Yet another FAA query - HMS Glorious 8/6/40

[Brian]

Hi guys

According to official reports and John Winton's excellent 'Carrier Glorious', when the carrier was sunk on 8 June 1940, no Swordfish were flying. Yet, it has since been implied that two were in the air at the time of the attack, one of which flew to Hatston and another that ditched en route.

Has anyone got additional information, please?

Cheers
Brian

[Ex Shack]

Hi Brian
I posted this on your thread on rafcommands.
"The only thing that I have on this is not conclusive . It comes from one a series of Naval Staff Histories that were produced post war , 2 of which were released for public use and published by Frank Cass. The one covering the Norwegian Campaign was published in 2000 and edited by David Brown of the Naval Historical Branch.It states that no Recconaissance a/c were airborne, and none had been since Glorious had separated from Ark Royal, because the whole of the previous day and night had been spent piloting the RAF Hurricanes on board. The Glorious had detached at 0300, (presumably on 8/6/40) and sighted the German ships at c1600, orders were given to range the Swordfish(which I believe means bring them into flying position) but it was too late and none of them got away. The Scharnhorst opened fire at 1645. The book is Naval Operations of the Campaign in Norway, ISBN 0 7146 5119 2"
Regards
Dick

[Brian]

Thanks Dick
Apologies for the late response. I think I now have the query solved. The two Swordfish were flying FROM Hatston on that date, not from 'Glorious'.

Thanks for the interest and comment.
Cheers
Brian