Hellcat Mk I - NICE ! ! !

Lynn in StLou wrote:
Enzo Matrix wrote:
Lynn in StLou wrote:
Steven P. McNicoll wrote:
"Enzo Matrix" wrote in message
...
Steven's link http://www.faqs.org/docs/air/avf6f.html#m4 states
"The Hellcat Is did not participate in the Normandy invasion in
June 1944". It seems most unlikely that a valuable resource such
as a squadron
of very potent fighters would have sat out the biggest operation
of the war. It may be splitting hairs, but there is a way that we
can *both* be right. It is possible that Emperor's Hellcats were
directly involved in fighter cover for the ASW screen, either in
the Western Approaches or in the English Channel itself, and so
did not actually make an appearance over the Normandy beach head.
Therefore, they didn't actually *participate* in the invasion, but
they did *support* it.
Then why isn't HMS Emperor listed among the participating ships of
Operation NEPTUNE, and why isn't the Normandy invasion mentioned in
the history of 800 Squadron?


The question might better be "What does the
official 800 Squadron history say it was doing
during the time of June 1 to June 10, 1944?
What does the official history of HMS Emperor say
it was doing in that same time period. Not the
web history, but the official history in the RN
archives.

If you go to
http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive....RT/EMPEROR.htm
, in the body it makes no mention of Emperor
supporting the Normandy landings. But if you
look at the sidebar, it lists Normandy 1944 among
its battle honors.

There seems to be similar holes in 800 squadron's
history as it appears on the web. One source
mentions their support of the Tirpitz raids, but
makes no mention of them in the invasion of
southern France in the body of the history. But
it lists Southern France 1944 as a battle honor.

This source,
http://www.answers.com/topic/no-800-naval-air-squadron
indicates 800 Squadron was in the process of
absorbing 804 Squadron in June, 1944 before
participating in the invasion of Southern France.

It is possible that 800 was busy absorbing 804 at
the time of the invasion and Emperor was present
in an ASW role sans 800 Squadron.

One needs to get to the original sources to truly
answer the question of Emperor being at or near
Normandy. As you can see, the web is not always
consistent.

That's *always* good advice.

However, it does seem a little strange to me that *two* whole
squadrons (800 and 804) were removed from the line of battle just at
the very moment that the Normandy landings were happening.

The squadrons may have been removed for refitting
as part of normal rotation. Most likely working
up for the invasion of Southern France. They are
not the only squadrons in the FAA. But remember
that only one source cites this and it could well
be wrong.

And if that *was* the case, was Emperor employed as an ASW ship
without any aircraft aboard? Sub hunting is a job for a destroyer
or corvette - not a carrier!

This thread has raised some very interesting questions.

The Hellcat was not an ASW aircraft, so its
presence is not relevant to ASW work. Emperor may
have sailed with only ASW aircraft. Not sure what
FAA was using for ASW at that time.

Tarpons (TBM Avengers) and Barracudas. However, earlier in the war Martlets
were often used as U-boat spotters. There is no reason why Hellcats couldn't
be used in a similar manner.


--
Enzo

I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.

"Enzo Matrix" wrote in message
...

However, earlier in the war Martlets were often used as U-boat spotters.


And later in the war as well.