July – 3 August 1938) Royal Air Force Seletar, Singapore, (17–27 September 1938) Wei-Hai-Wei, China, (Detachment 8–10 October 1938) Royal Air Force Kai Tak, Hong Kong, (19 October – 1 November 1938) Royal Air Force Kai Tak, Hong Kong, (3–15 November 1938) Royal Air Force Kai Tak, Hong Kong, (17 November – 5 December 1938) Royal Air Force Kai Tak, Hong Kong, (7 December 1938 – 12 March 1939) Royal Air Force Seletar, Singapore, (17 March – 4 April 1939) Royal Air Force Seletar, Singapore, (24 April – 19 May 1939)

Aircraft carrier deployments

813 Naval Air Squadron was embarked in on numerous occasions while administrative management of the Fleet Air Arm was with the RAF. List of dates:

HMS Eagle (23 February – 6 March 1937) HMS Eagle (12 March – 9 April 1937) HMS Eagle (30 April – 6 May 1937) HMS Eagle (28 May – 19 October 1937) HMS Eagle (4–5 November 1937) HMS Eagle (30 November – 1 December 1937) HMS Eagle (8 - 14 January 1938) HMS Eagle (31 January – 5 February 1938) HMS Eagle (26 February – 4 March 1938) HMS Eagle (7–9 March 1938)