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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 0384.PDF
FLIGHT Channel Exercises /• V^T^—JIARCH 25TH, 10,48 R.N., and had been detailed 10 escoit the str'ce and stralethe destroyers. Following closely came Firefly IVs, which impressed by the discipline of their pilots, and by their shorttake-off runs. They were drawn from Nos. 812 and 810 Squadrons, respectively based at Ford and Eglinton, and com-manded by Lt. Cdr. (A) Earl, R.N., and Lt. Cdr. (A) T. Tivy, R.N. No. 812 Squadron was to undertake strike-escort dutiesand No. 8io would simulate an anti-flak R.P. attack. Finally, there were the Firebrand Vs of No. 813 Squadron(home base Culdrose, commander Lt. Cdr. (A) C. Coxon, R.N.) noticeably lacking their "tin fish" but carrying smokebombs. These single-seaters represented the main striking force. With flaps out, they departed for the battle in steep,climbing turns. Numerical Weakness The smartness and efficiency of the aircraft and pilots allayedsome of the disappointment occasioned by the small numbers taking part. An Admiralty announcement that more thaneighty Naval machines would be engaged had been widely publicized, but, even including the non-starters at St. Merryn,the actual number was less than half this figure. Back in the Operations Room, one was able to watch theuncanny ease with which the lieutenant at the plotting board formed his chinagraph figures upside down (the figures, ofcourse). All aspects of the proceedings were studied by Cap- tain G. C. Dickens, R.N., Captain of Royal Naval Air Station,Culdrose, who was controlling the operation, and by two distinguished visitors, in the persons of Rear-Admiral C. ELambe, C.B., C.V.O. (Flag Officer Flying Training) and the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, Vice-Admiral Sir RhoderickMcGrigor, K.C.B., D.S.O. On learning that the attack had been completed, we wen- The Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, Vice-Admiral Sir Rhoderick McGrigor, K..CB-, D.S.O. (fourth from left) follows the progress of the strike in the Culdrose Operations Room. Firefly IVs (top) undertook strike-escort and R P duties and Firebrands (top right)) simulated a torpedo attack. The Seafire 47 is one of four from No. £04 Squad- ron, based at Ford- Bslow are (left to right) Lt. Cdr. (A) F. Shotton, R.N.. Lt. Cdr. (A) T. Tivy, R.N., and Lt. Cdr. (A) C. Coxon, R.N., leaders of forma- tions, who had good reason to be pleased with the results of the strike, described by Rear-Admiral Russell as " very successful " and "brilliantly timed." quick to take advantage of a seat offered by Lt. Cdr.- (A|D. W. H. Gardener in an aircraft of his squadron—No. 790— which, though not taking part in the strike, is based atCuldrose for co-operation with the Royal Naval Direction Centre at Kete. Festooned with aero-naval gear, we clearedCuldrose before the Firebrands had landed back, and set course above cloud, sighting the ships about eighty milessouth-east of Start Point. Lt. (A) Robson, our pilot, obliged us by carrying out a series of private strikesagainst each ship in turn. From a few feet we looked down the muzzles of Superb's high-angle guns. Ratings,doubtless preparing the ship for her arrival at Portland, paused to watch the wing-tip vapour trails formed in ourclimbing turns. One point was strongly brought home to us: though from3,000ft a cruiser steaming at 14 knots might appearto be making little head- way, her progress be-comes distinctly percep- tible when crossing herbows at 250 knots below mast height. A Sunderland bearinganother member of Fligh t's staff circledmajestically. The full narrative ofthe strike was not avail- able while we jrjp-, mained at Culdrose, but it appears that thestrike force headed off the Fleet when it wassteaming eastwards about twenty - fivemiles south of Start Point. Lt. Cdr. Tivy'sR.P. Fireflies attacked from 8,000ft and theFirebrands came in low from dead ahead.Superb turned to star- board, and it is hopedthat her beam will be prominently repre-sented on the films from the Firebrands' torpedo cameras; The Sea Furies had a tussle with the escorting fighters but failed topenetrate to the core of the strike force. Naval Aviation had done well. A signal from Rear-Admiral Russell described the attack as" very successful" and " brilliantly timed." H. F. K. Our observer with the R.A.F. writes : — For Calshot flying-boat base (commanded by G/C. D. McG.Gordon, C.B., AFC.) the exercise had a distinctly schizophrenic element. In the earlier stages of the operation the Sunderlands oiNos. 201 and 230 Flying-boat Squadrons were searching for and
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