831 Naval Air Squadron

World War II (1941–1944) 831 Naval Air Squadron was established as a Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance (TSR) squadron on 1 April 1941, at RNAS Crail (HMS Jackdaw), Fife, with twelve Fairey Albacore torpedo bombers. It relocated to RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail), Argyll and Bute, in August and subsequently boarded the in October for deployment to Jamaica. Following a period at the RN Air Section at US Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, the squadron re-boarded for the journey to Cape Town, reaching its destination by the end of December 1941. In January 1942, the journey continued to Port Sudan and subsequently across the Indian Ocean to Java to with the carrier tasked to transport 50 RAF Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft. Throughout this duration, as well as during the later trip to Aden via Colombo and Addu Atoll, 831 conducted anti-submarine patrols; however, no sightings were made. After spending three weeks on land conducting coastal patrols from late February to early March 1942 at Khormaksar, the RAF station located in Aden, the squadron re-embarked for the invasion of Madagascar in early June 1942. They participated in dive-bombing missions and anti-submarine patrols. HMS Indomitable then sailed to Gibraltar, passing by the Cape, and sustained significant damage from an aerial attack during Operation Pedestal, which was the Malta convoy in August 1942. However, it successfully returned its squadrons to the United Kingdom before proceeding to the United States for repairs. At this point, the squadron was diminished to nine aircraft, but its capabilities were enhanced by a limited number of Fairey Barracuda Mk Is, a British carrier-borne torpedo and dive bomber. Following a period stationed at RNAS Crail, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, (HMS Daedalus), Hampshire, RNAS Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk), Mainland, Orkney, and RNAS Machrihanish, 831 re-boarded HMS Indomitable in March 1943, but subsequently returned to RNAS Lee-on-Solent in May 1943 to upgrade to Fairey Barracuda Mk IIs, becoming part of the 52nd Naval TBR Wing in November 1943 and completed deck landing training on the Illustrious-class aircraft carrier in February 1944. of 831 Squadron about to land on The subsequent month, it embarked in to launch an assault on the German battleship Tirpitz on 3 April, during which the Wing achieved multiple hits inflicting severe damage. In May, it re-joined HMS Victorious for another offensive; however, adverse weather conditions disrupted the operation. Later that month, the Wing executed strikes against maritime targets off the coast of Norway. The squadron made its return to the Far East on the aircraft carrier and on 7 September, incorporated 829 Squadron, thereby augmenting its strength to twenty-one aircraft, which effectively led to the disbandment of the TBR Wing. The expanded squadron conducted attacks on coastal installations and oil storage facilities located in Sabang Harbour on Sumatra, as well as on adjacent airfields. A comparable raid was conducted in August at Emmahaven, located near Padang. Nonetheless, these operations, along with others, revealed the constraints of the Barracuda aircraft, leading to the decision to retire the aircraft and substitute it with Grumman Avengers, an American carrier-borne torpedo bomber. The squadron relinquished its aircraft and made its way back home on and , ultimately disbanding at RNAS Lee-on-Solent on 6 December 1944. Torpedo strike squadron (1955–1957) S.4; an example of the type used by 831 Squadron On 21 November 1955, 831 was reformed at RNAS Ford (HMS Peregrine) in West Sussex, designated as a torpedo strike squadron equipped with nine Wyvern S.4, a carrier-based multi-role strike aircraft. Seven years passed from the maiden flight of the Westland Wyvern to the establishment of the first operational squadron. Three consecutive power plants were entirely new and untested engines. The initial Wyvern to achieve operational status was the S.4, which made its first flight in May 1951 and included a cut-back engine cowling to facilitate cartridge starting, a reinforced cockpit canopy, altered aileron tabs, and auxiliary tail fins on a dihedral tailplane. It was not until January 1957 that these aircraft were embarked on the for a short visit to Gibraltar and Malta. In May, they re-embarked for a Royal Review in the Moray Firth, after which the ship set sail for America, where they engaged in cross-operations and exercises alongside , returning home in July. Following two additional periods of deployment in Home waters, the squadron was disbanded at RNAS Ford on 10 December. Electronic Warfare squadron (1958–1966) ECM.6, seen in 831 Squadron markings 831 Naval Air Squadron was re-established at RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk), located in Cornwall, on 1 May 1958, as an Electronic Warfare squadron, through the renumbering of 751 Naval Air Squadron. Initially, it operated with four Grumman Avenger ECM.6s and four de Havilland Sea Venom ECM.21s, assigned to 'A' and 'B' Flights, respectively. These aircraft took part in various exercises, occasionally embarking on Fleet carriers. In February 1959, 'A' Flight began the transition from Avengers to Fairey Gannet ECM.6s, while 'B' Flight started re-equipping with five Sea Venom ECM.22s from April 1960, although ECM.21s remained in service until 1964. In 1960, the squadron was honored with the Boyd Trophy award for its training efficiency with the Fleet. A Percival Sea Prince was incorporated into the squadron in 1962, and in July 1963, the squadron headquarters relocated to RAF Watton, Norfolk, to enhance collaboration with its RAF counterpart. On 16 May 1966, the remaining personnel were transferred to the joint RN/RAF 360 Squadron for trials and training in ECM operations, leading to the official disbandment of 831 on 26 August. ScanEagle (2014) 831 Flight was established at RNAS Culdrose, in January 2014 to address an urgent operational requirement, enhancing capabilities to support units involved in Operation Kipion in the Persian Gulf and Arabian regions. It was equipped with Boeing Insitu ScanEagle, a small, long-endurance, low-altitude unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicle, for deployments on Royal Navy warships and Royal Air Force units. In October, 831 Flight transitioned to become 700X Squadron. == Aircraft operated ==