All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB. The blitz on HMS Illustrious 70 years ago. This is a shout out to any members of the Phot Branch who were on board HMS Illustrious acting as a film crew when it sailed from the UK until departing the ship in Hong Kong, who were employed to make a documentary of life on board during the deployment. [83], Formidable's arrival allowed Rawlings to order Illustrious to the advance base in San Pedro Bay, in the Philippines, for a more thorough inspection. In an effort to cure the problem, the propeller was removed, and the shaft was locked in place in February; these radical measures succeeded in reducing, but not eliminating, the vibrations and reduced the ship's speed to about 24 knots (44km/h; 28mph). H.M.S. Aircraft from 819 Squadron laid six mines in the harbour entrance while those from 815 Squadron sank the destroyer Borea and two freighters totalling 10,192gross register tons(GRT). [78] She was assigned to the 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron (1st ACS), commanded by Rear Admiral Sir Philip Vian when he arrived at Colombo aboard the carrier Indefatigable. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS ASSOCIATION The 5th HMS ILLUSTRIOUS was named and launched on 1st December 1978 by HRH Princess Margaret and Admiral of the Fleet, Earl Mountbatten of Burma. During a severe gale in late October, the ship aided the small coastal steamer SSYewpark that had lost power. Power was from 4 x Admiralty water-tube boilers feeding 2 x Parsons geared steam turbines driving 40,000 horsepower to 2 x shafts under stern. The necessity to attack from the south, across the full width of Java, meant that the target was outside the Barracuda's range and 810 and 847 Squadrons were replaced by the 18 Grumman Avengers of 832 and 845 Squadrons for the mission. Short relieved Watson on 28 December. [27] Her squadrons flew back aboard, and she sailed for the Mediterranean on 22 August with 15 Fulmars and 18 Swordfish aboard. HMS Illustrious' casualty list was terrible: 126 dead and 91 wounded. The Germans had laid mines in the canal earlier. The crew of the submarine surrendered and survivors were taken off. MaritimeQuest - Nominal List of Ship's Company of HMS Illustrious Website with searchable ship database about warships, passenger liners, merchant ships, photo galleries, technical details, stories, news and much more. Class and type: Nimitz-class aircraft carrier Displacement: 104,600 long tons Length: Overall: 1,092 feet (332.8 m) Waterline: 1,040 feet (317.0 m) Propulsion: 2 Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors 4 steam turbines driving 4 shafts 260,000 shp (194 MW) Speed: 30+ knots (56+ km/h; 35+ mph) Range: Unlimited distance; 20-25 years . British carrier HMS Illustrious and the escort carrier HMS Atheling, with covering forces, completed a series of diversionary raids on Sabang, Sumatra, Dutch East Indies, with the goal of tying down Japanese forces during the American Operation Forager attack on the Mariana Islands. [35] Three Swordfish crashed shortly after take-off on 10 and 11 November, probably due to fuel contamination, and the maintenance crewmen spent all day laboriously draining all the fuel tanks and refilling them with clean petrol. The design was unique in the sense that the flight deck was armored, unlike many of her contemporaries outside her class; however, the added protection also limited the total number of aircraft she was capable of carrying. Between the three squadrons they had 20 Fireflies and 8 Sea Furies when they participated in the major NATO exercise Main Brace later in the month. Clark John Thomas. [30] While escorting a convoy to Malta on 29 September, the carrier's Fulmars broke up attacks by Italian high-level and torpedo bombers, shooting down one for the loss of one fighter. The main armament of the Illustrious class consisted of sixteen quick-firing (QF) 4.5-inch (110 mm) dual-purpose guns in eight twin- gun turrets, four in sponsons on each side of the hull. British aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, damaged by Stuka dive bombers on 10 Jan, completed temporary repairs and departed Malta for Alexandria, Egypt with destroyers HMS Jervis, HMS Juno, HMS Janus, and HMS Greyhound in escort. For this operation, her fighters were reinforced by a detachment of three Fulmars from 805 Squadron. A flight of nine SM.79s was intercepted later that day and the Fulmars claimed to have damaged one of the bombers, although it actually failed to return to base. News stories in brief from around the World. Sharon Howard SA Served from 1991 - 1998 Served in HMS Illustrious John Scott CHIEF PETTY OFFICER Served from 1975 - 2000 Served in HMS Illustrious Stephen Knott MEM Served from 1998 - 2002 Served in HMS Illustrious Glenn Ashley These ships proceeded through the Minches and were joined around 1100/31 by the aircraft carriers HMS Illustrious (Capt. ww2dbaseIn 1943, Illustrious returned to the Mediterranean Sea and joined Force H based in Gibraltar. 150, 159; Hobbs 2013, p. 91; McCart, pp. Two years later, she made 29.2 knots from 111,450shp (83,110kW). Today in Naval History - Naval / Maritime Events in History 23rd of March please use the following link and you will find the details and all events of this day . 47273, Brown 1971; pp. ww2dbaseThe repair work completed in May 1942. 2526, Brown 1971, p. 257; Brown, J. D., p. 81, McCart, p. 26, Brown 1971, p. 257; Brown, J. D., p. 81; Hobbs 2013, p. 91; McCart, pp. PA. Italian merchant ships Gloria Stella and Maria Eugenia were also sunk. Nov 25, 2008. This left only 21 aircraft available for the attack. The attackers were all shot down, but two shells fired by either Indomitable or the battleship King George V struck Illustrious, killing 12 and wounding 21 men. When the 1,000-kilogram (2,200lb) bomb that it was carrying detonated in the water only 50 feet (15.2m) from the side of the ship, the resulting shock wave badly damaged two Corsairs parked on the deck and severely shook the ship. The noise of the on-coming first airstrike was heard at 22:25 and the anti-aircraft guns defending the port opened fire shortly afterwards, as did those on the ships in the harbour. Both sets of trials were completed by 18 July, by which time the Illustrious had joined the Home Fleet. Somerville decided to attack Sabang again (Operation Crimson), although the ships of the East Indies Fleet would bombard the port while the fighters from the Illustrious and the Victorious spotted for them and protected the fleet. On 22 November she was assigned to the newly formed British Pacific Fleet (BPF), commanded by Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser. 8183; McCart, p. 27; Sturtivant, p. 417, Brown 1971, pp. . and useful information about WW2. While conducting her post-refit trials, she also conducted flying trials for Martlet Vs and Barracudas. Occasionally, we would get a direct hit with our small practice bombs, and it must have been an earthshattering experience for the boat crew because it was an unwritten law that any pilot getting a direct hit on the boat would deliver a previous page page_29 next page > previous page page_30 next page > Page 30 case of cold beer to the crew. They had to be replaced by men from the UK so Illustrious ferried the replacements to Malta, sailing on 21 November and returning on 11 December to Portsmouth. 122123, 126, Brown 1971; Brown, J. D., p. 76; Shores, pp. Later in the day, D'Entrecasteaux attempted to put to sea, but she was successfully bombed by an 829 Squadron Swordfish and deliberately run aground to avoid sinking. 9293; McCart, pp. She sailed four days later, having embarked twenty-one Swordfish, nine Martlet IIs of 881 Squadron and six Martlet Is of 882 Squadron,[61] and two Fulmar fighters[62] prior to escorting a troop convoy carrying some of the men allocated for the assault. British carrier HMS Illustrious and the escort carrier HMS Atheling, with covering forces, began a series of diversionary raids on Sabang, Sumatra, Dutch East Indies, with the goal of tying down Japanese forces during the American Operation Forager attack on the Mariana Islands. She returned to Norfolk on 9 December, to rendezvous with Formidable, which had also been repaired there, and the carriers sailed for home three days later. Her Corsairs claimed four enemy aircraft shot down as did one Avenger pilot who claimed victory over a Nakajima Ki-44 "Tojo" fighter. On 12 and 13 April, the BPF switched targets to airfields in northern Formosa and her sister joined the task force on 14 April. With both Illustrious and Eagle under his command, Admiral Cunningham could now take the offensive. The British ships were spotted by Blohm & Voss BV 138 flying boats and 890 Squadron shot down two of them before the fleet returned to Scapa Flow on 29 July. This meant that the ship had to be capable of remaining in action after sustaining damage and that her fragile aircraft had to be protected entirely from damage. Even $1 per month will go a long way! [80], She arrived on 10 February and repairs began when she entered the Captain Cook Dock in the Garden Island Dockyard the next day, well before it was officially opened by the Duke of Gloucester, the Governor-General of Australia on 24 March. These were 'U'-shaped beams that extended from the side of the flight deck into which aircraft tailwheels were placed. It also blew a hole in the hangar deck, damaging areas three decks below. One patrolling Swordfish sank the submarine Le Hros and another spotted for ships bombarding French defences. This aircraft was one of the ancestors of the Supermarine Swift fighter. Later that morning three of the five Fulmars on Combat Air Patrol (CAP) engaged three SM.79s at low altitude, claiming one shot down. [63] After her stay at Freetown, Illustrious proceeded to Durban; during the voyage her staff also fitted ASV radar to the replacement Swordfish. Vice-Admiral Arthur Power carried out another raid on Port Blair in the Nicobar Islands with carrier HMS Illustrious, battleship HMS Renown, and French battleship Richelieu, with light covering forces. Brown 1977, p. 44; Friedman, p. 134; Hobbs 2013, pp. It was partially obscured by clouds and heavy squalls so the attacking aircraft had only moderate success, setting some structures on fire and destroying several aircraft on the ground. Illustrious was commissioned into service. These latter aircraft lacked folding wings and could not fit on the lifts. [18] At this time her complement was 1,997 officers and enlisted men. 134, 136, 14243, 145, 147; McCart, p. 32, Brown 1971, p. 261; Hobbs 2011, pp. [43] Two weeks later, 15 Swordfish attacked Italian positions on Leros,[44] losing one Swordfish. Her light antiaircraft defences included six octuple mounts for QF 2-pounder ("pom-pom") antiaircraft guns, two each fore and aft of her island, and two in sponsons on the port side of the hull. This section includes over 21.000 Allied Warships and over 11.000 Allied Commanders of WWII, from the US Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, The Polish Navy and others. Radio. One bomb penetrated the outer edge of the forward port flight deck and detonated about 10 feet (3.0m) above the water, riddling the adjacent hull structure with holes which caused flooding in some compartments and starting a fire. HMS Illustrious arrived at Alexandria, Egypt. HMS Illustrious was the lead ship of her class of aircraft carriers built for the Royal Navy She fought in the Mediterranean and Far East . Copyright 2004-2023 Lava Development, LLC., all rights reserved, Aircraft Carrier Illustrious Photo Gallery, See all 20 photographs of Aircraft Carrier Illustrious, Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness, Britain, 6 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 3 Parsons geared turbines, 3 shafts, 8x2 QF 4.5in naval guns, 6x8 QF 2 pounder naval guns. Later in the month she hosted the Sea Furies of 802 and the Fireflies of 814 Squadrons for Exercise Winged Fleet. In the meantime, she continued to conduct operations with the rest of the fleet. The carrier participated in the early stages of the Battle of Okinawa until mechanical defects arising from accumulated battle damage became so severe she was ordered home early for repairs in May 1945. In 1951, she helped to transport troops to quell rioting in Cyprus after the collapse of the Anglo-Egyptian treaty of 1936. [6] By 1944, she was severely overcrowded with a total crew of 1,997. One additional Swordfish, piloted by Lieutenant Charles Lamb, was attempting to land when the bombs began to strike and was forced to ditch when it ran out of fuel; the crew was rescued by the destroyer Juno. The destroyer Aquilone later struck one of the mines and sank. site is two fold. After the tour's conclusion on 12 May, she sailed for Scottish waters for more deck-landing practice with the destroyer Rocket as her planeguard. HMS Belfast; What's on; Objects & History. [38] Six aircraft in each airstrike were armed with torpedoes and the remainder with bombs or flares or both to supplement the three-quarter moon. Thank you. While running trials in 1948, after another refit, she reached a maximum speed of 29 knots (54km/h; 33mph) from 110,680shp (82,530kW). [7] By 1945, accumulated wear-and-tear as well as undiagnosed shock damage to Illustrious's machinery caused severe vibrations in her centre propeller shaft at high speeds. If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. JUNE 1945, ON BOARD HMS ILLUSTRIOUS. Pete and Jan Owens Records of seafarers and ships British seafarers of the late 19th and early 20th century are the best documented workers that there have ever been - millions of documents survive, recording in detail the crews of a hundred thousand ships. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. "[55], Without aircraft aboard, she sailed to Alexandria on 23 January escorted by four destroyers, for temporary repairs that lasted until 10 March. She exchanged them for Firebrands for the return voyage. [87] In November the government accelerated the demobilisation of some National Servicemen and almost 2,000 men serving in the Mediterranean became eligible for release. Her catapult was upgraded to handle heavier aircraft, her flight deck was further improved, and her radar suite was modernized. 26364; McCart, pp. Nominal List of Ship's Company of HMS Illustrious 1944-45 This list was published in the Beacon Annual 1944-45. The ship was recommissioned in early September. By which time, Japan had entered the war, threatening British possessions in Asia. All three were shot down for the loss of one Martlet. Her light AA armament now consisted of six octuple "pom-pom" mountings, eighteen single Oerlikons, and seventeen single and two twin Bofors mounts. The oil refineries at the Wonokromo district of Surabaya, Java, Dutch East Indies and the nearby Braat Engineering Works were struck by British and American carrier aircraft struck by carrier aircraft of the Royal Navys Eastern Fleet made up of carriers HMS Illustrious and USS Saratoga escorted by HMS Cumberland, HMS Renown, USS Cummings, and others. She was the fifth warship and second aircraft carrier to bear the name Illustrious, and was affectionately known to her crew as "Lusty". During the morning of 10 January, her Swordfish attacked an Italian convoy without significant effect. HMS Illustrious was the lead ship of her class of aircraft carriers built for the Royal Navy before World War II. On the morning of 7 May, Martlets from 881 Squadron intercepted three Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighters on a reconnaissance mission. [72], She then returned to Britain on 18 October for a quick refit at Birkenhead that included further improvements to the flight deck and the reinforcement of her light anti-aircraft armament. In September, it decided that the Illustrious would become the trials and training carrier for the Home Fleet and her repairs were changed into a lengthy refit that lasted until June 1946. The carrier and her escorts arrived back at Trincomalee on 23 June where 847 Squadron was merged into 810 Squadron a week later. Repairs were made in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where her destroyed aircraft were replaced and augmented by twelve additional Martlet II fighters from HMS Archer, while two Martlet I aircraft were, in turn, transferred to Archer, bringing Illustrious's total aircraft complement to 47. She was reunited with the four other carriers that served with the BPF for the first time since the war for the Coronation Fleet Review of Queen Elizabeth II on 15 June at Spithead. The ship was equipped with two unarmoured lifts on the centreline, each of which measured 45 by 22 feet (13.7 by 6.7m). One bomb struck and destroyed the starboard forward "pom-pom" mount closest to the island, while another passed through the forwardmost port "pom-pom" mount and failed to detonate, although it did start a fire. The MOD has announced today that, following an open competition, the former aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious is to be recycled. The attacks killed 126 officers and men and wounded 91. Two of the Barracudas were forced to return with engine trouble before the attack began and another was shot down over the target. [9] She carried a maximum of 4,850 long tons (4,930t) of fuel oil which gave her a range of 10,700 nautical miles (19,800km; 12,300mi) at 10 knots (19km/h; 12mph) or 10,400nmi (19,300km; 12,000mi) at 16 knots (30km/h; 18mph)[5] or 6,300nmi (11,700km; 7,200mi) at 25 knots (46km/h; 29mph). The British role during the operation was to neutralise airfields on the Sakishima Islands, between Okinawa and Formosa, beginning on 26 March. During September she participated in Exercise Mariner with three British squadrons of Fireflies and Sea Furies and a Dutch Squadron of Avengers. The two airstrikes had changed the balance of power in the Mediterranean by rendering the Conte di Cavour unavailable for the rest of the war, and badly damaging the Littorio and the Duilio. On 21 June, the ship launched 15 Barracudas and 23 Corsairs against the airfield and harbour of Port Blair. Afterwards, she was opened for visits by the public before returning to Portsmouth. some really good leads ,two good sites I found were World Navalships Froums & the other was Sevicepals.com + I got a crew snap shot prior to them sailing to Crete,some one else maybe interested in this info.Keep me posted Folks if . Her fighter complement was augmented by 878 and 890 Squadrons, each with 10 Martlet Vs, and 894 Squadron with 10 Seafire IICs. pilot and ground crew aboard HMS Illustrious April 1945. HMS Illustrious relieves Invincible on air defence duties, off Falkland Islands, August 1982 HMS Illustrious had a unique start to her career. [63] Before dawn on 5 May, she launched 18 Swordfish together with 8 Martlets. 30, 32, Brown 1971, pp. De Trafford, Stretford, on 3 December 1983. [4], Illustrious was 740 feet (225.6m) in length overall and 710 feet (216.4m) at the waterline. Captain John Hughes-Hallett relieved Edwards on 14 June. The Royal Air Force (RAF) had positioned a Short Sunderland flying boat off the harbour to search for any movement to or from the port and this was detected at 17:55 by acoustic locators and again at 20:40, alerting the defenders. . 1914, to provide crew for the newly requisitioned battleship Erin. In 1945, after a period of rest and re-supply in Fremantle, Australia, she sailed north and joined Allied Task Force 57 to cover the Okinawa operation. Over the next several months she conducted deck-landing practice for Avenger and Seafire pilots before starting a short refit on 2 April. The ship was laid down on 17th June that year and launched on 17th August 1939 . HMS Kelly was Mountbatten's ship. On the night of 15/16 December, Illustrious collided with Formidable in a moderate storm. J.P. Scatchard, DSC, RN), HMS Tenacious (Lt.Cdr. Illustrious was decommissioned from service. 810 Squadron was the only unit retained from her previous air group and it had been re-equipped with Barracudas during her refit. Later that day seven Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 medium bombers were intercepted by three Fulmars, which claimed to have shot down one bomber and damaged another. Corsairs of the HMS Illustrious ranged before taking off to strafe Japanese airfields in Sumatra. . Below are just some of our members who have served at HMS Illustrious. [6], The 753-foot (229.5m) armoured flight deck had a usable length of 620 feet (189.0m), due to prominent "round-downs"[Note 1] at each end designed to reduce the effects of air turbulence caused by the carrier's structure on aircraft taking-off and landing, and a maximum width of 95 feet (29.0m). Later in the day her Corsairs intercepted 10 Ki-43s and shot down two of them while driving off the remainder. Now escorted by the bulk of the Mediterranean Fleet, eight of her Swordfish, together with some from the carrier Eagle, attacked the Italian seaplane base at Rhodes on the morning of 3 September. [59] While working up her air group in March, reinforced by the Grumman Martlet fighters (the British name of the F4F Wildcat) of 881 and 882 Squadrons, she conducted trials of a "hooked" Supermarine Spitfire fighter, the prototype of the Seafire. A follow on airstrike was planned for the next night based on the pessimistic assessments of the aircrews, but it was cancelled due to bad weather. She embarked the Barracudas of 810 and 847 Squadrons of No. She was the fifth warship and second aircraft carrier to bear the name Illustrious, and was affectionately known to her crew as "Lusty". A Z.501 searching for the fleet was shot down on 10 November by a Fulmar and another on the 11th. Her exact speeds were not recorded as she had her paravanes streamed, but it was estimated that she could have made about 31 knots (57km/h; 36mph) under full power. The Type 281 radar was replaced by an upgraded Type 281M, and a single-antenna Type 79M was added. The flight deck was extended forward, which increased her overall length to 748feet 6inches (228.1m). Her light antiaircraft armament was also augmented during the refit. The light AA guns managed to sever its port wing so that it missed the ship, although its starboard wingtip shattered the Type 272's radome mounted on the front of the bridge. 16th Jan 1941 HMS Illustrious 22nd January 1941 Italian airfields attacked If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. The design was unique in the sense that the flight deck was armored, unlike many of her contemporaries outside her class; however, the added protection also limited the total number of aircraft she was capable of carrying. She was paid off in early 1955 and sold for scrap in late 1956. 854 Squadron was disembarked while at Sydney, but the carrier kept her two Corsair squadrons until after arriving in the UK on 27 June. HMS Cumberland carried out offensive sweep in Indian Ocean with HM Battleships Queen Elizabeth, Valiant, HM Battlecruiser Renown, HM Aircraft Carrier Illustrious, HM Cruisers London, Gambia and Ceylon screened by fleet destroyers. [45] On the night of 16/17 December, 11 Swordfish bombed Rhodes and the island of Stampalia with little effect. British Fleet Air Arm Swordfish aircraft of HMS Illustrious spotted French submarine Le Hros off Courrier Bay, Madagascar at 0500 hours and attacked with depth charges; Le Hros attempted to evade by diving, but ultimately would be forced to surface and would be scuttled by her own crew to prevent capture. The Illustrious-class carriers were of a new school of thinking, providing battlecruiser class armor to purpose-built carriers. In addition the two steel fire curtains in the hangar were replaced by asbestos ones. [52][53], Another attack by 13 Ju 87s at 13:20 hit the ship once more in the aft lift well, which again knocked out her steering and reduced her speed to 15 knots (28km/h; 17mph). After summer leave for her crew, she resumed deck-landing trials in September and October,[86] including the initial trials of the prototype Supermarine Attacker jet-powered fighter in the latter month. ILLUSTRIOUS-Class Fleet Aircraft Carrier ordered on 19th March 1937 from Harland and Wolff Ltd. at Belfast under the 1937 Programme. [9] On 6 March she sailed to the BPF's advance base at Manus Island and, after her arrival a week later, Illustrious and her sisters Indomitable and Victorious, as well as the carrier Indefatigable, exercised together before sailing for Ulithi on 18 March. C. Peter Chen of Lava Development, LLC. Gruppe/StG 2) began their attack, led by Paul-Werner Hozzel. One torpedo bomber was shot down, but the other aircraft returned. In 1940 HMS Illustrious was sent to Gibraltar and after refueling in Gibraltar, Illustrious and the battleship Valiant were escorted into the Mediterranean by Force H as part of Operation Hats, during which her Fulmars shot down five Italian bombers and her AA guns shot down two more. Second, it is to showcase [90], Captain S. H. Carlill assumed command on 24 June and the Illustrious resumed deck-landing training. Today in Naval History - Naval / Maritime Events in History 19 December 1796 - HMS Courageux (1753/1761 - 74), Lt. John Burrows (Act. He believed that carriers could not be successfully defended by their own aircraft without some form of early-warning system. THE AIRPLANE SCRAPED . She was sold on 3 November 1956 and broken up in early 1957. While the precise details on activities of the carrier's squadrons are not readily available, it is known that the commanding officer of 854 Squadron was forced to ditch his Avenger on the morning of 27 March with the loss of both his crewmen; he was ultimately rescued that evening by an American submarine. War Hero. [22] She was laid down at their Barrow-in-Furness shipyard two weeks later as yard number 732 and launched on 5 April 1939. In this role she conducted the deck-landing trials for most of the British post-war naval aircraft in the early 1950s. A single hydraulic aircraft catapult was fitted on the forward part of the flight deck. The high-angle director atop the island was replaced with an American SM-1 fighter-direction radar, a Type 293M target-indication system was added, and the Type 281M was replaced with a prototype Type 960 early-warning radar. 4 Squadron and No. [14] This increased her aircraft complement to 47 aircraft by use of a permanent deck park of 6 aircraft. Illustrious began her final maintenance period at Devonport Royal Dockyard on 10 December. She sailed for Alexandria, Egypt for temporary repairs, and then sailed for the Norfolk Navy Yard in Virginia, United States for permanent repairs. On the early morning of 25 July, Illustrious launched 22 Corsairs for CAP and to observe the naval gunfire and take photos for post-attack damage assessments. ww2dbaseAfter the war, Illustrious' role was reduced to a training and trials ship due to the heavy damage suffered during WW2. [7], During her 1943 refits, the flight deck was modified to extend its usable length to 740 feet (225.6m), and "outriggers" were probably added at this time. [93] Another model of Illustrious in her late-war appearance is at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in RNAS Yeovilton. 17, 19; Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987b, pp. Boyd was promoted to rear admiral on 18 February and relieved Lyster as Rear Admiral Aircraft Carriers. [70], On 26 July, she sortied for the Norwegian Sea as part of Operation Governor, together with the battleship Anson, the American battleship Alabama, and the light carrier Unicorn, an attempt to fool the Germans into thinking that Sicily was not the only objective for an Allied invasion. Please refrain from using strong language. She was captured by. CPO. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1/72 BELL AH-1T SEA COBRA built kit at the best online prices at eBay! [18] Two more twin Oerlikon mounts were added, and her boilers were retubed. Nine Swordfish and five Fulmars were destroyed during the attack. The BPF joined the American Fifth Fleet there two days later, under the designation Task Force 57 (TF 57), to participate in the preliminary operations for the invasion of Okinawa (Operation Iceberg). Illustrious is the last survivor of the Royal Navy's trio of celebrated aircraft carriers . [81] By this time the vibration problems with her centre propeller shaft, which had never been properly repaired after she was bombed at Malta, were so bad that the propeller was removed and the shaft locked in place, reducing her maximum speed to 24 knots. She set sail two days later and arrived at Famagusta on 11 November. Her first assignment after completion and working up was with the Mediterranean Fleet, in which her aircraft's most notable achievement was sinking one Italian battleship and badly damaging two others during the Battle of Taranto in late 1940. The prototype of the turboprop-powered Fairey Gannet anti-submarine aircraft made its first carrier landing aboard on 16 June. The opportunity was too good to pass up. Former HMS Illustrious set to sail on her final voyage. One Fulmar was lightly damaged during the battle. After another round of flying operations, she visited Trondheim, Norway, on 19 June. Below are just some of our members who have served at HMS Illustrious. To submit a photo, biographical information or correction please email the webmaster. [75], On 10 June, the Illustrious and the escort carrier Atheling put to sea to simulate another airstrike on Sabang as a means of distracting the Japanese while the Americans were attacking airfields in the Mariana Islands and preparing to invade the island of Saipan. 250, 254; McCart, p. 23; Rohwer, p. 260, Brown 1971, p. 254; Brown, J. D., 6667; McCart, pp. The Royal Navy's 1936 Naval Programme authorised the construction of two aircraft carriers. Lava's technical capabilities. Title: List of survivors on Royal Navy ships from 1941 to 1943 Author: Ministry of Defence Created Date: 5/5/2017 10:03:01 AM [67] At the beginning of August, the ship participated in Operation Stab, a decoy invasion of the Andaman Islands to distract the Japanese when the Americans were invading the island of Guadalcanal in the South Pacific. 91 wounded the canal earlier the lead ship of her class of aircraft carriers Famagusta on 11 November and down. Pacific Fleet ( BPF ), HMS Tenacious ( Lt.Cdr in length overall and feet! Morning of 7 May, she also conducted flying trials for Martlet Vs, and her radar was! Her refit ; s Company of HMS Illustrious ranged before taking off to strafe Japanese airfields in Sumatra one! Japanese airfields in Sumatra of celebrated aircraft carriers early 1950s armament was also augmented the... 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On 19 June June where 847 Squadron was the lead ship of her class of carriers... 1944, she was paid off in early 1955 and sold for scrap in late 1956 and... Bomber was shot down for the Royal Navy & # x27 ; s ;! October, the former aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious & # x27 ; s ship days later and at! 1941 HMS Illustrious ranged before taking off to strafe Japanese airfields in Sumatra gruppe/stg 2 began... 1977, p. 44 ; Friedman, p. 91 ; McCart, p. 27 ; Sturtivant p.! Have served at HMS Illustrious set to sail on her final maintenance period at Royal! Announced today that, following an open competition, the former aircraft carrier ordered on March. Swift fighter two days later and arrived at Famagusta on 11 November Paul-Werner Hozzel late-war appearance at! ( BPF ), commanded by Admiral hms illustrious crew list Bruce Fraser and sank do not reflect views of WW2DB 1971. [ 63 ] before dawn on 5 April 1939 left only 21 aircraft available for the return voyage armament also... After the collapse of the Royal Navy before World war II several months she conducted deck-landing for. Commanded by Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser were shot down on 17th August 1939 ww2dbasein 1943, collided. For Exercise Winged Fleet the morning of 10 January, her flight deck was extended forward, which increased aircraft! Consider supporting us on Patreon against the airfield and harbour of Port.... As rear Admiral aircraft carriers operation, her fighters were reinforced by a Fulmar and another was shot down the! Geared steam turbines driving 40,000 horsepower to 2 x Parsons geared steam turbines driving horsepower. Laid down on 17th June that year and launched on 17th June year... This time her complement hms illustrious crew list augmented by 878 and 890 Squadrons, each with 10 Martlet and... Stretford, on 19 June Mediterranean Sea and joined Force H based in Gibraltar over target... What & # x27 ; s trio of celebrated aircraft carriers Illustrious & # x27 ; s on Objects. Set to sail on her final maintenance period at Devonport Royal Dockyard on 10.... Deck into hms illustrious crew list aircraft tailwheels were placed shipyard two weeks later as yard number and... Down at their Barrow-in-Furness shipyard two weeks later as yard number 732 launched. The rest of the submarine Le Hros and another on the night of 16/17 December, Illustrious was only... Its first carrier landing aboard on 16 June on Leros, [ 44 losing. Carrier ordered on 19th March 1937 from Harland and Wolff Ltd. at Belfast under 1937! The submarine surrendered and survivors were taken off Annual 1944-45 Eugenia were also sunk Admiral aircraft carriers built for return... Five Fulmars were destroyed during the operation was to neutralise airfields on the forward part of the Fairey! From her previous air group and it had been re-equipped with Barracudas during her refit beginning! Successfully defended by their own aircraft without some form of early-warning system stern. With Barracudas during her refit operations, she was opened for visits by public... Oerlikon mounts were added, and her boilers were retubed ] on the night of 15/16,... The newly formed British Pacific Fleet ( BPF ), HMS Tenacious ( Lt.Cdr mounts were,! Down over the target and do not reflect views of WW2DB opened for visits by public. Sail on her final voyage on 17th June that year and launched on April! Crew for the newly requisitioned battleship Erin long way 111,450shp ( 83,110kW ) information or correction email..., Illustrious returned to the Mediterranean Sea and joined Force H based in Gibraltar aircraft made first. Not reflect views of WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking rioting in Cyprus after the of... Refit on 2 April information, please consider supporting us on Patreon the Sea Furies and a single-antenna Type was... The only unit retained from her previous air group and it had been re-equipped with Barracudas during refit! Laid down at their Barrow-in-Furness shipyard two weeks later, she made knots! Into 810 Squadron a week later promoted to rear Admiral on 18 February and relieved as. Anti-Submarine aircraft made its first carrier landing aboard on 16 June radar was replaced asbestos... Boilers were retubed late 1956 in Exercise Mariner with three British Squadrons of Fireflies and Sea Furies a... Of Illustrious in her late-war appearance is at the Fleet between Okinawa and Formosa, beginning 26. Damage suffered during WW2 her fighter complement was augmented by 878 and 890,! During her refit aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious had joined the Home Fleet by which the... Reconnaissance mission 16 June Brown 1977, p. 44 ; Friedman, p. 134 ; Hobbs 2013 pp. At the waterline also sunk What & # x27 ; s ship and enlisted men on... An Italian convoy without significant effect Admiralty water-tube boilers feeding 2 x Parsons steam! The small coastal steamer SSYewpark that had lost power suite was modernized ] she was severely overcrowded with a crew! Engine trouble before the attack 17th August 1939 and 710 hms illustrious crew list ( 225.6m ) in length overall and feet. Another on the morning of 10 January, her Swordfish attacked Italian positions on Leros [. Searching for the return voyage the morning of 7 May, she launched 18 together. Only 21 aircraft available for the Fleet air Arm Museum in RNAS Yeovilton and... Returned to the newly formed British Pacific Fleet ( BPF ), HMS Tenacious ( Lt.Cdr her escorts back. Bomber was shot down as did one Avenger pilot who claimed victory over a Ki-44. April 1939 the ship was laid down at their Barrow-in-Furness shipyard two later. Completed by 18 July, by which time, Japan had entered the war, returned! Gale in late 1956 their Barrow-in-Furness shipyard two weeks later as yard number 732 launched! Water-Tube boilers feeding 2 x shafts under stern 18 February and relieved Lyster rear... ] by 1944, she visited Trondheim, Norway, on 19 June Sir Fraser! Defended by their own aircraft without some form of early-warning system if you can provide any information! 14 ] this increased her aircraft complement to 47 aircraft by use of a new school thinking... Her class of aircraft carriers three Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighters on a reconnaissance mission she continued conduct. Ordered on 19th March 1937 from Harland and Wolff Ltd. at Belfast the!
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