1845 Naval Air Squadron

1845 Naval Air Squadron formed at USNAS Brunswick on June 1st 1944, under the command of Lt. Cdr (A) D.G. Parker R.N.V.R. Her initial equipment was 18 Corsair Mk. III aircraft.

Photo via John Lawson

The squadron took passage to RNAS Eglinton, Northern Ireland on board HMS Puncher, leaving the US on August 30th 1944.

Whilst at Eglinton the squadron re-equipped with 24 Corsair Mk. IVs before embarking on HMS Slinger on December 19th 1944 for passage to Australia.

Photo via John Lawson

1845 disembarked to RNAS Schofields, New South Wales upon Slinger's arrival off Sydney on February 25th 1945. The squadron stayed ashore until re-embarking in Slinger for operations with the British Pacific Fleet on March 11th.

Due to operational demands, 1845 was disbanded whist still aboard Slinger on April 5th; her aircraft and aircrew were dispersed to HM Ships Formidable and Victorious to provide replacements for squadrons which had suffered losses in the front line.

1845 Reforms

Personnel for 1845 squadron began assembling from early May, and aircraft were issued on May 15th at TAMY 1 (Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard), Archerfield (Brisbane, Queensland). 1845 officially reformed on June 1st 1945 as a single seat fighter squadron, equipped with 24 Corsair IVs.

The squadron was to move to the newly established MONAB 6 (Mobile Naval Air Base) at Maryborough (Queensland) no the June 23rd. Lt. Cdr (A) R.J.H. Grose RNVR was appointed as the squadron’s commanding Officer on June 24th.

On July 13th 1845 moved to MONAB 1 Nowra (New South Wales) where it was to form a part of Number 3 Carrier Air Group (3 C.A.C.)

1845 squadron aircrew at RNAS Nowra, 1945      Photo cutesy Douglas Feenan

Back L-R: Lt. Wright, Sub Lt. Barron, Sub Lt. Knight, Sub Lt. Adams, Lt. Cdr Grose (CO), Sub Lt. Wiley, Sub Lt. Keane, Sub Lt. Feenan, Sub Lt. Niolane, Sub Lt. Keyworth, Lt. Knox
Front L-R: Sub Lt. Joyce, Sub Lt. Ford, Sub Lt. Goldsack, Lt. Fotheringham, Sub Lt. Allen, Sub Lt. Isitt, Sub Lt.Bond, Sub Lt. Coles.

3 C.A.G formed on August 2nd 1945 as a reserve Air Group, and comprised of 854 (Avenger), 1843, and 1845 (Corsair) squadrons. With the surrender of Japan following so soon after its formation the Air Group was never called upon to undertake offensive operations, but continued to train and work up until Mid October.

On October 19th 1845 squadron’s aircraft were delivered to MONAB 2, Bankstown (Sydney) and the squadron and No. 3 C.A.G. officially disbanded on the 24th. No.s 854 & 1843 & 1845 squadron personnel embarked in the troop ship S.S. Stratheden for passage to UK, all aircraft were retained at Nowra.

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