Following a reorganisation in July 1944, the wing moved to RAF Ballyhalbert and was progressively re-equipped with Grumman Hellcat fighters. By late 1944 it comprised 800, 808, 885 and 1840 Naval Air Squadrons. The four squadrons subsequently deployed separately in escort carriers to the East Indies Fleet and British Pacific Fleet. The wing's recorded command chronology continued into 1945, although its constituent squadrons were subsequently disbanded or absorbed at different dates. The 3rd Naval Fighter Wing was disbanded on 9 October 1945.
886 Naval Air Squadron joined the wing at RNAS Burscough during October 1943 and subsequently undertook aerial reconnaissance and spotting training. 808 and 897 Squadrons also formed part of the wing's initial reconnaissance organisation.
The wing moved to RNAS Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, on 25 February 1944. 808 Naval Air Squadron had disembarked from HMS Hunter and moved to RNAS Lee-on-Solent, where it was joined by 885 Naval Air Squadron, which had been formed at the station in February. The wing's role subsequently changed from tactical reconnaissance to that of an air spotting pool attached to the Second Tactical Air Force, in preparation for the Allied invasion of Normandy.
During the Normandy landings in June 1944, the wing's Supermarine Seafires provided reconnaissance and artillery-spotting support for the Allied forces ashore. 886 and 897 Squadrons subsequently ceased to exist as independent components of the wing: 808 Squadron absorbed 886 Squadron, while 885 Squadron absorbed 897 Squadron during July 1944.
Reorganisation and Ballyhalbert
The wing was reconstituted during July 1944 and moved to RAF Ballyhalbert in County Down, Northern Ireland, on 4 August. Its role increasingly changed from the reconnaissance and spotting duties of its original Supermarine Seafire squadrons towards carrier fighter operations.
808 and 885 Naval Air Squadrons were re-equipped with Grumman Hellcatfighters. The wing was subsequently expanded with the addition of 800 and 1840 Naval Air Squadrons. 1840 Squadron had originally formed at RNAS Burscough in March 1944 as a Grumman Hellcat squadron and later joined the 3rd Naval Fighter Wing at RNAS Eglinton, County Londonderry, during September 1944.
In October 1944, 881 and 882 Naval Air Squadrons, equipped with Grumman Wildcat fighters, were attached to the wing for approximately three weeks. Their temporary association reflected the flexible organisation of wartime naval air wings, whose composition could change according to operational requirements.
By the end of 1944 the wing had become a Grumman Hellcat formation comprising 800, 808, 885 and 1840 Naval Air Squadrons. The four squadrons were allocated to different escort carriers for overseas service rather than deploying as a single embarked formation.
The four escort carriers subsequently operated within the naval forces supporting British operations in the Indian Ocean and Pacific theatres. The separation of the squadrons meant that the wing no longer operated as a single tactical group, although the 3rd Naval Fighter Wing remained an identifiable administrative formation in Fleet Air Arm records.
During April 1945 the squadron took part in Operation Sunfish, conducting sorties from HMS Khedive. It subsequently supported operations in the Andaman Sea and attacks against Japanese airfields in Sumatra, including operations associated with Operation Balsam. Following the Japanese surrender, its aircraft supported the Allied occupation of Malaya before the squadron returned to the United Kingdom aboard HMS Khedive. 808 Naval Air Squadron was disbanded on 5 December 1945.
During operations in the Pacific, 885 Squadron provided fighter and anti-submarine protection for ships of the British Pacific Fleet's Fleet Train. HMS Ruler and her aircraft also supported the fleet during the Okinawa campaign. The squadron subsequently operated from shore establishments and returned to HMS Ruler before being disbanded on 27 September 1945.
HMS Speaker operated as a combat air patrol carrier supporting the British Pacific Fleet's logistic support group. After reaching the Pacific, 1840 Squadron provided fighter cover for the fleet train during replenishment operations supporting Operation Iceberg, the Allied campaign against the Japanese-held Ryukyu Islands.
The squadron was disbanded aboard HMS Speaker on 27 April 1945. Its personnel and aircraft were redistributed among other Fleet Air Arm units, including 1839 Naval Air Squadron.
Disbandment
The operational histories of the wing's constituent squadrons diverged during 1945. 1840 Squadron was disbanded in April, while 885 Squadron was disbanded in September and 808 Squadron in December. The wing itself, however, remained in the Fleet Air Arm's organisational structure until its recorded disbandment on 9 October 1945.
Squadrons
3rd Naval Fighter Wing consisted of a number of Fleet Air Arm squadrons:
The 3rd Naval Fighter Wing operated from a number of Royal Naval Air Stations and other airfields during its formation, training and operational service. Its constituent squadrons were sometimes deployed independently, particularly during the wing's overseas deployment in 1945.
The wing was formed at RNAS Burscough on 25 October 1943 with 808, 886 and 897 Naval Air Squadrons, initially undertaking tactical reconnaissance duties.
The wing moved to Lee-on-Solent on 25 February 1944. 808 Squadron moved there from HMSHunter, while 885 Naval Air Squadron was formed at the station and joined the wing. 886 and 897 Squadrons operated from RNAS Lee-on-Solent as part of the Air Spotting Pool attached to the Second Tactical Air Force during preparations for and the Normandy landings.
808 and 885 Squadrons operated from RNAS Ayr during May 1944, while 1840 Squadron subsequently used the station for training and re-equipment with Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters.
The wing moved to RAF Ballyhalbert on 4 August 1944 following its reorganisation. 808 and 885 Squadrons were re-equipped with Grumman Hellcats, while 800 and 1840 Squadrons subsequently joined the wing. 881 and 882 Squadrons were temporarily attached to the wing for approximately three weeks in October 1944.
1840 Squadron joined the wing at RNAS Eglinton during September 1944 before subsequently moving south and preparing for its deployment aboard HMSSpeaker.
800 Naval Air Squadron joined the 3rd Naval Fighter Wing in October 1944 and subsequently embarked in HMS Emperor. By early 1945 it formed part of the wing's deployment of Grumman Hellcat squadrons to the East Indies Fleet.
808 Naval Air Squadron embarked in HMS Khedive for service with the East Indies Fleet. The squadron subsequently participated in Operation Sunfish, Operation Dracula and attacks against Japanese positions in Sumatra. HMS Khedive and 808 Squadron also supported subsequent occupation operations following the Japanese surrender.
885 Naval Air Squadron embarked in HMS Ruler in December 1944. The carrier subsequently joined the British Pacific Fleet in April 1945, with 885 Squadron providing fighter and anti-submarine protection for the British Pacific Fleet's Fleet Train and participating in operations supporting the Battle of Okinawa.
1840 Naval Air Squadron embarked in HMS Speaker in December 1944. The escort carrier sailed for the Far East in January 1945 and subsequently operated with the British Pacific Fleet, with 1840 Squadron providing fighter protection for the fleet's auxiliary and support ships. The squadron was disbanded into 1839 Naval Air Squadron on 27 April 1945.
By early 1945, the wing's four principal Grumman Hellcat squadrons had therefore been distributed among separate escort carriers: 800 Squadron in HMS Emperor, 808 Squadron in HMS Khedive, 885 Squadron in HMS Ruler and 1840 Squadron in HMS Speaker. The squadrons consequently operated within the wider carrier and fleet organisation rather than as a single embarked wing.
Aircraft
Naval Air Squadrons assigned to 3 Wing flew different variants of three aircraft types:
Commander(A) N.G. Hallett, DSC, RN, from 22 May 1944
Lieutenant Commander R.H.P. Carver, DSC, RN, from 30 September 1944
Lieutenant Commander B.H.C. Nation, RN, from 16 November 1944
Major P.P. Nelson-Gracie, RM, from 11 February 1945
Lieutenant Commander R.H.P. Carver, DSC, RN, from 8 April 1945
disbanded — 9 October 1945
The repeated appointment of Carver reflects the changing administrative circumstances of the wing during its overseas deployment. By 1945 the wing's squadrons were operating separately in escort carriers and other Fleet Air Arm formations.
Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.
United Kingdom
Royal Navy
