891 Naval Air Squadron was an aircraft squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm during World War II. The unit was equipped with Hellcat IIs, operating in the Pacific as night fighters.
In August 1942 the squadron transferred from RNAS Lee-on-Solent where it had been formed to RNAS Charlton Horethorne with six Sea Hurricanes to prepare for carrier operations, later transferring to RNAS St Merryn and then embarking on HMS Dasher to take part in Operation Torch.
On 8 November 1954 891NAS recommissioned with De Havilland Sea Venom FAW 20s under the command of Lt Cmdr M. A. Birrell DSC. The sqn initially equipped with two Sea Venoms and four Sea Vampire T22s, then on 1 March 1955 the sqn formed an 'X' flight commanded by Lt Cmdr G. M. Jude Royal Australian Navy to train RAN crews in preparation for the formation of 808RAN Squadron in August 1955. 891 replaced its MK 20 Sea Venoms with MK 21s in June 1955, then in April 1956 the sqn disbanded, only to reform in December 1957 under the command of Lt Cmdr J. F. Blunden at RNAS Merryfield with Sea Venom FAW MK 22s. 891 was the last Sea Venom sqn to see active service when operating from HMS Centaur it became involved in operation 'Damen', carrying out rocket attacks against Yemeni rebel infiltrations in Aden. 891NAS disbanded as the last frontline Sea Venom sqn in July 1961.
Famous quotes containing the words naval, air and/or squadron:
“It is now time to stop and to ask ourselves the question which my last commanding officer, Admiral Hyman Rickover, asked me and every other young naval officer who serves or has served in an atomic submarine. For our Nation M for all of us M that question is, “Why not the best?””
—Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)
“The thundering line of battle stands,
And in the air Death moans and sings:
But Day shall clasp him with strong hands,
And Night shall fold him in soft wings.”
—Julian Grenfell (1888–1915)
“Well gentlemen, this is it. This is what we’ve been waiting for. Tonight your target is Tokyo. And you’re gonna play ‘em the Star Spangled Banner with two-ton bombs. All you’ve got to do is to remember what you’ve learned and follow your squadron leaders. They’ll get you in, and they’ll get you out. Any questions? All right that’s all. Good luck to you. Give ‘em hell.”
—Dudley Nichols (1895–1960)