Convoy Escort Vessels (“Conbustible, Vulnerable and Expendables!”: Wool-worth carriers), first impressions of, 48–50; compared with British escort carriers, 70, 71; 113, 123
Corsairs, 33, 116, 188
Costello, S/Lt Tony, 50, 55; vanishes on patrol, 84, 93, 182
Courageous, HMS, 6
Cowsill, S/Lt S., 126, 133, 138, 150, 182
Cramp, S/Lt Jack, 41, 43, 46, 49, 182
Cridland, S/Lt, J.E. (“Johnny”), 50; describes first patrol, 54, 55; 91; describes hazardous take-off and landing, 126, 127; 138, 150, 159, 160, 180, 182
Crocodile patrols, 138
Cross, S/Lt C, 182
D
Dalrymple–Hamilton, Vice Admiral Sir F., 124, 130, 132, 135
Dalton, S/Lt Jack, 50, 82; vanishes on patrol, 84, 183
Dasher, HMS, 49, 71
Davenport, Lt/Cdr H, Commander Flying Nairana, 106, 107
Defrates, S/Lt John, 112; describes bullfight at Gibraltar, 116; 119, 125; attacks U-boat, 150, 151; 155; succinct appraisal of Surtees, 161; 182, 185
Diadem, UMS, 153
Dodds, Surgeon Commander, 93
Dominion Monarch, SS, 107
Donibristle, RNAS, 111
Donitz, German Grand Admiral, 57
Duggan, PO, 26, 31
E
Eagle, HMS, 11, 103, 109
Eames, S/Lt John, 112, 126, 128; ditches in Arctic, 142; describes rescue and subsequent torpedoing, 143, 144; 156, 164, 169, 184
Eastleigh, 2, 10, 11
Edward A. Savoy, SS, 130
Edwards, S/Lt DJ., 182
Edwardson, Cdr., chief engineer Nairana, 73, 134, 178
Eglinton, RNAS, 51, 57, 59, 64, 65, 68
Elliott, Lt W.E.F. (“Teddy”), 50, 59, 60, 83, 95, 182
Emperor, HMS, 105
Empire Howard, SS, 53
Escort Group 2nd, 81–86; Escort Group 4th, 113; Escort Group 15th, 97, 105, Escort Group 21st, 119
F
Faeroes, 175
Fearn, RNAS, 153
Ferguson, George, telegraphist air gunner, killed in air crash, 91 fighter direction officer (FDO) (See also Lt Kerry), 75; duties described, 75, 76; 103
Fleet Air Arm, 1–191 passim; early history of, 4–9; observers’ training and duties, 5, 9, 18–21; pilots’ training and duties, 5, 9, 18–21; telegraphist air gunners’ training and duties, 20, 22; role in convoy protection, 14–18
Fort Crèvecoeur, SS, 124, 144, 161
Fort Boise, SS, 136
Fulmars, Fairey, 6, 7; unsuccessful use from Nairana, 90; unsuccessful use from Campania, 163; compared with other carrier-borne fighters, 187, 188
Furious, HMS, 6, 13, 23, 24, 28–33, 35
G
Garstin, Capt R.H., 53
Gaza, mv., 114
George, PO Airman, R.E., 185
Gibbons, Leading Air Mechanic Alf, 79
Gibraltar, 51; description of in wartime, 55, 56; 89–93, 113–119
Glasgow, 12, 33, 59, 64, 71, 177
Glorious, HMS, 6
glowworm, 112, 118
Goddard, Lt/Cdr, 66, 67
Godden, Lt/Cdr Jasper, Senior Operations Officer Nairana, 118
Godley, Lt/Cdr John, joins squadron as CO, 157, 158; describes attack on shipping in Norwegian fjords, 158, 159; 160; establishes rapport with Surtees, 161; describes patrol north of Arctic Circle, 163; 164; his Valentine’s day card, 168; 170–173, 181, 182, 185
Gordon S/Lt George, 84, 94, 101, 102, 114, 129; shoots down Blohm and Voss on his 21st birthday, 146; 165, 173; shoots down Ju88 and lands-on in Arctic hurricane, 174, 175, 181, 182, 185
Gough, S/Lt Charles, 153, 159, 182
Gowan, Air Mech. O, J.G., 185
Grady, Lt. P., 184
Greenock, 48, 63, 89, 134, 177
H
Hall, S/Lt K. (“Paddy”), 59, 81, 92, 138, 150, 157, 184
Hankin, S/Lt R.F., 138, 184
Hatston, RNAS, 39, 41, 42, 67, 153, 161, 176, 177
Havana, 23, 26, 27
Hawkins, Capt., 23
Healey, Cdr (BBCs “Uncle Mac”), appointed to Nairana, 73, 93; and German prisoners of war, 94; 135
Hellcats, Grumman, 58, 188
Henry Bacon, SS, 175, 176
Henshelwood, S/Lt J., 182
Hepp, Kapitan, 86
Highlander, HMS, 104–105
Hjelke Fjord, 66
Holley, S/Lt L.M., 126, 138, 150, 184
Hollings, Lt S., gunnery officer Nairana, 71; and ship’s motto, 72, 107, 129
Housser, Lt H.C.K., (“Hank” or “Harry”), 36, 40, 46, 47, 53, 55, 59, 179, 182
Howe, Capt, RNAS Machrinhanish, 156
Hunt, Lt J, (“Johnny”), 11, 13, 22, 32, 45, 55, 81, 87, 101, 182
I
IFF (Identification friend or foe) 21, 83, 142, 145
Illustrious, HMS, 1, 6, 75
J
Jacksonville, 23–27
Jamaica, 13, 24, 33
Jeschke, Kapitan-leutnant, 82
Johnstone, Lt/Cdr Mervyn (“Johnnie”), joins squadron as CO, 11, 12, 14, 23, 26, 27, 29, 33, 181, 182
Jones, Lt/Cdr F.V. (“Val”), joins squadron as CO, 111; 112; his character compared with that of Surtees, 117; 118, 124, 126, 128, 132, 136, 138; at odds with Surtees, 139; 140 and 149; 150, 152, 153; requests Board of Enquiry, 157; popularity of and emotional farewell to, 157; 161, 179, 181, 182, 184
Jones, Lt H.G., (“Taffy”), 11, 13, 14, 22, 32, 40, 49
Junkers 88, 58, 136, 137, 147, 160, 162, 164–166, 171, 173–175, 190
Junkers 290, 102–104, 114
K
Kampfgeschwader, 26, 162
Karel Dorman (ex-Nairana), 178, 179
Kars Fjord, 65, 66
Kerry, Lt Alan (FDO Nairana), describes duties, 75, 76; 80, 83, 104, 133
King, AA4, R.G., 185
Kirkiston, RAF, 45, 46
Kite, HMS, 81–82, 86
Kola Bay/Inlet, 126, 127–130, 136, 141, 144, 151, 167
Kriegsmarine, 123
L
Lamlash, 61, 63
Lang, Lt/Cdr John, joins squadron as CO, 36; 39, 41, 44, 46, 51, 56, 62, 63, 181, 184
Lark, HMS, torpedoed, 167, 168
Lee-on-Solent, RNAS, 5, 9, 33, 38, 39, 156
Legood, Lt Charles, joins squadron as Senior Observer, 112; 126, 138, 157, 184
Leslie, Lt, 143
Liverpool, 3, 43, 53
Lloyd, S/Lt A.R.J. (“Johnny”), 12, 81; keeps watch over shot-down German airmen, 105; attacks U-boat, 145; 155, 169, 180, 184
Lobelle, Maurice, and design of Swordfish, 7
Luard (“Loopy”), Commander, RNAS Hatston, 39
Luftwaffe, 123, 162, 163, 166, 174
Lyster, Rear-Admiral Sir Lumley, 81, 135
M
MAC Ships (Merchant Aircraft Carriers), 158, 161, 188, 191
McClintock, Captain HMS Chaser, 63
McCormick, S/Lt J.M., 50, 184
McEwan, S/Lt Eric, 59; describes tragic accident, 61, 62; 81, 83, 92; sang-froid in Swordfish crash, 95, 96; 126, 128, 138, 150, 152, 157, 179, 183
McEwan, S/Lt John, 112, 127, 184
McGrigor, Admiral Sir Rhoderick, 135, 145; report on convoy RA62 and tribute to aircrew, 152; 162, 163, 171
McLaughlin, S/Lt R.G., 81, 82, 82–84, 183
Machrihanish, RNAS, 33, 43–48, 50, 135, 156, 158
Magpie, HMS, 81, 86
Mallett, Lt/Cdr Dick, Senior Operations Officer, Nairana, recalls wartime experiences, 77, 78; 142, 155, 158
Marylands (target-towing bombers), 66, 67
Mathé Lt R.C. (“Bob”), batsman aboard Nairana; debt owed to him by squadron aircrew, 75; 112, 143, 145, 156; successfully lands-on Wildcats in Arctic hurricane, 174, 175; 185
Maxefjelh SS, 53
Mayson, S/Lt W., 183
Mearns, Lt S.A., (“Sam”), 58, 59, 84, 101, 102, 104; describes trip to Casablanca, 115, 116; 147, 162; shoots down Ju88, 164, 165,
183, 185
Merryfield, PO Rad.Mch., W.D., 185
meterological Officer (see also Lt Arrowsmith), 73, 76, 77
metox (U-boat radar), 20, 97, 101
Miami, 26, 27
Millar, S/Lt D.B., 183
Miller, S/Lt I.L.T. (“Dusty”), 106, 112, 147; shot down, 148; 149, 161, 185
Miller, Lt/Cdr T.T., joins squadron as CO, 67, 81, 86; near fatal crah on landing; 87; 88, 89, 133, 181
Moss, S/Lt R., 161, 162; helps shoot down Ju88, 164, 183, 185
Mounsey, HMS, sunk by U-boat, 130
Mull of Kintyre, 43, 50, 119, 134
Murmansk, 71, 118, 119, 121, 122; description of, 128; subjected to the worst bombing in the war, 129; 140, 154, 161, 169
Murray, S/Lt E. McG. (“Mick”), 112; describes hazardous working up, 113; describes passage of convoy MKF34, 113–114; describes Aurora Borealis, 125; 127, 128, 157, 183
N
Nairana, HMS, 2, 9; 68–186 passim; general description of, 69–72; specification, 69; comparison with US escort carriers, 70, 71; duties of her air department, 73–79; official commisioning, 79, 80; sails on first operation, 81; with escort groups in mid-Atlantic, 82–89, 97–105; with Gibraltar convoys, 89–97, 105–107, 113–117; with Russian convoys, 123–154, 160–176; with shipping strikes in Norwegian fjords, 154–156, 158–160; postwar history, 178, 179
Nairana (Tasmanian eagle), and ship’s crest and motto, 71, 72
Naval Air Squadrons: 737 Observer training squadron, 157. 787 squadron, operates Fulmars from Nairana, 90. 804 squadron, fine record of, 58; 190. 808 squadron, 53, 55; shoot down Focke Wulf Condor, 56; 58. 811 squadron, 111; heavy loses on Russian convoy, 131, 132; 153. 813 squadron, sinks U-365, 149, 15.
Nelson, HMS, 60
Netheravon, 5, 9
Newberry, S/Lt David, 37, 84; and “kamikaze” night fighter patrol, 133, 134; 135, 184
Nigeria, HMS, 40
Norfolk, Virginia, 11, 13, 23, 26, 27; hospitality of, 28
North Cape, 142, 145
Norway and Norwegian fjords, 121, 137, 142, 154, 158–160, 166, 177
O
Onslaught, HMS, 170
Operation Deadlight, 178
Operation Sampler, 154–156
Orkneys, description of islands, 39, 40; 66, 67, 134, 153, 161
“Oscar” (Acoustic torpedo), 21, 101, 102, 106, 116, 117
P
Paine, S/Lt Leslie, 153, 159, 160, 169, 183
Palisadoes, RNAS, Jamaica, 11, 13, 22, 23
Parker, S/Lt J. (“Jackie”), 11, 22, 24, 26, 50, 184
Payne, S/Lt Donald, 153, 159, 183
Pearl Harbour, 23, 27
Penny, S/Lt, Seafire pilot, 56
Perrett, Sgt RAF, H.W., 185
Picot, S/Lt Peter, 58, 183
Pitts, S/Lt E. (“Ted”), 112, 130, 131, 157, 183
Pleydell-Bouverie, Capt, 170
Pope Field, 23, 26, 27
Port Victor, mv., 178, 179
Pound, Admiral Sir Dudley, 121
Prinz Eugen, 65, 67
Provis, S/Lt J. (“Johnny”), 112, 128, 138; scores direct hit on German merchantman, 159, 164, 183
Puerta Camaguey, 23, 26
R
Ramillies, HMS, 116
Rathlin Island, 53
RATOG (rocket assisted takeoff gear), 21, 108, 112, 117, 169, 189
Ravager, HMS, 62, 63, 106, 113
Raven, HMS, 2, 10, 11
Ravenhill, S/Lt Derek, 112, 159, 160, 184
Rawlings, Admiral, H.C., and conception of Swordfish – “a plane with a sting in its tale”, 7
Reaper, USS, 116
Red Fleet Choir, 129, 130
Rees, Capt, E., 53
Richardson, S/Lt Charles, 81, 86, 91, 95, 102; shot down while engaging Ju290, 103, 104; funeral at sea, 105; hospital bed funded in his memory, 105; 183, 185
Roberts, S/Lt John, 153, 169, 184
RP (Rocket Projectiles), 20, 101, 145, 148, 149, 159, 189
Roffy, S/Lt J.P., 159, 183
Rogers, S/Lt John, 153, 164, 169, 170, 183
Romsdals Fjord, 158
Rose, S/LtG., 112, 138, 164, 184
Roskill, Captain S.W., 15, 75
Rotherham, Cdr., 66, 67
Rovde Fjord, 158, 159
Royal Air Force, 4, 5, 8, 29, 42, 185
Rumbelow-Pearce, First Officer WRNS, 40, 41
S
Sadler, Lt George, 36, 83; describes hazardous patrol, 98–101; 102, 119, 125, 126, 132, 135, 179, 183
Samaritan, SS, 167
Sargent, S/Lt Norman, 81, 84, 94, 116, 137, 146, 162, 165, 173; shoots down Ju88, 174; describes landing-on in Arctic hurricane, 175; 176, 183, 185
Scapa Flow, 39, 40, 124, 134–137, 151, 152, 155, 156, 160, 161, 177, 190
Sea Gladiators, 188, 190
Sea Hurricane IIcs, added to aircraft equipment to form composite squadron, 57; 58, 59, 62, 64; difficulty of operating fixed-wing aircraft from carrier, 78, 79; camouflage of, 80; 81, 84, 87, 91, 101, 102; shoot down ju290, 103, 104, 109, 114; replaced by Wildcat VIs, 118, 133; technical data and evaluation, 187, 188, 191
Seafires, 8, 55, 56, 187, 188, 191
Selley, Lt R.P., (“Bob” or “Crumbie”), 2, 36; describes invasion exercise, 38, 39; 50; lands in “postage stamp” field, 51; 54, 58, 81, 84, 86, 88; makes squadron’s 1,000th landing on Nairana, 105; 106, 129, 133, 134, 138–140, 155, 157, 183
Shetland Islands, 134, 160, 161, 176
Shirley-Smith, Lt Robin, 11, 13, 32, 51, 183
Skuas, Blackburn, 6, 29, 46, 47, 188
Smith, S/Lt S., 50, 184
Snowdown, Wt. Off. T.W., 185
Specklington Manor, 75
Spitfires, 25–27, 45, 53, 55, 106, 160
Starling, HMS, 81, 85, 86
Stentor, SS, 53
Stephenson, Capt, HMS Battler, 48
Stiff, S/Lt R.A., 184
Stretton, RNAS, 42, 43
Strong, Lt George, 81, 126, 138, 148, 150, 155, 160, 164, 184, 185
Summers, Lt G.C., 159, 183
Supple, S/LtJ.S (“Joe”), 50, 105, 126; attacks U-boat, 145, 155, 159, 161, 169, 183
Surtees, Capt. Villiers Nicholas, 76; takes command of Nairana, 110; background and character, 110, 111; 117, 118, 136; at odds with Val Jones, 139, 140; 142–144, 148, 149; human side of, 151; 152; 153; goes dinghy sailing in Scapa Flow, 154; and Operation Sampler, 155, 156; final showdown with Val Jones, 156, 157; 158, 161, 171, 173, 177; last word on, 179; 180
Swordfish, Fairey, 7–190 passim; design of, handling characteristics and wartime achievements, 7, 8; our first 4 Swordfish Is, 13, 14; role of in convoy in, protection, 17; observer’s duties in, 18, 19; pilot’s duties in, 20, 21; telegraphist air gunner’s duties in, 20, 22; Swordfish Is replaced by Swordfish IIs with ASV, 35, 36; fitted with rocket projectiles, 50; salvaging spare parts for, 79; Swordfish IIs replaced by Swordfish IIIs with ASVX, 107, 108; The Pregnant Swordfish song, 108, 109; hazards of flying in Arctic conditions, 126, 132, 133, 155, 156, 163; technical data and evaluation of, 189, 190
T
T124X Officers and stewards, 93, 94
Tail O’the Bank, 12, 59, 80, 90, 92, 177
Taranto, 1, 7, 11, 27, 35, 81
Taylor, Capt R.M.T., Nairana, 80, 82, 86, 88, 94, 98, 101, 105
Teesdale, Lt J.G. (“Jack”), 11, 13, 22–26, 28, 38, 39, 54, 56, 59, 60; and salvaging spare parts, 78; first squadron officer aboard Nairana, 80; 81, 82, 89, 93, 109, 111, 184
The Times, report on Convoy RA64, 176
Thomas, S/Lt E.V., 184
Thomas, S/Lt S.H., (“Stan”), 12; in hazardous patrol, 98–101; 184
Thompson, Alec, telegraphist air gunner, 46
Timms, Leading Air Mechanic Bert, 79
Tirpitz, 29, 122, 123, 136
Todenhagen, Käpitan, 150
Tracker, HMS, Avengers on, 124–125, 127, 132, 136
Trenchard, Lord, 5
Trumpeter, HMS, 154, 155
U
U-boat
s, 7, 12, 13; our job to prevent their attacking merchantmen in convoy, 14; their strength in 1939, 15; their first “happy time”, 16; their second “happy time”, 17; development of “wolf packs”, 17; 22, 24, 25, 30, 32; our use of ASV against, 37, 38; 40; their success in the North Atlantic in 1942, 45; use of convoys against, 53, 54; use of fighter aircraft against, 57, 58; their success in the North Atlantic in 1943, 64; in running battle with Walker’s 2nd Escort Group, 81–88; 90; passage of U-boat prisoners to UK, 94, 95; terrible death for those lost in Battle of the Atlantic, 94, 95; 97; sighted and attacked by our Swordfish and Hurricanes, 101, 102; 106, 107; our use of ASVX against, 108; our use of Glow Worm against, 112, 114; their threat to Russian convoys, 121, 122; ineffectiveness of Asdic in Arctic conditions, 122, 123; 126–130, 136, 138, 141, 143–145; attacked by Supple and Lloyd, attacked by Wilson and Strong; sunk by Campania’s 813 Squadron, 149, 150; attacked by Defrates and Beal, 150, 151–154, 163; torpedo Lark, 167; torpedo Bluebell, 169; 170, 175, 176; captured U-boats sunk in Operation Deadlight, 178.
U-238, torpedoes Magpie, 86
U-295, torpedoes Mounsey, 130
U-365, torpedoes Cassandra, 144
U-387, sunk by Banborough Castle, 144
U-403, torpedoes Bonneville, 53
U-452, sunk off Kila Inlet, 167
U-502, sunk by Starling and Wild Goose, 82
U-509, torpedoes Stentor, 53
U-734, sunk by Woodpecker, 85
U-762, sunk by Wild Goose and Woodpecker, 85
Urquhart, Lt J.F., (“Jimmy”), 36, 50, 55, 81, 183
Urwin, Lt, P. (“Pat”), joins squadron as Senior pilot, 112, 126, 138, 157, 183
V
Vaenga, 140
Ville de Tamatave, SS, capsizes, 53
Vindex, HMS, 69, 111, 123, 124, 128, 130–134, 136, 153
W
Walker, Capt John, and Second Escort Group, 81, 82, 85, 86
Waller, Lt/Cdr Wilfred, joins
squadron as CO, 58, 59; 63, 64, 67, 181, 183
Wallis, S/Lt Frank, 104, 183, 185
Walrus, 58
Warspite, HMS, 92
Waterman, Lt/Cdr, Senior Medical Officer, Nairana, 138; discusses Surtees’ sanity, 140, 141
Westwater, Air Mech IE, F., 186
White, S/Lt D.W., 186
Whittick, S/Lt D., 126, 133, 138, 183
Wildcat VIs, Grumman Martlet, 33, 75; replace Hurricane IIcs, 118; 131, 132, 133, 135, 145–149, 153, 155, 160, 162, 163, 165; save convoy and land-on in Arctic hurricane, 173–175, 177; technical data and evaluation, 190, 191