Lt 'Buster' Hallett/Lt Victor Smith, RAN

[BruceMk11]

This 807 Sqn crew (pilot and observer, respectively) are credited with at least one shared victory: 1/4 SM.79, 8th May 1941. They were brought down by return fire and ditched their Fulmar; later picked up by RN destroyer. More details can be found in 'MAW' Vol. 1.

Smith also flew with Lt-Cdr J. Sholto Douglas, CO 807 Sqn, and they were also shot down in June (or July?) whilst attacking e/a. Any further details of that incident would be welcome.

Hallett had several more claims with 807 Sqn (including a shared victory with Douglas on the 23rd July 1941); is it known if Smith was his observer on any of those occasions?

Full names: Nigel George Hallett; Victor Alfred Trumper Smith, later Admiral Sir Victor Smith; James Sholto Douglas.

[DuncanM]

Originally Posted by BruceMk11

This 807 Sqn crew (pilot and observer, respectively) are credited with at least one shared victory: 1/4 SM.79, 8th May 1941. They were brought down by return fire and ditched their Fulmar; later picked up by RN destroyer. More details can be found in 'MAW' Vol. 1.

Smith also flew with Lt-Cdr J. Sholto Douglas, CO 807 Sqn, and they were also shot down in June (or July?) whilst attacking e/a. Any further details of that incident would be welcome.

Hallett had several more claims with 807 Sqn (including a shared victory with Douglas on the 23rd July 1941); is it known if Smith was his observer on any of those occasions?

Full names: Nigel George Hallett; Victor Alfred Trumper Smith, later Admiral Sir Victor Smith; James Sholto Douglas.

I believe Hallett's Fulmar and two others were shot down on 23 and/or 25 July 1941 during Operation SUBSTANCE. See RN Aces of WW2, p.30-38.

Hallett became CO of 884 NAS (Fulmars) and achieved ace status during Operation PEDESTAL.

Hallet is mentioned in Sturtivant's Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939-1945.

[BruceMk11]

Thanks Duncan