I am trying to find out if any Fulmar aircraft from HMS Ark Royal participated at all in the search for the Bismarck, 23-27 May 1941. It is well documented that HMS Victorious' Fulmars from FAA No. 800 Squadron were launched 24/25 May 1941.
However, in his Despatch on the Sinking of the Bismarck dated 5 July 1941, Admiral Tovey wrote the following:
J. F. SOMERVILLE,60. ... Ten Swordfish were flown off at 0835 on 26th May for the first search, whose western edge was next to the flying boat patrols arranged by the Admiralty. It had been hoped to thicken the search with Fulmars, but the weather conditions rendered this impracticable. The wind was from 320°, force 7, sea rough, sky overcast, visibility 10 - 12 miles; the round down of the Ark Royal was rising and falling 56ft.
In his Despatch dated 4 June 1941 Vice Admiral Somerville, Flag Officer Commanding Force H, wrote the following:
Above quotes from The London Gazette, dated 14 October 1947, Supplement dated 16 October 1947.10. Ten Swordfish were flown off at 0835 from position 48° 26' N. 19° 13' W. Two cross-over patrols by Catalinas, arranged by the Admiralty, lay along the western edge of ARK ROYAL's reconnaissance. Weather conditions at this time were wind from 320° force 7, sea rough, sky overcast, visibility 10-12 miles. It had been hoped to increase the density of the search by the use of Fulmars, but weather conditions rendered this impracticable. ARK ROYAL's round down was rising and falling 56 feet at times, as measured by sextant. The handling of the aircraft on the flight deck was always difficult and several slid bodily across the deck which was wet with spray.
…
22. … The striking force, of 15 Swordfish look off at 1450 in position 49° 35' N. 18° 30' W., One aircraft had to return and made a successful emergency landing with the torpedo in place just after the last of the striking force had left the deck. It had been intended to carry out a synchronised diversion by Fulmars, but this had to be abandoned owing to sea and cloud conditions.
I submitted this inquiry to the Royal Navy Research Archive Forum as a topic.
https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.or ... ml#msg1654
I only had one response.
Assuming that "Fulmars did not participate" in the search for the Bismarck, 23-27 May 1941, then I do not understand how FAA No. 808 Sqn was granted the Battle Honour 'BISMARCK' and FAA No. 807 Sqn was not granted the Battle Honour. If no aircraft were flown then surely neither squadron should be granted the Battle Honour. If by simply having been present onboard HMS Ark Royal, and there having been a clear intent to launch Fulmars which had been thwarted by the weather, then both squadrons should have been granted the Battle Honour. How could one squadron be granted the Battle Honour and the other not?According to the timeline shown on the naval history site, Fulmars did not participate, see:
http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono ... _Royal.htm.
However, I do see two options that could explain this anomaly.
Firstly, a Fulmar from FAA No. 808 Squadron was in fact launched, on a day earlier in the search, i.e. 25 May.
Secondly, one or more aircrew of FAA No. 808 Squadron flew in a Swordfish during the initial search for the Bismarck, and/or during the attacks launched against the Bismarck.
Can any Member shed any light on this apparent anomaly please?
Kind regards, Michael L.