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Fairey
Swordfish. Torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm in aviation art
prints by aviation artists, Ivan Berryman, David Pentland, Geoff Lea and Robert
Taylor. The Fairey Swordfish Torpedo Bomber of the Royal Navy, art prints
available from the aviation prints.co.uk.
FAIREY SWORDFISH, Torpedo Bomber and reconnaissance Biplane, crewed by Three,
with a top speed of 154mph, reduced to 136mph as a float plane. maximum ceiling
19,000 feet. reduced as a float plane. armed with a .303 Vickers machine gun
fixed forward and one in the rear cockpit.. One 1610lb Torpedo or up to
1500lb bomb load
At the outbreak of world war two the Fleet Air
Arm had 13 operational
squadrons .The Fairey Swordfish has earned its place in history for major
contributions to naval warfare, during the Norwegian campaign, and
especially during the raid on Taranto. During November 1940, Twenty
Swordfish took off from HMS Illustrious (operation Judgement ) to attack the
Italian Fleet in their Harbour of Taranto. At Least nine torpedoes hit their
targets. Seven Italian ships were badly damaged including the Italian
battleships, Caio Duillio, Littorio and Conte De Cavour. This was followed
in February 1942, by an heroic but suicidal attack on German Battle Cruisers in
the English Channel by six swordfish of 825 squadron of RAF Manston, all
aircraft and crews were lost. This resulted in a Victoria Cross for the leader
Lieutenant Commander E Esmonde. The next major event was the Torpedo
Attack on the Bismarck by Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal, which badly damaged
the steering gear of the Bismarck which helped in the final destruction of
the German battleship by Royal Navy Battleships. The Fairey
Swordfish was also used in anti-submarine and anti-shipping roles. The
Swordfish sunk more enemy ships (by Tonnage) than any other aircraft acting in
the same roles. By the end of the War the Fleet Air Arm still had nine
active squadrons, which were finally disbanded in May 1945. A total of 2399
Swordfish were built. |
| Operation Cerberus - The Channel Dash by Philip West. The Channel Dash (officially known as Operation Cerberus) was one of three operations during the Second World War for which the Swordfish was to become the most famous. Heavily outgunned in the Straits of Dover on this day in February 1942 by the German warships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, with their accompanying flotilla of destroyers and motor torpedo boats, and with top cover provided by deadly fighter aircraft of the Luftwaffe, all six Fleet Air Arm Swordfish were shot down. Only five of the eighteen aircrew survived. Here we see the Swordfish flown by Sub. Lt. Kingsmill and Sub. Lt. Samples with PO Bunce in the rear, fighting for their lives with his machine gun. Signed limited edition of 100 prints. Paper size 26.5 inches x 16.5 inches (67cm x 42cm). Price £95.00 Signed by CPO Donald Bunce CFG.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs Paper size 26.5 inches x 16.5 inches (67cm x 42cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Signed by Capt AWF Sutton DFC (deceased), Lt. Cdr. Edgar Lee; Lieut. NC Gillis; Sub. Lt. Stanley Brand.
ITEM CODE DHM2329 |
| Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman. Swordfish of 825 Sqn led by Lt-Cdr Esmonde begin their heroic attack on the battlescruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen as they make their way up the English Channel from Brest during Operation Cerberus on 12th February 1942. Although all the aircraft were lost and no significant damage was done to the German fleet, all the pilots were decorated for their bravery and Lt-Cdr Esmonde received the first Fleet Air Arm VC to be awarded, albeit posthumously. Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £95.00  Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £130.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Save £5 on selected prints - Was £135
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 40 inches x 30 inches (102cm x 76cm). Price £555.00 £135 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £690
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £480.00 £110 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £590
Original painting by Ivan Berryman. Image size 40 inches x 30 inches (102cm x 76cm). Price £
Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm). Price £2.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE DHM1349 |
| Fairey Swordfish Mk I W5984 H. by M A Kinnear. Aircraft History: W5984 was built by Blackburn Aircraft Ltd at Sherburn-in-Elmet near Leeds and was delivered to 825 Squadron 1st January 1942. The aircraft was crewed by Lieutenant Commander E Esmonde DSO (Pilot) Lieutenant W H Williams (Observer) and Leading Airman W J Clinton (Telegraphist/ Air Gunner) Sadly on 12th February 1942, W5984 was shot down over the English Channel whilst leading Operation Fuller, the attack against the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen. All three crew were killed.
Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde VC DSO: Born 1st March 1909 in Ireland, Esmonde joined the Royal Air Force in 1928 as a fighter pilot. He left the RAF in 1933 and joined Imperial Airways, flying passengers, mail and freight to Australia and the Far East. In January 1939 he was offered a commission in the Fleet Air Arm as a Lieutenant Commander of 825 squadron. On 23rd May 1941, Esmonde led his squadron on a search for the Bismarck. After locating the target, he led 825 into the attack. Flying through heavy anti-aircraft fire, one of 825s torpedoes hit the Bismarck amidships. For his courage and skill Esmonde was awarded the DSO. On 12th February 1942, 825 took off from RAF Manston to attack the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, in the English Channel. Despite heavy anti aircraft fire, and ferocious attacks by enemy fighters, the six Swordfish bravely pressed home their attack, but all 6 were shot down. Out of a total of 18 aircrew only five survived, four of whom were wounded. Esmondes aircraft was seen crashing in flames into the sea. His body was later found washed ashore at the mouth of the River Medway, April 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Open edition print. Image size 16.5 inches x 11.5 inches (42cm x 30cm). Price £14.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE AP0008 |
| Sink the Bismarck by Stan Stokes. Commissioned on August 24, 1940, the German battleship Bismarck was the epitome of naval power. The great ship was 823 feet in length, had a beam of 118 feet, and a displacement of 50,000 tons. After nine months of sea trials the Bismarck embarked on its first mission accompanied by the cruiser Prinz Eugen on May 19, 1941. The Bismarcks mission was to destroy and disrupt convoys carrying war relief supplies to Britain from North America. On May 20th the Bismarck was spotted and reported to British intelligence as it passed through the narrow straits between Denmark and Sweden. The British presumed correctly that the Bismarck was headed for the North Atlantic, but by which route? Dividing its naval forces in an attempt to intercept the mighty German battleship, four ships were sent to patrol the Denmark strait, including the newly commissioned battleship Prince of Wales, and the H.M.S. Hood, a heavily armed battle cruiser, pride of the British fleet. On may 23rd the Bismarck was spotted by the H.M.S. Norfolk and the H.M.S. Suffolk. The Bismarck opened fire on the Norfolk, which was out gunned by the German ship, but fortunately was able to elude the Bismarck because of heavy fog and mist. With its position identified British Naval authorities ordered several other ships to the area including the H.M.S. Ark Royal, one of two aircraft carriers dispatched. On May 24th the Bismarck was engaged again. The H.M.S. Hood took a direct hit and exploded with the loss of all but three of its large crew. The Bismarck took two hits from the Prince of Wales during this battle, one of which had the effect of reducing the huge ships effective fuel capacity, and hence range. Later that evening a torpedo plane attack was launched at the German battleship, which sustained one hit with little damage. On May 25th the Bismarck separated from the Prinz Eugen, and set a course for the French coast in hopes of making repairs. On May 26th the Bismarck was located again by a British reconnaissance aircraft. In an attempt to prevent the ship from reaching the safety of Luftwaffe air cover, a second torpedo plane attack was launched from the Ark Royal. Utilizing Fairy Swordfish bi-plane torpedo bombers, two hits were achieved. The first was amidships and caused virtually no damage. The second hit was astern, and resulted in the jamming of the Bismarcks rudder. Unable to maneuver, the great German battleship had little choice that to continue steaming for the French coast. Four more British warships lay in its path including the H.M.S. Rodney, the H.M.S. King George V, the H.M.S. Dorsetshire, and the H.M.S. Norfolk. On the morning of May 27th an enormous sea battle took place, with the unmaneuverable Bismarck taking more than 1,000 direct hits. After losing its fire control system, the Bismarck became a defenseless target. At approximately 10:00 AM Bismarcks Captain gave the orders to scuttle the enormous ship, and about 40 minutes later the great vessel slipped quietly beneath the surface of the Atlantic. Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £109.00 Signed by Baron von Mullenheim Rechberg (deceased) , highest ranking survivor of the Bismarck. Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 12 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 12 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE STK0131 |
| Sea Wings by Ivan Berryman. Signed limited edition of 100 prints. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £145.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm) Printed on high quality 300gsm German watercolour board.. Price £145.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £370.00 £90 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £460
ITEM CODE B0121 |
| Launch Against the Bismarck by Robert Taylor. Late in the day on May 26, 1941, in deteriorating weather, 15 Fairey Swordfish biplanes launched from the heaving deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. Each was armed with a single torpedo, its task to halt the escape of the battleship Bismarck. The navy pilots knew they must succeed before dark: by the following morning the German battleship would reach the protection of Luftwaffe aircraft based in France. Contending with turbulence and sea spray, one by one the Swordfish made their attack, running in just feet above the waves. The frail biplanes were met with a barrage of murderous gunfire, Bismarck bringing all possible armament to bear. Attempting to avoid the in-coming attack, the 42,000 ton battleship was in a high-speed turn when a torpedo from a Number 2 subflight Swordfish struck her steering gear. The explosion irreparably jammed her rudder over 12 degrees sealing the fate of the mighty warship. Unable to steer, all she could do was await the dawn and the arrival of the British Home Fleet. Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Paper size 34 inches x 26 inches (86cm x 66cm). Price £ Signed by Lieutenant Commander John William Jock Moffat RN,
Lieutenant Leslie Bill Bailey RN,
Commander Patrick Bernard Pat Jackson RN and
Rear Admiral Philip David Percy Glick CBE OBE DSC.
ITEM CODE RST0029 |
| HMS Courageous by Randall Wilson. Two Stringbags (Fairey Swordfish) pass across the bow of HMS Courageous as she staggers from torpedo strikes launched from a German U-Boat in the Irish Sea. Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £95.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £130.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Save £5 on selected prints - Was £135
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £480.00 £110 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £590
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £370.00 £90 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £460
Original painting by Randall Wilson. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £2300.00 Massive Summer Sale! To make way for new art projects, this painting is reduced to gallery trade price for all customers!
Save £500 on this original painting! - Was £2800
Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm). Price £2.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
**Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. (One copy reduced to clear) Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £75.00
ITEM CODE DHM0854 |
| HMS Glorious by Ivan Berryman. HMS Glorious flying off a Fairey Swordfish at sunset with HMS Ardent off to Starboard. Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £95.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £130.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Save £5 on selected prints - Was £135
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £480.00 £110 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £590
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £370.00 £90 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £460
Original painting by Ivan Berryman. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £4000.00 Massive Summer Sale! To make way for new art projects, this painting is reduced to gallery trade price for all customers!
Save £1000 on this original painting! - Was £5000
Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm). Price £2.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE DHM0983 |
| Raid on Taranto by Anthony Saunders The balance of maritime power in the Mediterranean was transformed at a stroke by the British air attack which disabled three Italian battleships in a few minutes. The target was the core of Mussolinis fleet, tucked away in Taranto Harbour, in southern Italy. The attack, codenamed Operation Judgement, took place in bright moonlight by twenty-one Swordfish from the British carrier HMS Illustrious. In the confined space of the harbour, their torpedoes had a devastating impact, at least nine torpedoes struck their targets. In all, seven ships were severely damaged, including the battleship Caio Duilio (left), Littorio (right) and Conte Di Cavour. Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 24 inches x 15 inches (61cm x 38cm). Price £95.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 24 inches x 15 inches (61cm x 38cm). Price £145.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £370.00 £90 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £460
Original painting by Anthony Saunders. . Price £3300.00 Massive Summer Sale! To make way for new art projects, this painting is reduced to gallery trade price for all customers!
Save £500 on this original painting! - Was £3800
Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm). Price £2.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE DHM0519 |
| Channel Dash Heroes by Philip West. The Straits of Dover, 12th February 1942. Sub Lieutenant Edgar Lee helps his badly wounded pilot, Sub Lieutenant Brian Rose from the cockpit of their downed Swordfish, before it sinks into the depths of the English Channel following their brave attack on the mighty German fleet. Six Royal Navy Swordfish aircraft manned by 18 aircrew attacked the German warships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, with their accompanying flotilla of destroyers and motor torpedo boats and top cover provided by deadly fighter aircraft of the Luftwaffe. But only five Swordfish crew survived. Signed limited edition of 100 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Lt Cdr Edgar Lee DSO.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Lt Cdr Edgar Lee DSO.
ITEM CODE DHM1669 |
| On a Wing and a Prayer by Philip West. The venerable Fairy Swordfish was the Fleet Air Arms premier torpedo-bomber at the outbreak of World War II. It may have looked archaic in appearance, but its courageous crews proved time and time again that it was a potent fighting machine. Stringbags as they were affectionately known, served in several important roles and theatres including Coastal Command, the Mediterranean and flying from MAC-ships protecting North Atlantic and Arctic convoys. Paper size 27 inches x 16 inches (69cm x 41cm) . Price £95.00 Signed by Sub Lieut (A) Stanley T Brand RNVR.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 27 inches x 16 inches (69cm x 41cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Sub Lieut (A) Stanley T Brand RNVR and Lieutenant Commander John William Jock Moffat RN.
ITEM CODE DHM2675 |
| Operation Judgement by Philip West. The attack on Taranto was the first major victory for naval air power in the world and blueprint for the strike on Pearl Harbor. The Fleet Air Arm played an active part in the fight against the Axis forces in the Mediterranean. Their greatest achievement was the strike against the Italian Fleet at Taranto, 11 November 1940 by four Fleet Air Arm squadrons and 40 or so men who carried out this daring raid. In this picture we see the Swordfish flown by Lt. FMA Torrense-Spence and Lt. AWF Sutton, having just released its torpedo. Signed limited edition of 100 prints. Paper size 26.5 inches x 16.5 inches (67cm x 42cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Capt AWF Sutton DFC (deceased).
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 26.5 inches x 16.5 inches (67cm x 42cm). Price £135.00 Signed byCapt AWF Sutton DFC (deceased), Lt Cdr Edgar Lee, Lt N C Gillis and Sub Lt Stanley Brand.
ITEM CODE DHM2328 |
| Bismarck by Ivan Berryman. Fairey Swordfish I, L9726 4M of 818 Sqn, HMS Ark Royal pulls a tight, climbing turn through a hail of anti-aircraft fire as its torpedo strikes home, jamming the steering gear of the mighty Bismarck and setting in motion the beginning of her dramatic end. Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £95.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £130.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Save £5 on selected prints - Was £135
Limited edition of 5 artist proofs, signed by John Moffat. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £165.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Signature Presentation edition of 5 prints from the limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £350.00 Features the mounted original signatures of
Unteroffizier Heinrich Kuhnt (deceased),
Matrosengefreiter Willi Treinis (deceased)
and
Maschinenobergefreiter Otto Peters.
Limited edition of 300 prints, signed by John Moffat. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £130.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Save £5 on selected prints - Was £135
Limited edition of 10 remarques. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £335.00
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £480.00 £110 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £590
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £370.00 £90 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £460
ITEM CODE DHM0933 |
| Bismarck and Swordfish by Jason Askew. (P)
Original pencil drawing by Jason Askew, with original signatures. Pencil drawing image area size 25.5 inches x 17 inches (65cm x 43cm) Surrounded by coloured border, making the total paper size 35 inches x 23.5 inches (89cm x 63cm). Price £620.00 Signed by Walter Weintz (deceased)
and
Maschinenobergefreiter Otto Peters.
ITEM CODE B0345 |
| Swordfish Over the QE2 by Chris Woods.
Open edition print. Image size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm). Price £13.00
ITEM CODE NTR0082 |
| Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman. Swordfish of 825 Sqn led by Lt-Cdr Esmonde begin their heroic attack on the battlescruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen as they make their way up the English Channel from Brest during Operation Cerberus on 12th February 1942. Although all the aircraft were lost and no significant damage was done to the German fleet, all the pilots were decorated for their bravery and Lt-Cdr Esmonde received the first Fleet Air Arm VC to be awarded, albeit posthumously. The painting depicts the first wave of Swordfish attacking the Scharnhorst with Gneisenau taking avoiding action in the distance. A German torpedo boat has turned to confront the attacking aircraft. Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 12 inches x 7 inches (31cm x 18cm). Price £26.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 12 inches x 7 inches (31cm x 18cm). Price £43.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Save £5 on selected prints - Was £48
Alsen Presentation edition of 5 prints from the limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 12 inches x 7 inches (31cm x 18cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Matrosen Obgefreiter Wilhelm Alsen.
Original black and white acrylic by Ivan Berryman. Image size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm)
. Price £
ITEM CODE B0138 |
| Attack on the
Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman Swordfish of 825 Sqn led by Lt-Cdr Esmonde begin their
heroic attack on the battlescruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and
the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen as they make their way up the
English Channel from Brest during Operation Cerberus on 12th
February 1942. Although all the aircraft were lost and no
significant damage was done to the German fleet, all the pilots
were decorated for their bravery and Lt-Cdr Esmonde received the
first Fleet Air Arm VC to be awarded, albeit posthumously. The painting depicts the first wave of Swordfish attacking
the Scharnhorst with Gneisenau taking avoiding action in the
distance. A German torpedo boat has turned to confront the
attacking aircraft.
Out of Alex by David Pentland A swordfish from HMS Warspite on patrol off the coast of Egypt, near
the port of Alexandria.
HMS Courageous by Randall Wilson. Two Stringbags
(Fairey Swordfish) pass across the bow
of HMS Courageous as she staggers from torpedo strikes launched from a
German U-Boat in the Irish Sea.
HMS Glorious by Ivan Berryman HMS Glorious flying off a Fairey Swordfish at sunset with HMS Ardent
off to Starboard.
Safe Return by Ivan Berryman The pilot of a Fairey Swordfish MKII guides his aircraft towards the
landing ramp of HMS Victorious following a sortie in the Mediterranean Sea
1940
SINK THE BISMARCK BY GEOFF LEA
Sink the Bismarck by Stan Stokes.
Commissioned
on August 24, 1940, the German battleship Bismarck was the epitome of
naval power. The great ship was 823 feet in length, had a beam of 118
feet, and a displacement of 50,000 tons. After nine months of sea trials
the Bismarck embarked on its first mission accompanied by the cruiser
Prinz Eugen on May 19, 1941. The Bismarcks mission was to destroy and
disrupt convoys carrying war relief supplies to Britain from North
America. On May 20th the Bismarck was spotted and reported to British
intelligence as it passed through the narrow straits between Denmark and
Sweden. The British presumed correctly that the Bismarck was headed for
the North Atlantic, but by which route? Dividing its naval forces in an
attempt to intercept the mighty German battleship, four ships were sent
to patrol the Denmark strait, including the newly commissioned
battleship Prince of Wales, and the H.M.S. Hood, a heavily armed battle
cruiser, pride of the British fleet. On may 23rd the Bismarck was
spotted by the H.M.S. Norfolk and the H.M.S. Suffolk. The Bismarck
opened fire on the Norfolk, which was out gunned by the German ship, but
fortunately was able to elude the Bismarck because of heavy fog and
mist. With its position identified British Naval authorities ordered
several other ships to the area including the H.M.S. Ark Royal, one of
two aircraft carriers dispatched. On May 24th the Bismarck was engaged
again. The H.M.S. Hood took a direct hit and exploded with the loss of
all but three of its large crew. The Bismarck took two hits from the
Prince of Wales during this battle, one of which had the effect of
reducing the huge ships effective fuel capacity, and hence range. Later
that evening a torpedo plane attack was launched at the German
battleship, which sustained one hit with little damage. On May 25th the
Bismarck separated from the Prinz Eugen, and set a course for the French
coast in hopes of making repairs. On May 26th the Bismarck was located
again by a British reconnaissance aircraft. In an attempt to prevent the
ship from reaching the safety of Luftwaffe air cover, a second torpedo
plane attack was launched from the Ark Royal. Utilizing Fairy Swordfish
bi-plane torpedo bombers, two hits were achieved. The first was
amidships and caused virtually no damage. The second hit was astern, and
resulted in the jamming of the Bismarcks rudder. Unable to maneuver, the
great German battleship had little choice that to continue steaming for
the French coast. Four more British warships lay in its path including
the H.M.S. Rodney, the H.M.S. King George V, the H.M.S. Dorsetshire, and
the H.M.S. Norfolk. On the morning of May 27th an enormous sea battle
took place, with the unmaneuverable Bismarck taking more than 1,000
direct hits. After losing its fire control system, the Bismarck became a
defenseless target. At approximately 10:00 AM Bismarcks Captain gave the
orders to scuttle the enormous ship, and about 40 minutes later the
great vessel slipped quietly beneath the surface of the Atlantic.
Flight Against the Bismarck by Philip West. The
Royal Navys week long chase of the formidable German battleship Bismarck
culminated in the foul evening weather of 26th May 1941. Despite the
deck of HMS Ark Royal pitching through 55 feet, S/Lt John Moffat was one
of fifteen Swordfish pilots who took off to attack Bismarck. After 90
minutes of arduous and turbulent flying the Swordfish found their quarry
and dived through the intense anti-aircraft fire to drop their
torpedoes. One of these hit and jammed Bismarcks rudder and condemned
the battleship to sail in slow circles. The Royal Navys own capital
ships then closed in and pounded Bismarck into a burning wreck.
Operation Cerberus - The Channel
Dash by Philip West. The
Channel Dash (officially known as Operation Cerberus) was one of three
operations during the Second World War for which the Swordfish was to
become the most famous. Heavily outgunned in the Straits of Dover on
this day in February 1942 by the German warships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau
and Prinz Eugen, with their accompanying flotilla of destroyers and
motor torpedo boats, and with top cover provided by deadly fighter
aircraft of the Luftwaffe, all six Fleet Air Arm Swordfish were shot
down. Only five of the eighteen aircrew survived. Here we see the
Swordfish flown by Sub. Lt. Kingsmill and Sub. Lt. Samples with PO Bunce
in the rear, fighting for their lives with his machine gun.
Operation Judgement by Philip West.
The attack
on Taranto was the first major victory for naval air power in the world
and blueprint for the strike on Pearl Harbor. The Fleet Air Arm played
an active part in the fight against the Axis forces in the
Mediterranean. Their greatest achievement was the strike against the
Italian Fleet at Taranto, 11 November 1940 by four Fleet Air Arm
squadrons and 40 or so men who carried out this daring raid. In this
picture we see the Swordfish flown by Lt. FMA Torrense-Spence and Lt.
AWF Sutton, having just released its torpedo.
Swordfish Attack at Taranto by Robert Taylor On November 11, 1940 a group of 21 slow, outdated Swordfish biplanes
attacked and crippled the Italian Fleet in the heavily defended port of
Taranto. One of the most daring raids of World War II captured in this
print for posterity Signed by C Lamb, D Janvrin. |
|
825 Squadron was formed 8th October 1934
as a reconnaissance squadron equipped with the Fairey IIIF. In July 1936,
825 re-equipped with the Fairey Swordfish Mk I bi-plane whilst on HMS
Glorious. In May 1940, 825 disembarked to UK land bases, carrying out
operations against U-Boats and E-Boats in the Calais area during Operation
Dynamo - the Dunkirk evacuation. They joined HMS Furious in July, taking
part in operations off Norway during September. In May 1941, 825 joined
HMS Victorious and successfully located the German battleship Bismarck.
Damage inflicted by the squadron enabled surface vessels to sink the
battleship on 26th May. They transferred to HMS Ark Royal in June for
Malta convoy protection duties. Following the sinking of HMS Ark Royal in
November the squadron was reformed at Lee-on-Solent in January 1942. Six
aircraft on detachment at RAF Manston attacked the German ships
Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen in the English Channel. No hits
were made and all aircraft were lost. 825 was on convoy escort duty in the
Arctic and Atlantic until its disbandment in April 1945. Since 1945, 825
has been reformed and disbanded several times. They reformed at RNAS
Culdros in May 1982 seeing action in the Falkland Islands. 825 returned to
the UK and was finally disbanded September 1982. Battle
Honours: Dunkirk 1940, English Channel 1940-42, Norway 1940, Bismarck
1941, Malta Convoys 1941, Arctic 1942-45, Atlantic 1944, Korea 1952,
Falkland Islands 1982. Motto: "Nihil Obstat" (Nothing Stops Us).
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