75th Anniversary of VJ Day

[layman]

re Seafires landing successfully

Commander Mike Crossley wrote "They Gave Me a Seafire" e.g. https://www.bookdepository.com/They-.../9781473821910

He was leading a combined 801 & 880 squadron on the HMS Implacable in the BPF at war's end.

A while since I read it but I seem to recall by the tine they were attacking Japan itself, the later model Seafires, altered landing procedures, and different ground attack tactics, enabled quite low loss and damage rates

[Geriaviator]

Thanks for the reference, They Gave Me a Seafire is a brilliant book which is available on Kindle. Cdr Crossley explains the Seafire saga which began with a strengthened Spitfire and arrester hook which accentuated that wonderful aircraft's CG problems. Measures to cope with these problems included an elevator bobweight which produced even more difficulties, all combining to claim the lives of several of his comrades. Too long to cover in the depth it deserves but those interested will find it fascinating. Operating such beasts on land would have worried me, but anyone who lands anything on a carrier has my fullest admiration, all honours to the Fleet Air Arm!

[Tankertrashnav]

Addition: I have always thought the Burma Star (and Pacific Clasp) or Pacific Star (and Burma Clasp) - was a bit rough - mind you given how long the Artic Star took to arrive may be not. For those who don't know those eligilble for both only got the first earned plus the clasp for the other. HMG seems less mean these days; I am sure many of us remember serving with men with multiple clasps on the GSM as the only visible recognition of their active service.

Also clasps "Air Crew Europe" or "France and Germany" on the Atlantic Star (but not both). I don't think it was a matter of parsimony, more a way of avoiding over long medal groups. As things stood it was still possible to be awarded five stars out of the eight issued (six, now that the Arctic Star has been instituted). One well known recipient of a "five star" group was Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, RN, whose group contains the Burma Star with Pacific clasp referred to by SLXOwft.

[Mogwi]

Originally Posted by SLXOwft

So taking hits is a family habit?

Impressive that he got it on deck and then he could walk away from that, I assume he couldn't or chose not to lower his hook? I have always thought Seafire pilots had to be bloody brave to fly one never mind fight it.

Strikes me 894 NAS's war service would have made a great book.

I believe that his hook was down but was taken off by the round down, leaving a dent that was still there when she was eventually scrapped. The final 1st Lt (Lt Cdr Sir Keneth Craddock-Hartopp DSC BT RN - He of Yeovilton gin pennant fame) said years later that it was impossible to get the rust out of the crease to repaint it! The Captain of Indefat remarked to Mog senior that he had now destroyed 5 aircraft, 2 of which were hostile!

Mog

[Bengo]

Originally Posted by Mogwi

I believe that his hook was down but was taken off by the round down, leaving a dent that was still there when she was eventually scrapped. The final 1st Lt (Lt Cdr Sir Keneth Craddock-Hartopp DSC BT RN - He of Yeovilton gin pennant fame) said years later that it was impossible to get the rust out of the crease to repaint it! The Captain of Indefat remarked to Mog senior that he had now destroyed 5 aircraft, 2 of which were hostile!

Mog

Cue the A25 song.

N

[Old-Duffer]

A25!

They say in the air force a landing's OK
If the pilot can't fly but still walk away
But in the fleet air arm, the outlooks pretty grim
If the landings a prang and the pilot can't swim.

and so it goes on for a variable number of verses!

Old Duffer

[esa-aardvark]

I was born in 1942. By then my father had left for Canada, then USA, then India, Then Burma.
At wars end back to India to stay until independence day. So I was 5 years old when I met him.
He did have the Burma Star.