Hello,
Truk strikes, 14 & 15 June 1945 - Operation "Inmate".
HMS "Implacable" - Rear Admiral E. J. P. Briand RN.
801 Squadron ---- 24 Seafire L.III
880 Squadron ---- 24 Seafire L.III & FR.III
1771 Squadron --- 11 Firefly I
828 Squadron ---- 21 Avenger II
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HMS "Ruler" (spare deck)
1701 Squadron ----1 Walrus (Air-Sea-Rescue Detachment)
See:
Carrier Operations in World War II.
Brown,J. D. (David Hobbs ed.).
Barnsley:Seaforth Publishing,2009.(2nd.rev.ed.)
p.100.
"INMATE" -TRUK: 14 and 15 June, 1945.
After flying exercises off Manus on June 11 and 12, 1945, "Implacable" joined Task Group III.2 - the assault carrier "Ruler", four cruisers and five destroyers as well as herself - for "Operation Inmate".
At first light on June 14, "Implacable' launched a "Ramrod" - an offensive fighter sweep against ground targets - of four Fireflies and 12 Seafires, following this with the first of many division-strength CAPs. The sweep attacked a radar station and the largest airfield, Moen, and it was over the latter that the only Seafire combat casualty of the operation occurred, an 801 Squadron pilot being lost when his aircraft was shot down by flak. 880 Squadron had a number of FRIIIs on strength, and one of these, flown by Lieutenant-Commander Crosley, brought back photographs of the airfields, coastal defences, and military installations, these being used for targeting further strikes.
Seafire L.III and FRIII.
Serial - PP975
Unit - 801 (Squadron).
Period - June 45.
Base - "Implacable"
Remarks - Lost over Truk, June 14, 1945.
See:
The Seafire.
Brown,David. (aka: J.D.Brown)
London:Ian Allan,1973.
pp.120 & 199.
+ 14-6-1945
Ty/Sub-Lt (A) Richard Samuel SCHOLEFIELD RNVR
HMS "Implacable" (No.801 Sqn.FAA.)
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/ca...CHARD%20SAMUEL
Col.