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:
“The world was a huge ball then, the universe a might harmony of ellipses, everything moved mysteriously, incalculable distances through the ether.
We used to feel the awe of the distant stars upon us. All that led to was the eighty-eight naval guns, ersatz, and the night air-raids over cities. A magnificent spectacle.
After the collapse of the socialist dream, I came to America.”
—John Dos Passos (1896–1970)
“More beautiful and soft than any moth
With burring furred antennae feeling its huge path
Through dusk, the air liner with shut-off engines
Glides over suburbs”
—Stephen Spender (1909–1995)
“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)