828 Sqn FAA in Malta 1943

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

I would like to identify the "Swordish" claimed by Ofw Detering of NJG 2 during the night of 3-4/6/1943.

On the Royal Navy casualty page I found the name of a casualty of 828 Sqn killed on 4 June.

I then found that this unit was then based in Malta and flew Albacore.

And I found on the BBC website a story of a 828 Sqn mission being intercepted by nightfighters and losing two AC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/s...a2104363.shtml) but with no date, and this source is not especially reliable.

Anyway if someone can confirm that 828 Sqn was intercepted this night by night-fighters over/close to Sicily and suffered losses, I will be interested.

Thanks in advance

Laurent

[Larry]

Laurent,

In 1942 828 Sqn FAA became part of Naval Air Squadron Malta, and for operational reasons combined with 830 Sqn FAA that was equipped with Swordfish. Although the Sqns kept their identity it is likely that aircraft were operated as a pool at this time due to losses and servicability problems and when 830 Sqn FAA disbanded in March 1943 it passed its remaining aircraft to 828 Sqn FAA. So it is possible 828 had a Swordfish in June 1943.

I hope this helps