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Aviation History
1950
1950 - 0654.PDF
422 FLIGHT, 6 April 1950 During tha combined Home and Mediterranean Fleet Exercises, held recently, Coistal Command Sunderlands—one of which is seen on patrol above—were temporarily based on Gibraltar. On return to Pembroke Dock, they continued to operate with the Home Fleet. A first-hand account of one of the Sunderland sorties appears on tha following page. NAVAL EXERCISES K R.A.F. Takes Both Sides in Latest Home Fleet Mancsuvres UNDER the command of Admiral Sir Philip L. Vian,K.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., the Home Fleet last weekconcluded one of the most intensive series of air- sea exercises held since the war. Late in January, the Fleet set out for the Western Mediterranean, where it operated in conjunction with units of the Mediterranean Fleet and the French Navy. By the beginning of last week, the Home Fleet was approaching the Bay of Biscay on its return voyage, and the Commander-in-Chief, Ports mouth. Admiral Sir Rhoderick McGrigor, K.C.B., K.B.E. D.S.O., assumed supreme command of "Redland" the exercise title applied to South-Western England. The main opposing force of " Blueland "—a nation pre- sumed to exist in place of Spain and Portugal was, of course, the Home Fleet, temporarily named "Task Force 51." and composed of the battleship Vanguard and an unspecified number of carriers and escort vessels. As the first phase of the week's warfare resolved itself,- the main conflict was seen to be between Task Force 51 and the Schnorkel-equipped Redland submarines sub- merged ahead of it. Blueland therefore provided witfc the somewhat unrealistic •issistaoce of Redland-based i uti-submarine aircraft, namely, Coastal Command Sunderlands and Lancasters, from Pembroke Dock and St. lival. During the exercise's '-ecohd phase, the Lancasters i hanged sides, taking over re- sponsibility for shadowing thi Task Force on behalf oi mrther Redland forces. Led :>v the carrier Illustrious, the The cruiser Cleopatra puts up a lethal-looking defence—skil- fully "aimed short"—against a Sea Fury's diving attacks.
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