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About "Barracuda". Combat use. |
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Deck torpedo-bomber of British naval aviation (Fleet Air Arm) Fairy
"Barracuda" has been very controversial machine. The very layout of his
angular evoked pilots and certain senior officers distrust, and weird
gear with broken with the letter "G" stands brought the problems in
operation. How to torpedo "Barracuda" itself is not shown - the power of
its engine Rolls Royce Merlin 30 (1,260 hp) and 32 (1640 hp) in versions
from I to III were not enough to ensure that the characteristics of a
full-fledged attack aircraft. Radius was also low, and attempts to
remedy this deficiency by external fuel tanks led to a reduction of the
combat load - the bombs and torpedoes.
However, despite these shortcomings, were built in 2572, "Barracuda" in
versions from I to III, and they made a notable contribution to the
history of hostilities in Europe and the Pacific as a base and
carrier-based aircraft fleet. "Horse" "Barracuda" was the dive-bombing,
where, thanks to an effective flap Youngman, who worked as an air brake,
was achieved by the successful combination of many components of
maneuver combat.
"Barracuda" and escorted by patrol boats, planted the British agents in
occupied France, were gathering intelligence on enemy ships and
submarines, be responsible for the mines from the air. Mining of
waterways and water bodies of the enemy during active combat operations
off the coast of Britain has been very effective in the war at sea.
Suffice it to say that over the period 1940-41. in mine, secretly and
promptly delivered to the British aircraft, disrupt and sunk 142 German
ship and a vessel (not counting the damage). Estimating these rather
unexpected results, the command of British aviation in the second half
of 1941 attracted to the formulation minutes three times more aircraft.
With unusual speed, and despite the honor of those or other uniforms was
a lack of cooperation aviation fleet (Fleet Air Arm) from the coast
(Coastal Command) and Bomber (Bomber Command) aircraft. However,
increased and losses among the directors of minefields - the opponents
have begun to pay attention to raid each other over the sea. I must say
that "Barracuda" used here is not a good life, after all, and duration
of flight, and particularly their capacity is poor. Just bombers were
fully occupied with their duties. However, after the deployment of
Lend-Lease more outdated types of British bombers - Blenheims, Beaufort,
Halifax and others - have been actively "sow" waters and fairways of the
enemy lethal cargo.
Directly in hostilities "Barracuda" was involved not only in Europe but
also on the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of war.
One of the most famous parts of the British naval aircraft that
participated in the Second World War, number 815, a dramatic story which is
interesting both in itself and in terms of tracking the military way
aircraft, "Barracuda." Was formed in Warsaw Down (Worthy Down) 15
October 1939 from the remnants of NAS 811 and 812 after the death in
September 1939, their base the aircraft carrier HMS (Her Magisty Ship -
HMS) "Courageous". Then the part was still armed with "Swordfish".
"Swordfish" NAS 815 escorted convoys, hunted for submarines Doenitz,
dropping mines, took part in the battle of Dunkirk in the Navy and Coast
Aviation. Then aboard the aircraft carrier "Illustrious" of
fighting in the West Indies and the Mediterranean basin. There are NAS
815 was bombed by the coastal base of the Italians, in particular, 11
November 1940 in conjunction with NAS 813, 819 and 824 dealt a powerful
blow to the base at Taranto. The results exceeded all expectations -
nearly half the Italian fleet was rendered inoperable. Battleship "Conte
de Cavour" was sunk, "Ciao Duillio" - washed ashore with severe
injuries, a "Littorio" hard to stay afloat, submerged almost forecastle.
Price of a downed aircraft managed to change the balance of power in
general, maritime theater!
In response, January 10, 1941 "Illustrious" was ill-fly-87 German
Junkers Fliegerkorps X, and with severe injuries arrived in Malta, where
the NAS 815 and 819 with him were withdrawn and consolidated in a single
NAS 815 at the airbase Hal Far. After this shabby "Swordfish"
distinguished successful torpedo attack on the cruiser "Pola"
prospecting before the Battle of Cape Matapan, where the forces of
Admiral Cunningham sank three Italian cruisers. Short time, NAS 815
managed to war on the aircraft Fairey "Albacore" in North Africa against
Rommel.
Among the typical tasks performed by Swordfish, albacore, and later,
"Barracuda" mi, a night light zone traffic escorted convoys. Dropped
from aircraft glowing parachute bombs (Flare bomb, or nautically
Snow-flake) created around a convoy of almost continuous zone of the
illuminated surface of the water, which helped the signalman escorts
detect breaker periscope or cutting the attacking submarine.
Barracuda Mk.II part received 1 October 1943. They fought to the NAS 815
in 1944, carrying out bombing targets in the Mediterranean coastal area
first, and then the Indian Ocean, where the part arrived on board the
escort carrier Begum, commanded by Commander RG Lawson. Here from the
NAS 815 and 817 were on the American model formed a tactical union 12
TBR Wing (Tactical bombardment gauge-intelligence wing), which was based
on the aircraft carrier "Indomitable" from July 25, 1944
In tropical climates, "Barracuda" has been previously unknown feature -
almost 30 percent decreased range due to the influence of the complex
atmospheric conditions on the motor and (to a lesser extent) on the
aerodynamics of the aircraft. However, deliveries from overseas have been associated with great
difficulties and delays because of what the NAS 815 in the end again,
"saddled" Barracuda "and flew them to the disbandment of 15 January 1946
with the original record length of military service.
However, December 1, 1947 NAS 815 has been restored in the Fleet Air Arm
of the former NAS 744 and used for testing anti-submarine warfare
tactics. On his arms were "Barracuda" MkIII until May 1953, which was a
record of longevity in the UK.
History NAS 815 is very clearly shows the path of military Barracudas
and antisubmarine aircraft in general. "Barracuda" has shown himself
as good, but a secondary plane, especially in the second half
of World War II. And the entire naval aviation Britain, once the
"Mistress of the Seas", in the vast oceanic theaters played a modest
role. Her actions did not go to any comparison with the scope of
offshore operations of U.S. and Japanese navies. Suffice it to say that
in the Indian Ocean since 1943, there were only five British aircraft
carriers - "Illustrious", "Victorious", "Indefatigable", "Indomitable"
and "Formidable" from 628 planes on board, while the United States in
the same year only introduced a new aircraft carrier commissioned in
1921 in three different classes!
The most famous combat operations involving the Barracudas began to
attack the German battleship Tirpitz in 1944, this ship since the war
began, along with other flagships of the fleet Reich - "Bismarck",
"Admiral Scheer, Admiral Hipper", "Lutzow", "Prince Eugen-literally
terrorized their raids and convoys of militant groups allied navies in
the Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. One unconfirmed reports about the
appearance of Tirpitz in the passage of the convoy PQ-17 was enough to
make a panic decision to dissolve the convoy, which led to his death.
Therefore, the British fleet hunted almost continuously (and quite
successfully) for the German battleship and heavy cruisers. Widely used
for this aviation inspired epic destruction of the battleship
"Bismarck", which "nailed" to a place two torpedoes Swordfish, after
which the British ships disposed of the lost speed giant. The first air
strike on the battleship Tirpitz was struck on Jan. 28, 1942 Nine
Halifax dropped its parked in Aas Fjord 45 tons of bombs without a
single hit. On the night of 29 to 30 January seven Stirling repeated
raid, and again to no avail. In the gorge fjord to detect and hit a
single ship with a classic high-altitude bombing was extremely
difficult.
In March, when approaching the base in the West fjords Tirpitz was
discovered and attacked by albacore from the aircraft carrier
"Victorious". Again failure! Then the attacks have resumed heavy
bombers. March 30 raid was attended for the past 33 Halifax, 27 April -
54 Halifax and Lancaster. Again, there was not a single hit.
After such a disappointing failure of the active air operations against
the Tirpitz resumed only in April 1944 At this time, following the
example of the American Navy was formed a special connection to carrier
battle of the five aircraft carriers ("Victorious", "Empreor",
"Searcher", "Pursuer", " Fencer "), supported by two battleships, four
cruisers and other naval forces. Some of the names of the carriers which
were worth! Winner, Emperor, Searcher, a persecutor, and fencer. Not
enough unless the Shredder. Morning of April 4, 1944 at a distance of
about 120 miles from the base of Tirpitz in Alten Fjord aircraft carrier
"Victorious" has released the first wave of planes - 21 "Barracuda",
which covered the Wildcat fighters and Hellket with escort aircraft
carriers. An hour later, took off the second wave: 21 "Barracuda" and 40
Wildcat, Hellketov and Corsairs. At this time the first wave of planes
had already struck bomb from a height of 1500 meters. In the Tirpitz
were three bombs caliber, and several 250-kilogram. The second wave of
bombing from 3000 feet. As a result, Alten Fjord was dropped over 100
bombs weighing about 40 tons. Tirpitz received four direct hits by bombs
and large-10 - 250 kg bombs. Received damage brought the battleship out
of action for several months. To pursue the case prevented the bad
weather to wait on the spot strike force did not dare. Loss shock bomber
squadron was 3 and 1 fighter. But it should
be noted that four aircraft were shot down out of one hundred
twenty-attack - a rather modest figure, especially when you consider
that all the bombers were flying at one fixed point, and even in two
waves at intervals of an hour!
July 17, 1944 at standing in repairing Tirpitz had been thrown 40
Barracudas and 48 fighters, but the fog and mist prevented discover the
purpose and led to the deaths of two planes in the rocks. August 22,
1931 Barracuda and 67 fighter-bombers bombed twice unsuccessfully Alten-fjord
and lost three aircraft in combat with German fighters. 24 and 29 August
raids Barracudas squad of 59 and 85 fighters led only to a single hit of
250-pound bombs and a loss of 8 aircraft. Here, it seems, air defense
fjord was inadequate. Perhaps, rather it would be to admit that "Tirpitz"
was just too tough aircraft grade "Barracuda."
It seems that this conclusion in the end it was the British military
authorities after five more attempts to attack the Alten Fjord by the
carrier battle groups. After years of desperate attack on "Tirpitz"
British commanders had planned a massive operation is quite strategic.
The Soviet Union provided an air base near Murmansk berry, which flew
for the strike "from behind" 38 strategic bombers Lancaster from 9 and
617 Squadrons RAF from bases in Scotland. In the British crews were
included Soviet leaders, navigators, to provide an accurate conclusion
armada of bombers to the target. In the berry were delivered bombs
to caliber 5450 kg "Tallboy" American production.
September 15 they were dropped on "Tirpitz" from a great height. Hit was
recorded just one, but it was enough. German High Command dropped plans
to repair. The battleship was towed on pontoons in the area of Tromsø
and put ashore at the mouth of the fjord for use as a coastal battery.
But too great a hatred of the British even to the defeated giant.
October 29 it was bombed again, and on November 12 raid group of 31
Lancaster finished with two straight hits and four Tallboy bombs - near
side "Tirpitz". Explosions terrifying forces overthrew the battleship.
After these dramatic events, "Barracuda" came the end of the war in the
familiar role aircraft to perform secondary tasks. And at the end of the
war on the European and Pacific theaters of war British aircraft fleet
finally ceased in need of "Barracuda" x even last modified - Mk.V - as
in an airplane the first line. The best deck torpedo bomber, which
fought the British airmen, was almost unanimously recognized as the
American aircraft Grumman Avenger. Therefore the construction of
"Barracuda" MkV went to the training part - 744, 750 and 753 squadrons,
in which the last "five" came the up to 1950
In the Indian Ocean on "Barracuda" x MkII, MkIII in the unified armed
forces of the British Crown and fought the Dutch part - Squadron 860,
which after the war was in full force was transferred into the Royal
Netherlands Navy (Royal Naval Air Netherlands), together with the
aircraft. In 1946 he began a gradual modernization of the aircraft on
the Fairey Firefly.
Information found on the use of Barracudas after the war
in Africa. Official British sources do not indicate anywhere on
shipments to other countries, but the memories remain, and even 2-3
photos of aircraft, all painted black. Eyewitnesses said that in 1958 in
Algeria from Persan Beaumont French used two "Barracuda" in black
lettering. They flew and flew from a private airfield for the night or
early morning, so that nobody could even get close to their crews.
Argued, however, with respect to aircraft maintenance technology spotted
stood out from under the black paint is clearly hastily painted British
markings. It is hard to believe that is so carefully concealed in a
turbulent time. Removal of jewelry? The search for secret documents, for
example, who went through the world of Hitler's archives? More dirty
work of many different intelligence agencies, "mop-up tails after the
war? Who knows, maybe someday the time will remove and cover these
events enigma.
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