A History of HMS STALKER

Operation AVALANCHE: D+1

During the night of the 9th/10th September the Force preceded clear of the operational area, returning on the morning of the 10th, when flying resumed at 06:15. STALKER now short by three aircraft and was to lose another due to low wind speed over deck; MB250 of 880 Sqn flown by Sub-Lt S. N. Harris RNVR bounced over all the arrester wires and entered the barrier. Two aircraft from STALKER had to land on UNICORN  at 14:40, presumably because foul deck due to the crash of MB250. They re-joined STALKER later that afternoon, on at 15:15, the other at 15:35.

 

Operation AVALANCHE: D+2

Flying resumed at 06:15 on the 11th and operations continued throughout the day to the last range at 18:31. Two more aircraft were put out of commission as a result of landing accidents; MA999 of 880 Sqn had its arrester hook pulled out on landing and entered the barrier, the pilot Lt W. H. Martyn, RNVR was OK. The second crash was to prove fatal, Sub-Lt G. C. Mercer RNVR of 833 Sqn was killed when LR631 bounced over all the crash barriers and disappeared over the bow into the sea.

The attrition rate was very high, all the CVEs were reporting losses and unserviceable airframes beyond local repair. Force ‘V’ required additional aircraft to be transferred from the Fleet Carriers of Force ‘H’ in order to continue operations at this intensity. Force ‘H’ was to withdraw to Malta later on the i1th, being nearly out of aircraft itself by this time but 8 Seafires and 8 Martlets began landing on UNICORN at 19:15 as Force ‘H’ departed. The Martlets were to replace Seafires on the high cover CAP sorties so releasing more Seafires for the low patrols over the beachhead.

 

Operation AVALANCHE: D+3

At 06:15 on the 12th, the first aircraft were flown off. Considerably fewer sorties were flown during the fourth day of operations; Martlets for UNICORN provided CAP over the Force while Seafires continued both high and low cover over the Beachhead. It had been envisaged that one or more enemy airfields would be in allied hands by the end of the first day and so shore based air cover would take over, this was not the case; it was not until the third day that the airfield at Paestum was under Allied control that this became possible. At 09:45 all Seafire cover sorties were stopped and preparations began to disembark aircraft to operate ashore. At 13:45 twenty-six serviceable Seafires put ashore to operate at Paestum; attrition due to loss and landing accidents resulted in ATTACKER sullying 4, BATTLER 5, HUNTER 5, and STALKER only 2, UNICORN supplied 10. At approximately 18:30 the Force left the operational area and proceeded to Palermo, arriving at 20:00. At 06:00 on the following morning the Force sailed for Bizerta, arriving there at 19:00.

During the period 9thth and 12th of September the combined carriers of Force ‘H’ and ‘V’ flew713 sorties, 516 of these were by Seafires. Enemy aircraft were only engaged in combat on three occasions, all by Seafires, resulting in only one FW190 being damaged. In total 42 aircraft were lost: 32 suffered catastrophic deck landings resulting in aircraft being written off, another 4 were lost to engine failure and 6 lost to accidental causes while airborne. A further 24 Seafires suffered fuselage wrinkling on landing and 17 more undercarriage damage, all of which was beyond the capabilities of the Air Engineering Departments to repair on board either because of the specialist skills needed or a lack of spares on the ships. This equated to one aircraft becoming lost or seriously damaged every 9 sorties.

Out of a total strength of 181 naval fighter aircraft deployed for AVALANCHE 90 were lost or written off – 41 damaged beyond local repair but salvageable. None were lost to enemy action. STALKER lost 4 aircraft with one pilot killed and one taken prisoner, 14 aircraft remained onboard damaged beyond local repair.

 

 

The carriers were back on station by the 16th and the detached aircraft were recovered. STALKER’s 880 Sqn was to lose another aircraft while in the operational area; Sub Lt. D. Cameron RNZNVR (in an unidentified Seafire) failed to return form an operational sortie having been shot down. He was captured by a German Panzer division and held for ten days but managed to escape and return to Allied lines safely. On the 17th a reorganisation of resources was undertaken which resulted in what remained of 807 and 808 squadrons transferred from BATTLER to HUNTER, 834 now transferred to BATTLER.

Force 'V' was to disband on September 20th; the four CVEs proceeded to Gibraltar, arriving there on the 24th. ATTACKER, HUNTER and STALKER to await a convoy to the UK to refit and allow their squadrons the opportunity to receive replacement aircraft and aircrews. BATTLER however had been assigned to the Eastern Fleet for duties as a trade protection carrier and arrived at Gibraltar to resupply and for 834 Sqn to regroup to its full strength of 9 Swordfish & 6 Seafire L.IIc; she joined the Fast Convoy K.M.F. 24 off Gibraltar on September 22nd for passage to Port Said and on to Bombay.

 

Conversion to an Assault Carrier: October - December 1943

STALKER next proceeded to Liverpool and entered commercial dockyard on the 11th to undergo further conversion work to complete her as an assault carrier. This specialist CVE would provide air cover until shore-based air strips became operational; Operation AVALANCHE was the first time such a strategy was tried and as a result ATTACKER, HUNTER and STALKER were nominated for conversion to the roles. The modifications involved many new pieces of equipment being installed; a new type 277 radar, a new telephone system consisting of over 100 telephones, a new Briefing Room and `Army Plot' Room, cabins added around the 'Aircraft Direction Room,' and numerous other additions such as extra W/T and R/T sets and still further improvements to the bridge. Another important modification was an anti-aircraft armament upgrade; all existing single Oerlikon mounts on the Gallery Deck and foc'sle deck, were to be changed for fourteen powered twin mountings.

While still in dockyard hands a boiler explosion occurred at 05:30 on the morning of November 13th, it caused damage to the boiler casing but caused no casualties. The additional repairs required mayu have delayed her departure date.

 

Working up with 809 and 897 Squadrons January – February 1944

On completion of post refit trials took passage from Liverpool to Clyde on December 15th and was deployed in NW Approaches for work-up and flying exercises based at Belfast. 809 and 897 Seafire squadrons embarked from RNAS Burscough Dec 29th 1943 each equipped with 10 Seafire L.IIc The ship’s work up and flying training was carried out in the Clyde training areas and lasted for three weeks; on completion both squadrons were flown ashore to RNAS Dale on February 18t h. This period was a successful one for the squadron work ups. There were only two flying incidents, all involving 809 squadron aircraft. Sub-Lt A. l. Houston RNVR entered the barrier in LR694 on January 12th, and Sub-Lt A. O. Fry RNVR had a lucky escape when his aircraft, NM975 fell into the sea on landing on the 26th, he was rescued safely. The ship then took passage to the Thames for further refit and conversion work arranged at ca commercial shipyard in Woolwich docks. Her sister CVE SLINGER was also present undergoing major repairs after hitting a mine on February 6th and during this time she was partly cannibalised to complete the refits of several of her sister CVEs including STALKER which received her forward lift.

Nearing the end of her time in dockyard hands STALKER was allocated with ATTACKER and HUNTER to join Home Fleet at Scapa Flow for deployment in Operation HOOPS planned for May 7th – 9th. Refit work completed on April 28th and she sailed on passage to Belfast, arriving there on May 1st. the following day a much larger 809 squadron re-embarked from RAF Long Kesh N.I. with 20 Seafire L.IIc. There was one flying accident during the squadron embarkation, Sub-Lt R. G. W. Barker RNVR made a heavy landing in LR737 and the starboard undercarriage leg collapsed.

STALKER sailed from Belfast for Scapa on May 4th arriving on the 5th to join ATTACKER and HUNTER. However tasking allocations were changed before the operation was launched; EMPEROR, SEARCHER and STRIKER were to participate instead of the three assault carriers which departed from Scapa on the 7th and proceeded in company to Belfast. The three ships arrived at Belfast on the 8th.
 

 

Return to the Mediterranean May 1944

The three Assault Carriers had been reallocated to the Mediterranean Fleet and preparations began to store ship and embark reserves aircraft. On May 10th replacement Seafires were hoisted aboard from tenders when complete there were 30 Seafires aboard, 20 were on squadron strength with 10 reserves.

STALKER in company with ATTACKER and HUNTER sailed on May 14th as additional escort for convoy KMS.51, which departed from Liverpool the day before, for passage to re-join the forces in the Mediterranean. The carriers detached from the convoy at latitude 43N, on the 19th, to proceed to other assigned support duties. On reaching Gibraltar on May 25th a detachment of 7 Seafires was put ashore to RN Air Section North Front.

The ship was to spend the next few months escorting convoys while in the western Mediterranean and she arrived at Algiers harbour, Algeria on June 3rd. Her squadron was now split between the ship and various airfields engaged on Army co-operation flying with units in North Africa and Italy; the first detachment flew off on June 5th, 8 aircraft to operate from Blida, Algiers rejoicing the ship on the 21st. This was followed by detachments to Orvieto (12 aircraft) and Fabria (7 aircraft) on June 25th, ending on July 4th and 5th respectively. These weariedly followed by 8 aircraft to Foiano and 4 to Capodichino on July 4th and 7 to Perugia on the 5th, all ending on July 16th one final detachment of 12 aircraft went to Blida on the 16th before moving to North Front on the 17th. The squadron re-embarked in STALKER on July n21st with the exception of 2 aircraft detached to operate from Perugia until August 5th.She put to sea on June 25th to join the escort for convoy KNF.32 on passage, detaching on the 28th.
 

Allocated for participation in Operation DRAGOON the invasion of Southern France: August 19444

STALKER escorted by the USS GLEAVES departed Algiers on the morning of July 22nd on passage to Malta, at 11:17 they rendezvoused with HUNTER and the US CVE TULAGI escorted by US Destroyers HAINES, HUGHES, and TATUM, also on passage to Malta having departed Mers-el-Kebir on the evening of July 21st. The group anchored at Marsa Sorrocco anchorage, Malta on the 25th.

STALKER and HUNTER now joined Carrier Force TF88.2 for Operation DRAGOON; they were joined by a second US CVE, the USS KAZAN BAY and US Destroyers BUTLER, GHERARDI, HERNDON, and SHURBRICK to complete TG 88.2. The whole force sailed for Alexandria on the 26th, exercising on passage, arriving there ate on the 28th.

 

 

TG 88.2 sailed again on August 1st, to return to Malta. On the morning of the 3rd the ships of TG 88.1 were sighted. The Cruiser HMS COLOMBO joined the group at 08:00 and the CVE SEARCHER at noon. The force entered Valletta harbour at 15:35.

 

Task Force 88 and Operation DRAGOON

The Carrier Force, TF 88, comprised of the seven carriers of Rear Admiral Troubridge’s Escort Carrier Squadron and two U.S. CVEs, divided into two Task Groups; TG 88.1 - Cruisers ROYALIST (Rear Admiral Troubridge, CTF 88 and CTG 88.1) and AA Cruiser DELHI, CVEs ATTACKER (879 squadron with 28 Seafire), EMPEROR (800 squadron with 23 Hellcat), KHEDIVE (899 squadron with 26 Seafire), PURSUER (881 squadron with 24 Wildcat), SEARCHER (882 squadron with 28 Wildcat), with 7 destroyers. TG 88.2 comprised of the CVEs USS TULAGI (Rear Admiral Durgin USN, CTG 88.2, VOF-1 - 24 Hellcat), USS KAZAN BAY (VF-74 - 24 Hellcat), HUNTER (807 squadron with 24 Seafire, plus 1 Swordfish) and STALKER (809 squadron with 23 Seafire), AA Cruisers CALEDON and COLOMBO, 6 US destroyers.

The ships of TG 88.1 sailed from Malta at 18:00 on August 12th to proceed to the flying off position, they were followed by TG 88.2 at 18:30. Operation DRAGOON commenced in the early hours of August 15th, TF 88 flying operations commenced at 06:00, the last aircraft landed on at 21:05. Only daylight flying operations were carried out.

The assault area, centred on St Tropez, extended some 30 miles along the Cote d'Azur. It was divided into four sectors, code named (from east to west) Camel, Delta, Alpha and Sitka. The assault troops were formed of three American divisions of the VI Corps, reinforced by the French 1st Armoured Division. The 3rd Infantry Division landed on the left at Alpha Beach (Cavalaire-sur-Mer), the 45th Infantry Division landed in the centre at Delta Beach (Saint-Tropez), and the 36th Infantry Division landed on the right at Camel Beach (Saint-Raphaël). A fourth Force, the First Special Service Force, a joint U.S.-Canadian special forces unit was landed on the offshore islands for ‘Operation Sitka’ to neutralise the Hyères Islands, (Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Bagaud, and Levant). By the end of the first day, 60,150 troops and 6,737 vehicles had been put ashore, including the first French armoured contingent.

On ‘D’ Day STALKER and TG88.2 were at the flying off position at 05:30 and 809 squadron had 23 serviceable aircraft that could be tasked with any of six mission types: Fighter Bomber (F/B), Straffing, Tactical Reconnaissance (TacR), Force Cover, Beach Cover, and Bombardment Spotting. There were 27 pilots and 23 Seafires on board and limited reserves aircraft held ashore at Casabianda airfield in Corsica.

A pre-planned flying programme had been promulgated covering the first 5 days of operations, ‘D’ to ‘D’ + 4. The prepared flying programme for D-Day called for 28 sorties; 16 Bombardment Spotting in DELTA sector, 36 Low Force Cover. This however was not fixed, calls for strikes on enemy positions or additional spotting sorties could be passed to the ship throughout the day.

The first launch was at 05:56 when two aircraft took off for a Bombardment spotting mission with the French cruiser MONTCALM, low cloud however prevent any view of the fall of shot and the mission was aborted. Owing to the very light wind of 18 knots aircraft had to utilise the full length of deck for the take-off run. Another consequence of the low wind was mist and haze, the coast was not visible and only the smoke of explosions was seen from the ship. Two other spotting missions were flown in support the USS TEXAS and second shoot with the MONTCALM; on both occasions the pilots received their briefings in the air from the Group Area Support Commander but were not successful due to poor communications and the ships ignoring the targets relayed by the pilots. Flying operations ceased for the day at 21.05 and TF 88.2 withdrew southward for the night.

During the day the squadron actually flew a total of 45 sorties; 35 Low Force Cover and 10 Bombardment Spotting in DELTA sector. There was no call for any TacR missions although it had been expected that this would form one of the principal functions of the Seafires in the early stages of the operation.

809 Sqn lost one aircraft, Seafire MB280 flown by Sub-Lt G. C. Morris, RNVR ditched, he was rescued by a destroyer after 3 hours in his dingy. Three others were damaged in landing accidents but were repairable; Sub-Lt A. O. Fry, RNVR bounced landing in NF658 and entered the barrier, Sub-Lt J. O. Jerromes, RNVR tipped NN141 on its prop after landing, and the squadron C.O., Lt. Cdr H. D. B. Eaden, RNVR landed NN119 (FBL.III) and twisted the arrestor hook damaging the snap gear.

 

On D+1 809 squadron had 19 serviceable aircraft available; a pair of TacR and 4 F/B Seafires were ranged at 06:00, on call. The first launch of the day was at 10:41 when the 4 on call F/B Seafires were sent on a special bombing mission. The first Low Force Cover serial of 4 aircraft launched at 12:15 followed by 3 more serials throughout the afternoon each lasting for approximately 1½ hours. At 19:00 a final Armed Recon Serial of 8 Seafires armed with 250 lb bombs was lunched, the last aircraft landed on at 20:05. On completion of flying operations TF 88.2 withdrew southward for the night.

The prepared flying programme for D+1 called for 28 sorties; 12 Force Cover, 4 Bombardment Spotting in DELTA sector, 6 Beach Cover. The squadron actually flew a total of 28 sorties; 12 Force Cover and 16 TacR (8 carrying 500 lb bombs & 8 carrying 250 lb bombs.) There was only one landing accident; Seafire NF665 flown by Sub-Lt G. H. Brittain, RNVR hit its tail on the rounddown and broke the aircraft’s back.

 

On D+2 809 squadron had 20 serviceable aircraft available on returning to the operational area; the planned flying programme was the same as for the day before. A pair of TacR and 4 F/B Seafires were ranged at 06:00, on call. F/B and TacR missions were flown as requested throughout the day.

The planned flying programme called for 28 sorties; 12 Force Cover, 4 Bombardment Spotting in DELTA sector, and 16 Beach Cover. The squadron actually flew a total of 25 sorties; 12 Force Cover and 13 F/B & TacR (6 Beach Cover and 7 carrying 500 lb bombs.) On completion of flying operations TF 88.2 withdrew southward for the night.

 

On D+3 809 squadron had 19 serviceable aircraft available on returning to the operational area; the flying programme was the same as for the day before. 5 F/B Seafires with 500 lb bombs were ranged at 06:00, on call. The first launch of the say was at 14:00 when 8 aircraft were flown off for Beach Cover.

The flying programme called for 22 sorties; 12 Force Cover, 4 Bombardment Spotting in DELTA sector, 6 Beach Cover. The squadron actually flew a total of 19 sorties; 3 Force Cover, 8 Beach Cover and 8 TacR. One aircraft was badly damaged while attacking some barges during a Beach Cover sortie, NF657 flown by Sub-Lt D. E. James. RNVR sustained a 40mm hit on the starboard wing but managed to return to the ship. On landing his starboard oleo collapsed damaging the starboard wing and the prop.

 

On D+4 809 squadron had 19 serviceable aircraft available on returning to the operational area. The pre-planned flying programme was the same as for the day before but tin reality this was to be STALKER’s busiest day so far; HUNTER’s 907 Sqn could only supply 8 out of 24 Seafires for the day’s operations so 809 took up some of the slack. The first launch of the day was 4 TacR aircraft at 06:22. The last aircraft landed on at 19:50. By the end of the day 809 squadron had flown a total of 40 sorties; 20 TacR, 12 F/B (8 with 250 lb and 4 with 500 lb bombs), and 8 Force cover. One aircraft was damaged during a deck landing; NF607 flown by Sub-Lt G. C. Morris, RNVR suffered a twisted arrestor hook and frame.

The two Task Groups of Force 88 had operated together for the first five days of the operation, but separated late on D +4, the 19th; ATTACKER,  EMPEROR, PURSUER , and SEARCHER withdrew to Maddalena, Sardinia for a 24 hours replenishment and rest period while KHEDIVE  and the Destroyer TYRIAN transferred to TG 88.2 to bolster the force.

 

On D+5 809 squadron had 16 serviceable aircraft available on returning to the operational area; the weather and wind conditions had improved and the emphasis shifted to armed reconnaissance and Bombardment Spotting missions. STALKER launched her first 4 aircraft for Low Force Cover at 06:30 and to Spotter aircraft were ranged on deck on call. The first spotting sortie took off at 09:00 but without details of the target or bombarding ship having been received.

HUNTER’s 807 Sqn mounted a photo recon mission and a vertical line overlap series at 12,000 feet over Marseilles harbour was taken to establish information on enemy shipping, the results showed the fact that up to this moment no visible demolition by the Germans had taken place in the port.

At 08:15 two deck crashes caused concern for recovering aircraft aloft; on STALKER Sub-Lt H. L. Aspinall, RNZNVR was the first of 4-returning aircraft but floated into the barrier in Seafire LR707 putting the deck out of action, at almost the same time a far more serious crash occurred on-board HUNTER . During a dawn bombing mission an 807 Seafire, MB314 had suffered flack damage while attacking targets ashore and was unable to lower its flaps for landiHUNTERng. The pilot Lt. E. V. Speakman, RNVR attempted to make a normal approach to land on but was seen to fall unconscious just before touching down, instead of cutting the throttle to land his slump forward pushed the throttle fully open. The aircraft partially rose from the deck and flew through all the barriers, narrowly missing the island and went over the starboard bow. The crash brought down the HF/DF nest and caused the death of the pilot and five ratings.

During the day 809 squadron flew a total of 21 sorties; 4 TacR carrying 250 lb bombs, 9 Bombardment Spotting, and 8 Force cover. The last aircraft was recovered at 18:20. KHEDIVE  and TYRIAN detached from TG88.2 at 22:00 and sailed for Maddalena for replenishment.

 

On D+6 809 squadron had 15 serviceable aircraft available. TG88.1 had arrived back on station and TG88 flying operations began at 06:30. By this time, the seventh day of operations for TG88.2, the serviceability of British aircraft began to suffer; the Seafire being a folding wing aircraft made the servicing of their guns almost impossible due to the pace of operations, maintenance required the aircraft to be on deck and wings in flight position for his procedure. The result was a marked increase in guns jamming on target.

The first launch was at 06:30 when 4 TacR aircraft armed with 500 lb bombs took off for a dawn strike; this was not against a well-defined target and was not very successful. 809 were tasked with straffing for the first-time during D +6. During the day 809 squadron flew a total of 46 sorties; 22 TacR and Straffing, 12 TacR with 500 lb and 12 Force cover.

There were two minor landing incidents, the bomb carrier fell off MA999 flown by Sub-Lt R. D. Wood, RNVR causing prop damage, and NN352 flown by Sub-Lt G. H. Brittain tipped onto the prop on braking.

On completion of the day’s flying TG88.2 withdrew and proceeded overnight to Maddalena, Sardinia for a 24 hours replenishment and rest period. During the seven days of operation 809 squadron completed a total of 224 sorties: 19 Bombardment Spotting, 14 Beach Cover, 90 Low Force Cover, 51 TacR with bombs (31 with 500 lb and 20 with 250 lb); 50 TacR with straffing. These sorties were undertaken by 21 of the 27 pilots on board, 6 were deemed as not sufficiently trained and did not undertake operational sorties. The one pilot that ditched had been transferred to Maddalena in ROYALIST.

 

D+ 7 rest day the ships of TG88.2 arrived at Maddalena at 08:00 on the 22nd and the carriers anchored in Arcachon Bay. The pilots had a day’s rest but most of the ship's company were busy on maintenance work, embarking ammunition, petrol, stores, etc. Bombs were not available at Maddalena and the American Carriers were desperately seeking additional stocks. It was decided that HUNTER and STALKER would transfer their remaining 250 & 500 lb bombs to the USS TULAGI and USS KAZAN BAY; their Hellcats were employed against more substantial military targets and often beyond the range of the Seafires so their need was greatest. With some simple modification the Hellcats could successfully use these bombs.

During the visit to Maddalena three of 809 squadron’s Seafires were put ashore by lighter, being category Y and too labour intensive to repair on board. Two experienced pilots, and Sub-Lt James who had been landed from ROYALIST were despatched to Casabianda, Corsica to retrieve 3 replacement Seafires.

 

D+8 rest day TG88.2 sailed from Maddalena at 11:00 for Propriano, Corsica in the hope of finding US ships that could help with the shortage of bombs. They arrived in Propriano Bay at 14:45 but found no addition ordnance. HUNTER and STALKER managed to continue replenishing their air stores which had been hastily embarked in several Destroyers for later transfer. The Force weighed anchor at 18:00 and set course for the operational area.

On D+9 TG88.2 arrived back on station at 06:30 on August 24th having relieved TG88.1 which had withdrawn to Maddalena overnight. 809 squadron had 18 serviceable aircraft available. The first launch was 7 TacR Seafires at 06:40. The rest of the day’s flying was for Bombardment spotting and Low Cover sorties. The first spotter sorties launched at 07:30 to work with the USS QUINCEY. The Bombardment was again problematic, pilots reported that the Cruisers were not firing on the indicated targets; QUINCEY eventually open fire at 18:00 scoring a direct hit. The last sortie landed on at 20:31.

One pilot did not return from the morning TacR mission, at 07:53 Sub-Lt A. R. Rawbone, RNVR in Seafire MA999 made a forced landing northwest of Nimes, he was seen running towards a farmhouse and was later reported as being in the hands of the Maquis (French Resistance).

During the day 809 squadron flew a total of 37 sorties; 7 TacR, 5 Straffing, 20 Bombardment Spotting, and 4 Force cover. There were two deck landing incidents and one flight deck injury during the day: Sub-Lt Fry entered the barrier in NM920 and Sub-Lt Jerromes did the same in NN122. During one of the days landings an arrest or wire broke and hit the DCLO (Deck Landing Control Officer) who was taken to sick bay, his injuries were severe enough that the deputy DCLO had to take over his duties.

 

On D+10 809 squadron had 17 serviceable aircraft available. The first launch was at 06:44 when 4 TacR Seafires took off to attack enemy vehicles near Nimes. On returning from this mission Sub-Lt G. J. T. Hoore, RNZNVR discovered that his prop had been hit by 2 .303 rounds. At 11:45 STALKER received a request from the Army Liaison Officer for 8 F/B or Staffers to launch at 12:05 – too short a notice to arrange bombers but staffers were promised for 12:30. At 12:15 the forward lift broke down, in the down position and all flying was cancelled until the electrical fault was corrected at 17:15. Five minutes after the breakdown two, unannounced, replacement Seafires arrived over the ship from the airstrip at St. Tropez, these were landed on HUNTER  and joined STALKER at 17:30 once repairs were completed. An additional serial was requested for 18:00 when 8 fighters launched for a straffing mission, the last aircraft landed on at 19:48.

During the day 809 squadron flew a total of 18 sorties; 12 Straffing, 2 Bombardment Spotting, and 4 Force cover. There was one barrier crash, MB122 flown by Sub-Lt R. G. W. Barker, RNVR hit the barrier with its prop.

 

On D+11 809 squadron had 18 serviceable aircraft available. The first launch was at 06:44 when 4 TacR Seafires took off. At 15:20 a special straffing strike launched at the request of the Army Liaison Officer to attack enemy vehicles near Montpelier in the Rhone Valley. During this mission Lt. C. E. H. Jefferson, RNVR was killed when his aircraft was hit by flak making a straffing run and crashed at Montelimar.

STALKER’s flying completed at 20:05 when the last Low Cover sortie landed on. During the day 809 squadron flew a total of 32 sorties; 10 TacR and Straffing, 14 Bombardment Spotting, and 8 Force cover. One aircraft was damaged in a barrier crash, MA988 flown by Sub-Lt W. S. Donnelly, RNZNVR.

 

On D+12 809 squadron had 13 serviceable aircraft available. The first launch was at 06:44 when 4 TacR and 2 Force Cover Seafires took off. Spotting sorties were not rewired until the late afternoon and the last aircraft to be recovered landed on at 18:16

During the day 809 squadron flew a total of 26 sorties; 10 TacR, 10 Bombardment Spotting, and 4 Force cover. Two aircraft suffered undercarriage damage from heavy landings, MB268 flown by Sub-Lt JJerromes and NN122 flown by Sub-Lt Aspinall.

This completed flying operations for Operation DRAGOON. At 20:48, HUNTER , STALKER and the Cruiser CALEDON escorted by the American destroyers MURPHY and SHUBRICK detached from TG88.2 and proceeded to Maddalena. At 10:45 on Monday 28th August, HUNTER  and STALKER arrived at Maddalena and anchored in Arsachona Bay at about 11:30. At this time STALKER’s 809 had 15 serviceable Seafires, HUNTER ’s 807 had only 4.

Over the 13 days of operation DRAGOON 809 squadron completed a total of 337 sorties: 65 Bombardment Spotting, 14 Beach Cover, 110 Low Force Cover, 51 TacR with bombs (31 with 500 lb and 20 with 250 lb); 97 TacR with straffing for the loss of 3 aircraft and 14 deck landing accidents. One pilot killed and 1 reported missing. 807 squadron in HUNTER had completed a total of 307 sorties; 36 dive-bombing, 56 armed reconnaissance, 96 Force cover, 48 Beach Cover, 16 TacR and 55 Spotting missions for the loss of 4 aircraft and 11 deck landing accidents. Two pilots were killed, 1 reported missing, and one seriously injured.

After storing ship HUNTER and STALKER sailed for Alexandria, arriving there on September 2nd, 809 disembarked a detachment to RNAS Dekhelia the same day.

 

Operations in the Aegean Sea: September to November 1944

While at Alexandria the seven carriers of Rear Admiral Troubridge’s Escort Carrier Squadron were reallocated for operations in the Aegean, and a new force, Force 120, was constituted on September 2nd and initially comprised HM Ships ROYALIST (FOEC) ATTACKER, HUNTER, EMPEROR, KHEDIVE, PURSUER,  SEARCHER, and STALKER, TROUBRIDGE (Capt. (D) 24), TYRIAN, TEAZER, TERMAGANT, TERPSICHORE, TUMULT, TUSCAN, TENACIOUS, Greek destroyer HHelMS NAVARINON, and Polish destroyer ORP GARLAND. They were joined on the 24th by the cruisers ORION, AJAX, BLACK PRINCE, ARGONAUT, AURORA, and COLOMBO from Naples.

Elements of the Escort Carrier Squadron, HUNTER,  KHEDIVE, PURSUER, and SEARCHER were in action during early September to conduct Operation OUTING I, sailing on September 9th. STALKER re-embarked her squadron on the 19th, and sailed on September 25th in company with BLACK PRINCE and several Destroyers headed for the Southern Aegean. Her 15 Seafire L.IIIs and 5 LR.IIc were to provide air cover for the 5th Minesweeper Flotilla operating in the Kinaros Channel. Photographic recon missions were flown over Rhodes, Kos, Syros, Leros and surrounding islands 809 also carried out anti-shipping strikes and bombardment spotting missions. There were two aircraft damaged during flying operations on the 28th and 29th; Lt. Cdr H. D. B . Eaden, RNVR bounced into both barriers landing in NN112 on the 28th and Sub-Lt R. O. W. Barker, RNVR twisted the arrester hook & frame landing on in NN120 the following day.

On the evening of the 28th the small force proceeded in line astern through the recently swept Kinaros Channel, the first British surface ship to do so since the fall of Crete in 1941. The next morning air strikes were made on four Siebel ferries, shallow-draft catamaran landing craft, seen sheltering in a small cove, due to low cloud only one was hit; they were finished off by gunfire from Destroyers. The ship next provided Bombardment spotters for BLACK PRINCE to shell Syros harbour, followed this by a fighter bomber strike. A photo reconnaissance flight was flown off in the afternoon and on its return STALKER withdrew and set course for Alexandria. Two more Seafires were put out of action due to deck crashes on the 29th; Sub-Lt G. H. Brittain. RNVR in MB136 suffered engine failure landing on and the starboard undercarriage leg collapsed, and Sub-Lt G. C. Morris, RNVR bounced landing in NM967 caught the last wire and entered the barrier.

Durum this foray into the Aegean 809 Sqn had flown 97 sorties with no losses, only 4 aircraft were damaged in deck landing. On reaching Alexandria on the 30th a detachment of 4 aircraft were out ashore to RNAS Dekhelia before the ship anchored.

As STALKER arrived back at Alexandria to replenish three of the Carriers were released from Force 120 to return to the UK to refit KHEDIVE, PURSUER,  and  SEARCHER departed on October 1st leaving ATTACKER, EMPEROR, HUNTER and STALKER on station.

 

Operation OUTING phase II

STALKER re-embarked her detachment on October 6th and sailed to join HUNTER engaged in Operation OUTING II, a second series of strikes carried out between September 30th and October 11th.

On the 7th the Cruisers BLACK PRINCE (S.O), AURORA, CVEs HUNTER and STALKER passed through the Kinaros Channel to enter the central Aegean. That afternoon 12 F/B Seafires carried out a strikes against a small enemy convoy of three ships, the largest, approximately 1,000 tons was sunk, another, a Caïque was damaged and one of the convoy escorts was run aground. Later that afternoon 8 F/B Seafires, 4 each from 807 and 809 carried out a strikes against a 2,000 ton vessel located SW of Lemnos, 2 direct hits with 500-lb bombs were achieved, one each by Lt. Cdr Eaden and Sub-Lt A. C. S. Morrison, RNVR, it sank almost immediately. Flak from the ship hit Seafire NF439 forcing the pilot Sub-Lt D. Stewart (807 Sqn) to bale out but he was killed. Aircraft from 809 also carried out armed recognisance flights over Kos and engaged motor transport targets. Sub-Lt A. D. Perry, RNVR (809 Sqn) was killed while strafing a German motorised column, his aircraft was hit by flak and then collides with the Agios Pavlos church spire before crashing in flames in an olive grove in the area of Linopotis. On completion of the day’s operations the two Carriers and attendant Destroyers detached from the Cruisers and moved overnight to begin a day of armed reconnaissance in the central Aegean.

The Carriers arrived at the start point of their operational area, west of the island of Strati, at 07:30 on September 8th. Most of the day was reconnaissance sorties but some strikes were called for once targets were identified, this were mostly attacks against coastal shipping and harbours. 809 lost one aircraft due to flak damage, Sub-Lt G. S. Macartney, RNVR baled out and was picked up by the Destroyer TUSCAN. Also on the 8th the first attack on locomotives railway rolling stock was made, Sub-Lt A. R. Rawbone, RNVR and Sub-Lt Brittain, attacked a railway engine, set wagons on fire, and damaged a water tower and a signal box, on the Larissa-Salonika line. On their return fight to the ship they sank small coaster.

On the 9th aircraft attacked another locomotive and railway rolling stock on the Velos to Salonika line at Katermi on the Greek mainland. Sub-Lt D. Lee-Jones, RNVR (809 Sqn) has a close call when a bullet hit his oil tank during this strike, he managed to return to the ship and landed on with zero oil pressure. HUNTERS 807 Sqn lost another pilot while attacking a group of 3 Siebel Ferries, Sub-Lt J. A. Littler, and RNVR was hit by flak but failed to bale out.

On the 10th the two carriers were ordered to withdraw, HUNTER  conducted reconnaissance flights over Syros and Leros and launched attacks on harbours as a diversion for OUTING III operations in the northern Aegean. STALKER was to proceed directly to Alexandria. During this short foray into the Aegean STALKER’s 809 squadron flew 80 sorties, she carried 16 Seafires and 22 pilots; 1 aircraft and its pilot were lost in action. 3 were seriously damaged, on withdrawing she had 9 serviceable aircraft. On arrival at Alexandria, she disembarked her aircraft to RNAS Dekhelia on the 11th.

The ship was only in port for as long as it took to take on stores and to bring her squadron back to full strength before she sailed again on October 13th for phase 4 of Operation OUTING, re-embarking her Seafires once clear of the harbour.

Operation OUTING phase IV

In Phase four Force ‘A’ was to support the landing in Greece of British and Greek forces in Operation MANNA. The Force comprised of the CVEs ATTACKER, EMPEROR and STALKER, Cruisers AURORA, BLACK PRINCE, AJAX, ORION, Destroyers TROUBRIDGE, TERMAGANT, TUSCAN, TYRIAN and Polish ORP GARLAND to cover the reoccupation of Piraeus.

On the passage north the carriers conducted Armed Recon sorties searching for targets of opportunity but none meriting a strike presented themselves, the Germans were now in retreat, in fact the last German forces had left Athens on the 12th, three days before the MANNA landings were to begin. In light of this development the original planning changed, Force ‘A’ spilt on reaching the operational area, ATTACKER and STALKER were to remain 50 miles off Piraeus and provide air cover for the landing, taking turns at maintaining 4 Seafires airborne for CAP over Athens throughout the day. ROYALIST, EMPEROR and two Destroyers went north, Hellcats from EMPEROR’s 800 Sqn were to attack any German shipping, rail or road transport and hinder the retreat.

The MANNA landings began at 05:30 on October 15th, the only enemy aircraft encountered was at 11:10 when a reconnaissance Ju88 was selected, 809 Sqn CAP fighters gave chase and it was shot down 15 miles south of Athens at 11:15. STALKER was order to join ROYALIST and  EMPEROR on the morning of the 16th, ATTACKER remained to continue the CAP cover.

At 10:15n the 17th two flights from 809 bombed Velos harbour, 5 pilots shared in the destruction of a Dutch Do 24 flying-boat; Sub-Lt Macartney in MB133, Sub-Lt Morris in M8269, Sub-Lt Morrison in NF607, Sub-Lt James in NN390 and Sub-Lt A. B. Foley, RNVR in NN134.

809 lost two aircraft on the 18th; Sub-Lt Baker in NN134 was hit by flak while strafing a motorised column and baled out S of Mount Olympus, he safely parachuted. Sub-Lt G. J. T. Moore, RNZNVR in MA975 was also hit by flak while attacking Locomotives and had to bale out near Mount Olympus, he was later reported as bring safe.

EMPEROR withdrew to Alexandria on the 19th, followed by STALKER on the 20th leaving only ATTACKER operating in the Aegean until she too withdrew on the 30th. On arrival at Alexandria STALKER and ATTACKER were released from Force 120.

 

Reallocated for service with 21st Aircraft carrier Squadron

On October 31st the three Assault Carriers, ATTACKER, HUNTER, and STALKER sailed in company for the UK. Calling at Malta on November 3rd to embark passengers for passage to the UK. The three carriers were earmarked for service with the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron (21 ACS), with the East Indies Fleet and were to undergo a short period of defect rectification while their crews went on home leave. They reached Plymouth on November 10th and ATTACKER and STALKER were put in the hands of Devonport Naval Dockyard, HUNTER continued on to Portsmouth. The three Assault Carriers were moored alongside and two weeks leave was granted to the whole ships company, only a care and Maintenance party remained aboard.

The immediate repairs and crew leave completed the three Assault Carriers sailed from Plymouth on November 29th for Gibraltar; all three were on passage to undergo refits and tropicalisation in Mediterranean dockyards; STALKER was to refit in Gibraltar on their arrival on December 3rd so, 809 squadron had transferred to ATTACKER on November 28th and were disembarked along with 879 squadron to RNAS Dekhelia, Egypt on December 11th. HUNTER proceeded to Malta for refit beginning December 6th. ATTACKER was to refit in the Italian port of Taranto, her squadron was already operating from RNAS Dekhelia.

Her refit was completed in late February 1945 and after her post refit shake-down STALKER sailed for Alexandria where she was to re-embark 809 Sqn from RNAS Dekhelia on March 7th before transiting the Suez Canal. STALKER arrived off the west coast of Ceylon on March 20th and disembarked 809 Sqn to RNAS Katukurunda before continuing on to Trincomalee to join the 21st Aircraft carrier Squadron (21 ACS - EMPEROR, HUNTER , KHEDIVE and STALKER. and later joined by AMEER, ATTACKER PURSUER, SEARCHER, SHAH, and TROUNCER), a part of the East Indies Fleet.

Flying training continued on passage through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Arabia with nine flying incidents recorded; on the 10th Sub-Lt R. H.F. Lavender RNVR in NF445 suffered a port oleo collapsed on landing and NF425 piloted by Sub-Lt H. I. Aspinall RNZNVR pecked the deck landing. On the 13th NF657 flown by Sub-Lt A. O. Fry RNVR, pecked the deck with his prop landing. On the 15th the first of three landing incidents resulting in tail oleo damage occurred; The tail oleo of NN441, flown by Sub-Lt D. F. Mant RNVR, was smashed when the aircraft was jerked to standstill by arrester wire, the following day the same thing happened to NN508, flown by Sub-Lt J. Birtle RNVR, and again on the 17th a similar incident befell NF448 8, flown by Sub-Lt J. W. Hill RNVR. NF494 flown by Sub-Lt R. H. F. Lavender RNVR suffered a damaged oleo leg due to a heavy landing on the 16th and on the 17th NN472 flown by Sub-Lt K. Herring RNVR bounced on landing and caught No. 8 wire but entered the barrier, while PP977 flown by Lt-Cdr A. W. Bloomer RNVR caught a late wire and his prop hit the barrier.

The next four weeks were spent working up both the ships and her squadron in readiness for operations with 21 ACS. 809 conducted flying training from RNAS Katukurunda and the ship. STALKER carried out flying training and acted as a DLT carrier for aircraft from 757 Sqn at RNAS Puttalam commencing on April 14th and completed on the 20th.

During this working up period there were several flying accidents; the first was on April 12th when Sub-Lt D. McDonald RNVR bounced on landing in NN352 and floated into the barrier; on the 14th the first of two aircraft form 757 Sqn had barrier crashes – Seafire NN317 piloted by Lt R. W. Murray RNVR caught no.2 wire before entering the barrier and the following day Corsair JS624 flown by Sub-Lt R. Brown RNVR had its hook torn off on the rounddown and entered the barrier.
 

Operation DRACULA - airborne and amphibious landings to recapture Rangoon, Burma

STALKER was now allocated to participate in Operation DRACULA, 809 squadron re-embarked on April 21st and the ship sailed from Trincomalee at 15:00 on April 23rd for passage to Akyab, Burma; replacement aircraft were embarked from RNAS Trincomalee once at sea. She sailed in company with the Battleships HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, and Free French Ship RICHELIEU, Cruisers CUMBERLAND, PHOEBE (Fighter Direction Ship), ROYALIST (Flag 21 ACS, Commodore G.N. Oliver, CB, DSO), SUFFOLK and CEYLON, Netherlands cruiser TROMP and ships of 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron EMPEROR, HUNTER , and  KHEDIVE screened by Destroyers SAUMAREZ, TARTAR, ROTHERHAM, VENUS, VERULAM, VIGILANT, VIRAGO, NUBIAN and PENN. The carriers and destroyers of 21 ACS arrived at Akyab at mid-day on April 26th, ROYALIST and PHOEBE going to Kyaukpyu. After refuelling the Force awaited further orders.

There were two landing accidents on passage, both on the 25th; PP944 piloted by Lt-Cdr A. W. Bloomer caught No.5 wire and the prop tipped the barrier while PP976 flown by Sub-Lt J. W. Hill RNVR had its hook and tail oleo torn off after fighter direction exercise

The force sailed from Akyab at 11:00 on Sunday the 29th for Kyaukpyu; four Auster Air Observation Post (AOP) aircraft from No. 656 AOP Squadron RAF flew out to join the force once clear of Akyab, one landing on each carrier. On passage communications for the operation were tested, and radar calibration was carried out. The force anchored off Kyaukpyu at 16:53 joining the vessels of Force ‘W’ for the assault operation. These ships had already been moved from their bases in India and Ceylon to gather off Akyab and Kyaukpyu.

D-Day was set for the second of May and the assault force was sailed in four convoys from Kyaukpyu, the slowest, 'Dog' of 4½ knots, on April 27th followed by 'Easy' on the 28th and `Charlie' and 'Baker' at roughly twenty-four-hour intervals thereafter. The 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron sailed at 06:40 on April 30th to provide daylight air cover for c envoy 'Baker' then leaving Kyaukpyu. This convoy included LARGS (Flag Officer, Force W), PHOEBE as Fighter Direction Ship, 4 Landing Ships Infantry 2 transports, and H.M. Indian sloops CAUVERY and SUTLE. Flying commenced at 110:00 with 4 Force Cover aircraft were launched from STALKER followed by another 4 at 16:45; 4 Seafires were kept at 10-minute readiness to launch from 17:00. flying operations ceased at 18:05.

On May 1st bad weather prevented flying in the forenoon, heavy seas and gusts of up to 44 knots were experienced but had eased by Noon when STALKER launched 4 aircraft for low cover. 12 further sorties were flown in the afternoon, by this time convoy Charlie' was also receiving air cover. Throughout the day the force took on fuel; ROYALIST took on 248 tons from STALKER, SAUMAREZ 70 tons from KHEDIVE, VENUS 120 tons from  EMPEROR, VIRAGO 116 tons and VIGILANT 111 tons from HUNTER. Flying ceased at 17:55 and the Squadron retired to the Southeast. There was a serious deck landing accident during the day’s flying: Sub-Lt A. C. S. Morrison RNVR in NF434 ('Y') broke through the crash barriers landing and entered the deck park, it pushed NN416 ('T') overboard, and wrote off both his own machine and PP944 ('L'). The impact caused the guns to fire, a.303in bullet passed through Sub-L D. F. Mant’s cap, he was unhurt.
 

D-Day May 2nd: The assault convoys arrived at the lowering positions 30 miles off the Yangon River during the night 1st/2nd May and formed into two assault groups; W1 and W2. Group W1 consisted of the Landing Ships (Infantry) PERSIMMON and BARPETA, Landing Craft (Headquarters) 317, 4 Landing Craft (Infantry), 9 Landing Craft (Tank), 3 Landing Craft (Gun), 2 Motor Launches and 4 Harbour Defence Motor Launches. Captain Tyndale Cooper, Senior Officer Assault Group W1, with Brigadier L. V. Hutcheson commanding the 71st Indian Infantry Brigade were embraced in Landing Craft (Headquarters) 317,. Group W2 consisted of the Landing Ships (Infantry) SILVIO, GLENROY and PRINCE ALBERT, Landing Craft (Headquarters) 101, 10 Landing Craft (Infantry), 8 Landing Craft (Tank), 2 Landing Craft (Gun), and an unstated number of Motor Launches and Harbour Defence Motor Launches. Captain Bell Senior Officer Assault Group W2, with Brigadier I. Lauder, commanding the 36th Indian Infantry Brigade, were embraced in Landing Craft (Headquarters) 101.

At 02:30 on May 2nd the assault group were formed up on their respective Landing Craft Headquarters ships, once the manoeuvre was completed the two groups set off for the beaches. The Landing craft touched down shortly after 7 o'clock, Assault Group W1 at Kyauktan Creek on the Eastern bank of the Yangon River, Assault Group W2 at Sadinghmut on the Western bank. There was no opposition; the Japanese had left Rangoon.

The Carrier force arrived in the flying off position, south of the mouth of the Yangon River at 05:30 and flying operations began. The carriers flew a total of 100 sorties on D-Day, 12 for Force cover, 72 for Beach Cover, and 16 Fighter bomber sorties. STALKER launched 8 Seafires at 05:30. 4 fighter/bombers and 4 fighters for force cover. Also launched at 05:30 where four Seafires from HUNTER and four Hellcats from EMPEROR, all to bomb and strafe light anti-aircraft positions at Thakutpin on the west bank of the Rangoon River. One of STALKETR’s fighter/bombers failed to join up with the formation but strike successfully dropped their bombs within the target area; they met no resistance and there was no flak.16 more inshore low cover sorties were flown during the day, the last 4 were diverted from their patrol sector to investigate what turned out to be friendly ‘bogeys’. These aircraft also took oblique photos of the area and reported back valuable intelligence. At 16:40 the carrier squadron withdrew to the southwest for the night.
 

D +1: On returning to the operating area at 05:30 on the 3rd the weather was poor and flying was cancelled. Between 10:15 and 13:00 KHEDIVE transferred 185 tons of fuel to ROYALIST. The first troops landed in Rangoon Town at 17:00; the enemy had already withdrawn.
 

D +2: the day brought better weather conditions and flying resumed. The carriers began flying operations at 06:30, STALKER launching 4 Seafires for inshore low cover. A second patrol of 4 aircraft were launched at 07:11 but weather conditions began to rapidly deteriorate and the flying programme was suspended at 07:30, the carriers had flown 16 Beach Cover sorties.

Between 08:45 and 10:45 KHEDIVE refuelled one of her escorting Destroyers, HMS VIRAGO, transferring 123 tons of oil. While disengaging from the evolution at 10:45 VIRAGO was in collision with KHEDIVE, her bow impacted on KHEDIVEs Port side aft, between her sponsons. Minor above the waterline damage was done to both ships. At 14:15 the Auster AOP aircraft were launched from the carriers to fly to a prepared strip inland. Operation DRACULA flying operations were completed at 17:15 and the Carrier Squadron withdrew Southward in preparation for further air operations in the Mergui .

During Operation DRACULA 809 squadron flew 56 sorties, 48 for low cover, 4 high cover and 4 fighter/bomber. A total of 85½ flying hours.

 

Strikes in the Mergui and Victoria Point areas on the Tenasserim coast

On May 5th the Carrier Squadron arrived in position 12° 38’ N, 97° 22’ E, approximately 300 miles south of their previous operational area, and flying commenced at 06:45. STALKER launched 2 Seafires for Force Cover at 06:54.

The flying programme called for 9 anti-shipping armed recon missions, 5 employing Hellcats, and four by Seafires. Six Hellcats were launched for each mission. 4 configured as Bombers with 2 fighters providing cover. EMPEROR’s 800 Sqn launched aircraft for 2 missions, KHEDIVE’s 808 Sqn launched aircraft for 3. The Seafire missions were conducted by 4 aircraft configured as Fighter Bombers, HUNTER’s 807 Sqn launched aircraft for 3 missions, and STALKER’s 809 Sqn launched aircraft for 4 missions. In addition to seeking out enemy shipping the Hellcats also ranged inland to strike at Japanese airfields.

Shipping targets were few, most of the vessels encountered were small fishing craft or barges; EMPEROR’s second sweep did find a target, a large camouflaged Junk which was strafed and left burning, they also checked out the Japanese emergency airfield at Turrets which was deserted and had been made unusable by ditches dug across the runway. Hellcats from c attacked a Jetty south of the town at Mergui with bombs and it collapsed. Barges alongside were damaged. A Jetty on the west side of Patit Island was bombed and cut in half, and 4 lighters sunk. Warehouses to the west of the jetty were hit by two bombs. A further 4 lighters between Mergui and Patit Island were strafed. At Turretts Island an 80-foot camouflaged junk was left burning and probably sunk.

Flying ceased at 17:30 and the force withdrew to the Southwest at 1800. The four carriers flew a total of 52 sorties on May 5th; 12 Force Cover, 20 anti-shipping armed recon, 10 Fighter Escort & 4 Fighter intercept. HUNTER’ flew 14 sorties, 12 anti-shipping armed recon & 2 Force Cover. STALKER flew 20 sorties, 10 Force Cover, 6 anti-shipping armed recon & 4 intercepts. KHEDIVE flew 18 sorties, 12 anti-shipping armed recon& 6 Fighter Escort. EMPEROR flew 12 sorties, 8 anti-shipping armed recon& 4 Fighter Escort. There was one serious deck crash during 809 Sqn operations, Sub-Lt McDonald in NF494 bounced on landing and broke through both crash barriers which removed his undercarriage before the machine came to rest on the starboard Oerlikon mount.

On May 6th the squadron arrived at position 10°38’ N, 97°10’ E at 06:00. Flying commenced at 06:30 when 12 aircraft were launched for armed reconnaissance over airfields and anti-shipping strikes in the area of Victoria Point, approximately 17 miles further south from Mergui. This strike comprised of 8 Hellcats, 4 from EMPEROR and 4 from KHEDIVE, each carrying two 500 lib bombs and 4 Seafires as fighter escort from STALKER. A Radar installation on Victoria Point was bombed and strafed, 1 barge was sunk and a 150-foot junk was strafed and left blazing. At the airfield North of Victoria Point 3 aircraft were observed on the ground; two of them burnt out and the other was  probably a dummy. Airfield buildings and a Barracks to the east were strafed by the Seafires.

The last sorties of the operation were flown by 4 Seafires from STALKER which took off at 10:15 for an armed shipping reconnaissance of Go Frah Tang Island area. A thunderstorm forced them to turn back before reaching the Thailand coast and they eventually landed on in difficult conditions; one aircraft NN141, flown by Sub-Lt J. W. Hill RNVR made a heavy landing causing damage to the prop and port undercarriage leg.

Flying ceased at 11:20 due to poor weather conditions and the force withdrew to the Southwest at 12:00 and set course for Trincomalee. During the day the four carriers flew a total of 24 sorties on May 6th; 6 Force Cover, 4 anti-shipping armed recon, 8 TacR, 4 Fighter Escort; 2 Recon sorties launched while withdrawing. STALKER flew 8 sorties, 4 anti-shipping armed recon & 4 Fighter Escort. HUNTER flew 8 sorties, 6 Force Cover and 2 Recon. KHEDIVE flew 4 TacR sorties. EMPEROR flew 4 TacR sorties.

On May 7th flying exercises commenced at 08:35, later in the afternoon ROYALIST fuelled 114 tons from STALKER, and VIGILANT 114 tons from EMPEROR. This was a bad day for 809 Sqn,4 aircraft were destroyed in a deck crash on completion of training; NN180 ('U') flown by Sub-Lt H. D. Atkin RNVR bounced over all the barriers and entered the deck park, PP981 ('J') was pushed overboard, NN180 and two other aircraft we written off, Sub-Lt. Atkin was OK.

On Tuesday May 8th all exercises were cancelled on account of the surrender of German armed forces; all the ships in the force celebrated Victory in Europe Day, the order was given to "Splice the mainbrace" and services of thanksgiving were held throughout the EIF. The ships of 21 ACS arrived at Trincomalee at 08:50 on Wednesday May 9th. Shore leave was granted but all personnel were recalled later that day when an order was received that all serviceable vessels in the East Indies Fleet were ordered to prepare for sea. STALKERS did not sail.

STALKER was now allocated to join Force 63 for the upcoming operation BALSAM and it is believed that the ship first undertook a period of defect rectification. She disembarked her squadron to RNAS Trincomalee on May 31st. On putting back to sea 809 squadron re-embarked on June 5th and flying exercises were conducted in readiness for the operation.

 

Photographic Reconnaissance of S. Malaya and  Sumatran airfield strikes: Operation BALSAM June 1945

Force 63 sailed from Trincomalee on June 14th to conduct a Photographic Reconnaissance of Southern Malaya and strikes against Sumatran airfields. Force 63, for this operation comprised of ROYALIST (AC 21), SUFFOLK, STALKER (809 Seafire), KHEDIVE (808 Hellcat), AMEER (804 Hellcat & 888 PR Hellcat), ROTHERHAM (D 11), RACEHORSE, REDOUBT, RELENTLESS, and ROEBUCK.

From the flying off position in the northern approaches to the Malacca Straits, the 6 Photographic Reconnaissance Hellcats of 888 Sqn were launched from AMEER to begin photographic reconnaissance flights over southern Malaya on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of June. 888 squadron was down by one aircraft after the first sortie as Sub Lt. E. C. Godden, RNVR in Hellcat JV228, caught a late wire and hit the barrier on the 18th. On completion of the photographic reconnaissance portion of the operation fighter strikes were made against the airfields at Lhoksemawe, Medan, and Binjai on the 20th by Seafires from 809, and Hellcats from 804, and 808 Squadrons. Runways were put out of action with 5o0 lb bombs at Medan and Binjai. Attacks on grounded enemy aircraft resulted in 3 being destroyed, 7 left burning and probably destroyed and 9 damaged. Aerodrome buildings, locomotives, and rolling stock were also effectively strafed. Off Medan 2 junks, - one carrying oil – were attacked and set on fire. Force 63 was apparently not detected throughout the operation. One of 809 Sqn Seafires, NN270 flown by Sub-Lt Hill, suffered tail damage while landing on after a strafing sortie. On completion of the air strikes Force 63 withdrew and set course for Trincomalee.

At 13:40 on June 21st AMEER and STALKER, escorted by ROTHERHAM and RELENTLESS detached from the force. AMEER was further detached at 22:00 to proceed independently for Madras. At mid-day on the 22nd ROTHERHAM and RELENTLESS detached from STALKER bound for Trincomalee, STALKER proceed independently for Cochin, arriving there at 19:15 on the 25th.

It is believed that STALKER undertook a short period of defect rectification; including a spell in dry-dock before arriving back at Trincomalee where she was allocated to participate in Operation JURIST an amphibious assault by the 3rd Commando Brigade to capture Penang Island on the west coast of Malaya planned for August 21st 1945. The ship now began a program of flying training and exercises with other vessels of 21 ACS. Which was to continue until July 18th . She sailed from Trincomalee on the morning of July 12th in company with the light cruiser PHOEBE, CVE KHEDIVE and the destroyers REDOUBT and ROCKET bound for Cocanada on the East coast of India where they arrived around 18:00 on the 13th.

On the 15th STALKER and KHEDIVE conducted flying exercises off Cocanada, the light cruiser Phoebe conducted independent exercises during the night of 15/16th, on completion she departed for Trincomalee. The two carriers conducted further flying exercises on the 16th the exercises were completed around 17:30. KHEDIVE and ROCKET then returned to the anchorage while STALKER and REDOUBT set course for Colombo, on reaching the Ceylonese coast the carrier disembarked 809 Sqn to RNAS Trincomalee, arriving at Colombo around 07:30 on the 19th.

There were two flying incidents during this period: On July 15th Sub-Lt Mant had to be rescued by the Destroyer ROCKET after his aircraft, NN139 bounced over the barrier, passed the deck park and went over the foc’sle, he was unhurt. On the17th Sub-Lt D. Holmes RNVR made a wheels-up landing in NN270 after the undercarriage failed to lower; the aircraft was put ashore to RNAS Trincomalee and was later written off.

809 Sqn re-embarked on August 1st, all but the one aircraft making a successful landing; NN379 flown by Sub-Lt McDonald bounced and floated into barrier. Flying training and exercise were carried out in preparation for the next operation, but at 11:30 on August 15th the Station General Message 'SUSPEND OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS AGAINST JAPANESE FORCES' was made to all ships and allied forces. Japan had surrendered.
 

 

Amphibious assault on Penang Island, operation JURIST, August 1945

Elements of the EIF put to sea at 09:30 on August 17th for operation JURIST; they planned to land on Penang Island and reoccupy it accepting the surrender of Japanese forces there. Forces involved weere Force 11, comprising the Battleship NELSON ( Flag, Vice Admiral Walker), escort carriers ATTACKER (879 Sqn 24 Seafire L.III), HUNTER (807 Sqn 24 Seafire L.III), SHAH (845 Sqn 12 Avenger (for strikes), 851 Sqn 5 Avenger for A/S cover)), and STALKER (809 Sqn 24 Seafire L.III), the light cruisers CEYLON and NIGERIA, the destroyers PETARD, TARTAR and VOLAGE, and the landing ships PRINCES BEATRIX and QUEEN EMMA. Force 12 comprised the destroyers VERULAM and VIGILANT and eight yard minesweepers; Force 13 comprised the destroyer PENN and LST 383 loaded with vehicles; Force 14 with the escort destroyer CALPE and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s BELA and EMPIRE SALVAGE; Force 68 with the heavy cruiser LONDON (Flag, Commodore Poland) and destroyers RAIDER and ROCKET; and Force 157 with the Indian sloop GODAVARI, Coastal Forces repair ships BARRACUDA and MULL OF GALLOWAY, tanker CROMWELL, 26 motor launches of the 34th, 38th and 56th Motor Launch Flotillas, and nine harbour defence motor launches of the 110th Harbour Defence Motor Launch Flotilla.

Shortly after the JURIST forces took passage eastward delays in negotiations, and in the arrival of the Japanese Emperor's orders to cease hostilities in South East Asia became apparent; orders were issued postponing the start of JURIST and on August 20th all forces took shelter on the north east coast of Great Nicobar Island. ATTACKER and HUNTER were ordered to proceed to Rangoon. SHAH, STALKER and the Cruiser NIGERIA were released and sailed for Trincomalee on the 24th, arriving in harbour on the 26th. On the 28th a detachment of 9 Seafires from 809 Sqn flew ashore to operate from RNAS Trincomalee.

 

The reoccupation of Malaya, Operation ZIPPER; September 1945

After the Japanese surrender, all upcoming plans to accept the surrender of Japanese forces in the area and liberate former British colonies were poised set to be put into action. However, political constraints meant that no landings could take place until after the signing of the main surrender in Tokyo on September 2nd, 1945. The delays meant that all plans were now to change; thus, the reoccupation of Malaya would take place in three phases. Phase one would be the recapture of Penang Island (Operation JURIST). Phase two would be the recapture of Singapore (Operation TIDERACE). Phase three would be the sea borne assault of North West Malaya in the Port Dickson, Port Swettenham area with landings near Morib with the 25th Indian Division and the 37th brigade of the 23rd Indian Division (modified Operation ZIPPER), carried out as planned and rehearsed, but the covering air and sea bombardment had been cancelled. The forces

The forces participating in these three operations were escorted by Force 61 which comprised of the Battleships NELSON (Flag Vice Admiral H. T. C. Walker, BS.3), and RICHELIEU, the cruisers NIGERIA, CLEOPATRA, and CEYLON, with air cover from the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, comprising of ROYALIST (Rear Admiral G. N. Oliver, CB, DSO, AC21), AMEER, BEGUM, EMPEROR, EMPRESS, HUNTER, KHEDIVE, PURSUER, STALKER, and TRUMPETER (Ferrying RAF Spitfires) escorted by fifteen destroyers.

STALKER sailed from Trincomalee on September 4th in company with the CVEs AMEER, BEGUM, EMPEROR, EMPRESS, and KHEDIVE, and KHEDIVE to rendezvous with assault convoy JME1F on the 6th and provide air cover during passage of the Malacca Straight on the 8th and 9th, they were joined by by ATTACKER and HUNTER while at sea; she had sailed from Penang on the 7th. BEGUM ran aground on leaving the harbour and was withdrawn from the operation, EMPRESS suffered a catastrophic catapult failure on the 8th and returned to Trincomalee.

No resistance was experienced on any of the beaches and Force 61 (now comprising NELSON (BS3), RICHELIEU, ROYALIST, (AC 21), EMPEROR, HUNTER, KHEDIVE, and STALKER, CEYLON, SAUMAREZ (D 26), RELENTLESS, TARTAR (D 10), PALADIN, MYNGS (D 2), BLACKMORE and FARNDALE) was released from ZIPPER on the 10th and preceded on to Singapore.

The ships of Force 61 anchored in Singapore Roads between 09:30 and 10:30 on the morning of Tuesday, September 11th, 1945 and waited for instructions. Later the order was given for part of the force to proceed into the harbour; EMPEROR, HUNTER, KHEDIVE, and STALKER anchored in Keppel Harbour. The CVEs AMEER and ATTACKER were among 90 ships (including 70 RN and RIN warships, 3 Royal Fleet Auxiliaries, 3 hospital ships and 14 merchant vessels) present in Singapore Roads for the ceremony in which the Japanese forces in South East Asia surrendered on September 12th. At 1600 on the 13th ROYALIST with EMPEROR, HUNTER, KHEDIVE, STALKER and the Indian sloop GODAVARI sailed for Trincomalee.

 

 

Stood Down and return to the UK

STALKER arrived back at Trincomalee on September 20th. There is one final flying incident recorded for the ship on this date; Hellcat FN407 from 757 Sqn at RNAS Tambaram is recorded as bouncing on landing and the prop pecked the deck, the aircraft was put ashore to RNAS Trincomalee The ship was now stood down from 21 ACS operations and received orders to sail for the UK.

She called at Colombo on September 28th and embarked passengers and stores for passage. She sailed on October 2nd bound for the Clyde via the Suez Canal. On reaching the UK she disembarked 809 squadron to RNAS Nutts Corner, Northern Ireland on October 21st before arriving on the Clyde on the 22md where she was transferred to the Rosyth Command.

 

Disposal: Return to US Custody

STALKER was no longer required for service in the Royal Navy and the majority of her crew were drafted to RN Barracks, a steaming crew was left aboard to handle the ship on her final Atlantic crossing. Work began to prepare her for her return to the custody of the US Navy as soon as her passengers had left, de-storing her and removing Admiralty equipment. On completion of de-storing and equipment removal STALKER sailed for Norfolk, Virginia on December 2nd.

On arrival at Norfolk on December 14th 1945 she was inventoried and processed before moving to a berth at Norfolk Navy Yard at 09:30 on December 28th. She was decommissioned the next day and CVVE-15 was returned to US Navy custody. CVVE-15 was struck from the Navy List March 20th 1946.

She was sold to Waterman Steamship Corp. of Mobile, Alabama on December 18th 1946. Waterman in turn sold her in September 1947 it to the Dutch Government for the Dutch Steamship Company Maatschappij Nederland. She was converted back into a cargo/passenger ship with accommodation for15 passengers in 5 cabins by Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation, Mobile, and conducted Sea trials on November 5th 1947 before commissioning on November 12th 1947 as the SS RIOUW (II). On December 2nd 1947, the ship departed for her maiden voyage from New Orleans for the Java-New York Line. From 1960 to 1963 in charter for the VNS in The Hague. In September 1967 it was sold to Panama to Atlas Enterprises Inc., Panama and renamed SS LOBITO on October 27th1967. In 1970 it was sold to Côte d'Ivoire to Comarin Africa Line. On July 2nd 1975 she was sold to Hierros Ardeste Gandia via Van Castricum in Rotterdam to be scrapped. The actual demolition started in mid-September 1975.

 

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Content revised: 19 July 2024

 

Sources used in compiling this account: Click here for a list of Primary sources   Additional sources: Fold3.com various documents including; Admiralty War Diaries Norfolk Navy Yard War Diaries Mew York Navy Yard War Diaries  COM MOROCCAN SEA FRON › War Diary, 3/1-31/43 Miscellaneous documents

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