7th Naval Fighter Wing

Formation and organisation

The 7th Naval Fighter Wing was formed at RNAS Eglinton, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on 30 October 1943. Its original organisation reflected the Fleet Air Arm's wartime system of grouping squadrons associated with individual carriers into numbered naval wings. The wing comprised two Grumman Hellcat squadrons and four Grumman Wildcat squadrons.

The two Hellcat squadrons, 800 and 804 Naval Air Squadrons, were allocated to the Ruler class assault carrier HMS Emperor. The four Wildcat squadrons were divided between two escort carriers: 881 and 896 Naval Air Squadrons were allocated to Attacker-class escort carrier HMS Pursuer, while 882 and 898 Naval Air Squadrons were allocated to the Ruler-class escort carrier HMS Searcher.

Having two fighter squadrons in each carrier proved unwieldy, and the wing's organisation was consequently reduced during 1944 as the additional squadrons were absorbed into their companions.

Home Fleet

During the winter of 1943–44 the wing undertook training and work-up activities in preparation for operational service. Its carriers subsequently operated with the Home Fleet in northern waters. In March 1944, HMS Emperor, HMS Pursuer and HMS Searcher joined the forces assembled for operations against German shipping and the German battleship Tirpitz in northern Norway.

The three carriers formed part of the escort-carrier force for Operation Tungsten, the major Fleet Air Arm attack on Tirpitz at Altafjord on 3 April 1944. The wing's squadrons continued to operate in northern waters during the spring of 1944, with the individual squadrons operating from their associated carriers.

Reorganisation

The two-squadron arrangement aboard each of the three carriers was progressively reduced during June and July 1944. On 12 June, 896 Naval Air Squadron was disbanded aboard HMS Pursuer and its aircraft and aircrew were absorbed into 881 Squadron. 804 Naval Air Squadron was disbanded aboard HMS Emperor on 18 June 1944 and its aircraft and aircrew were absorbed into 800 Squadron. 898 Naval Air Squadron was disbanded aboard HMS Searcher on 5 July 1944 and its aircraft and aircrew were absorbed into 882 Squadron.

The resulting wing consisted of three squadrons: 800 Naval Air Squadron operating Grumman Hellcats from HMS Emperor, 881 Naval Air Squadron operating Grumman Wildcats from HMS Pursuer, and 882 Naval Air Squadron operating Grumman Wildcats from HMS Searcher.

Mediterranean and Operation Dragoon

On 15 July 1944, the three carriers, HMS Emperor, HMS Pursuer and HMS Searcher, sailed from the Clyde for the Mediterranean as part of the forces being assembled for the invasion of southern France.

At Malta the carriers joined Task Force 88 for Operation Dragoon. The wing's three squadrons formed part of Task Group 88.1, with 800 Squadron aboard HMS Emperor, 881 Squadron aboard HMS Pursuer and 882 Squadron aboard HMS Searcher.

The Allied landings in southern France began on 15 August 1944. The wing's aircraft were employed in fighter cover, fighter-bomber attacks, tactical reconnaissance and bombardment spotting. On the first day of the operation, 800 Squadron flew its Grumman Hellcats for sorties from HMS Emperor, while 881 and 882 Squadrons operated their Grumman Wildcats from HMS Pursuer and HMS Searcher respectively.

Aegean operations

Following Operation Dragoon, the wing's escort carriers were employed in the Aegean Sea. A force including HMS Emperor, HMs Pursuer and HMS Searcher conducted operations against German positions, shipping and communications in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean during September and October 1944.

The first major Aegean operation, designated Operation Outing, began in September. 881 Squadron, operating from HMS Pursuer and 882 Squadron, operating from HMS Searcher, took part in attacks on German positions and shipping in the Aegean, including operations around Crete and Rhodes. The first phase of the operation ended on 20 September.

HMS Pursuer and HMS Searcher subsequently returned to Britain, taking 881 and 882 Squadrons out of the Aegean campaign. HMS Emperor, however, remained in the theatre with 800 Squadron, which continued to conduct operations during October and November.

During the later Aegean operations, 800 Squadron conducted fighter-bomber and reconnaissance missions against German positions and installations. Targets included German radar facilities, while the squadron also provided fighter cover and support for Allied operations associated with the liberation of Greece. In October, 800 Squadron supported Operation Manna, the Allied reoccupation of mainland Greece, and subsequently took part in Operation Contempt against German positions on the island of Milos. HMS Emperor remained in the Aegean into November, when 800 Squadron carried out further operations before the carrier left the area.

HMS Emperor sailed for Alexandria, Egypt, on 20 November. 800 Squadron subsequently disembarked at RAF Long Kesh, Lisburn, Northern Ireland, on 29 November, marking the end of the squadron's Aegean operations.

Disbandment

Following the conclusion of its Aegean operations, the wing returned to Northern Ireland towards the end of 1944. Its remaining squadrons were transferred to other wings, and the 7th Naval Fighter Wing was disbanded on 16 December 1944.