827 Naval Air Squadron

827 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). 827 Naval Air Squadron was established in September 1940, as a Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance (TSR) unit at HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton. It trained at HMS Jackdaw, RNAS Crail, before joining RAF Coastal Command for convoy protection and minelaying from RAF Thorney Island and RAF St Eval. In June 1941, it moved north to HMS Landrail, RNAS Machrihanish and HMS Merlin, RNAS Donibristle, to attack the battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. In July, the squadron embarked HMS Victorious for a raid on Kirkenes, during which it lost half of its aircraft, but managed to shoot down a Ju87.

In October 1941, the squadron re-assembled and embarked in HMS Indomitable for a journey that took them to the United States and Jamaica before proceeding around the Cape of Good Hope to Aden Colony. Utilising both the carrier and various airbases, the squadron conducted anti-submarine patrols in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. In May 1942, it participated in the invasion of Madagascar. Subsequently, the ship sailed to Gibraltar in preparation for Operation Pedestal, the Malta convoy in August, during which the squadron suffered the loss of five officers due to attacks on the carrier.

In May 1943, it became the first FAA squadron to receive Fairey Barracuda in any substantial number. It later became part of the 8th Naval TBR Wing, aboard HMS Furious with HMS Sparrowhawk, RNAS Hatston, as an airbase. The squadron transferred for one of two spells aboard HMS Victorious and was led by Strike leader Roy Sydney Baker-Falkner in the attack on the German battleship Tirpitz in Operation Tungsten on 3 April 1944. During the dive bombing attack, ten hits were recorded in conjunction with the 830 Naval Air Squadron. A subsequent assault on the battleship Tirpitz occurred in July from HMS Formidable, where a smokescreen provided effective cover for the battleship. However, in August, two successful hits were achieved while operating from HMS Furious.

The squadron relocated to RAF Beccles and RAF Langham to collaborate with No. 16 Group, RAF Coastal Command, along the Dutch coastline. In January 1945, it boarded HMS Colossus with plans to join the British Pacific Fleet. Upon reaching Ceylon, the squadron disembarked and became part of the 14th Carrier Air Group, but remaining on land until the conclusion of the war.

Post-war it initially operated the Blackburn Firebrand strike fighter, until 1954 when the squadron began operating Westland Wyverns.