The Carriers › HMS Indomitable
HMS Indomitable
1941–1943 · No. 880 Squadron, Sea Hurricanes and Seafires
Bill joined No. 880 aboard Indomitable on 13 October 1941 and flew Sea Hurricanes. In 1942 she served with the Eastern Fleet around Ceylon and took part in Operation Ironclad at Madagascar.
In August 1942, during Operation Pedestal, he flew No. 1 in his flight escorting the Malta convoy. On 12 August his aircraft lost power and he made a dead-stick landing on the carrier. That same day she was hit by bombs and went to the United States for repairs. Bill’s squadron began rejoining her in March 1943, and on 13 July 1943 she was torpedoed off Sicily.
“Wonderful experience shaking hands with George VI and receiving D.S.C. from him.”
Letter to his mother, May 1941