One for our Fulmar buffs

[BrianC]

Hi guys

Were any Fulmars lost aboard HMS Ark Royal when she sank on 14 November 1941? I've been checking my books and documents but can't find any information.

Cheers
Stay safe
Brian

[RSwank]

This shows two squadrons with Fulmars on the Ark Royal when it was sunk:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Ark_Royal_(91)


According to this, about 807 Squadron:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/807_Naval_Air_Squadron

"Re-equipped with Fulmar IIs in April 1941, 807 Squadron joined HMS Ark Royal and saw action defending the Malta convoys between July and September. Many of the squadron's aircraft were lost in the sinking of Ark Royal in November 1941"

Similar story with 808 Squadron:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/808_Naval_Air_Squadron

"808 Squadron was embarked when Ark Royal was torpedoed and sunk by the U-81 on 13 November 1941. Although all of the squadron personnel survived the sinking, many of the aircraft were lost in the attack: the surviving aircraft were flown from Ark Royal before the carrier sank and on arrival in Gibraltar were merged with the survivors of 807 Squadron, which had also been embarked."

[Alex Smart]

From what is suggested in the links given , it looks like they were all Fulmar II's.
FAA aircraft 1939-1945
N4085, 808 Sqn presumed lost 13.11.41.
N4132, 808 Sqn presumed lost 13.11.41.
X8557, 808 Sqn presumed lost 13.11.41.

While
N4140 808 Sqn piloted by S/Lt. A P Goodfellow reached Safety landing at North Front.

Two 808 Sqn aircraft ditched in October '41, one on the 2nd, the other on the 31st. Both crews were rescued. Were these a/c replaced before the 13.11.41 ?

[BrianC]

Many thanks Rolland & Alex

However, just three aircraft (as recorded) of 808 Squadron 'presumed lost' on 13 November does not seem like 'many' as implied. None lost from 807 Squadron?

Cheers
Stay safe
Brian

[Alex Smart]

From what I understand most if not all got ashore and became part of the shore based unit.

From " The Squadrons and Units of the Fleet Air Arm" by Howard & Sturtivant
807 Sqn.
" When the ship was torpedoed on 13 November four aircraft airborne at the time landed at North Front, Gibraltar".
Originally 12 a/c but there were losses prior to the 13th and they may not have been replaced ?

808 Sqn, also began with 12 a/c but again there were losses before the 13th, replacements (?).
" When HMS Ark Royal was torpedoed on the 13th November, Squadron personnel were put ashore to Gibraltar, where they were absorbed into 807 Sqn".

From " The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm" by Sturtivant and Balance
807 Sqn
" When the ship was torpedoed on the 13th November the four surviving aircraft flew to North Front, Gibraltar ".
808 Sqn
" remnants of the Squadron were put ashore to Gibraltar, where they were absorbed into 807 Squadron".

[Alex Smart]

808 Sqn.
N4088 Shot down in error by HMS Prince of Wales, September 41.
N4144 Shot down Sardinia July 41.
Also the two unknown that ditched in October .
An unknown s/d by HMS Rodney on 27.9.41 in error, crew picked up by HMS Duncan.

And September, N4117,