ENCLOSURE NO 5 TO A.C I'S
NO. 01/09/12/867 e: MAY 14.1945
Subject
OPERATION "ICEBERG" - 7th AND 8th PERIODS
From THE COMMANDING OFFICER, H.M.S. "VICTORIOUS"
Date 10th May 1945 No. 024 7/8270
To The Flag Officer Commanding, First Aircraft Carrier Squadron, British Pacific Fleet
Herewith is submitted VICTORIOUS report on Operation "Iceberg", 7th & 8th periods.
2. The general standard of flight and carrier drill on and off the deck and in the carrier sector was very patchy indeed during these two periods. It could hardly be otherwise, as nearly 30 % of the aircrews flying were new to their Squadrons and to the ship. Apart from this there was also a bad recurrence of Corsáir starting trouble, with starter cartridge and starter breach failures.
The above prevented the finished performance necessary of any carrier when working as part of a carrier group.
3.The bombing of No.849 Squadron as a whole appears to be deteriorating from its previous very high standard, This is probably due to (a) staleness and (b) 20 % new aircrews.
4. Corsair Bombers, No.1834 Squadron lost most of their expert bombers during the course of, or after, the last "Iceberg" sequence; as a result there are now only 3 or 4 trained fighter-bomber pilots in "Victorious", and usually not more than 2 of these can be earmarked for a fighter-bomber strike.
5. The Air Group Leader's remarks on R/T procedure and operating in T.B.R. is are concurred in,
6. One Avenger had a bad hydraulic leak and could not get flaps or undercarriage to work and returned to the ship. This difficulty was overcome by pouring hydraulic fluid into the reservoir and the spare tank from a spare tin carried in the cockpit was sufficient to permit the lowering of the flaps and undercarriage. This dodge was cribbed from one of the U.S Service magazines and has saved two Avengers of VICTORIOUS from having to ditch and perhaps is worth promulgating
7. The "Kamikaze" attack on the Fleet on 9th May.
1647 Raid reported by KING GEORGE V at 275° 28 miles. This was picked up at 23 miles by VICTORIOUS' Type 277. This raid came in to 14 miles, was reported as splitting, and one track began going away from the Fleet.
1656 Redar reported Bogey at 9 miles. Emergency turn 60° to starboard, At almost the same time, 1 Zeke was sighted on the starboard quarter, height 3000 feet, range about 3 miles. "X" Group opened fire and all close range weapons that would bear opened up as the aircraft closed. As it was clearly coming for VICTORIOUS, 25° of starboard rudder was put on and the ship swung well.
Strikes…
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OPERATION "ICEBERG" - 7th AND 8th PERIODS Page 2
(VICTORIOUS' No.0217/8270 dated 10th May 1945)
Strikes were observed, and smoke appeared from the target. Insufficient damage was inflicted to prevent the aircraft completing its attack in a shallow dive past the bridge across the ship, and it crashed on the accelerator abreast "B" Group. The bomb detonated on contact with the flight deck.
Almost immediately afterwards, the ship having been steadied, a second Zeke was sighted on the starboard quarter. "X" Group again opaned fire followed by all close range weapons that would bear. 1659 This aircraft, hit and flamed at about 500 yards, continued its flight from
Green 155° and skidded on the flight deck into the sea about 200 yards
1703 A third suicider, probably a Zeka, was sighted on the starboard beam, height on the part beam, having out right through the Corsair park. 3000 feet, range about 3000 yards. This was brought under heavy fire from "X" Group and all starboard close range weapons as it flew up the starboard side before turning to dive on HOWE. The aircraft was flamed about 800 yards from HOWE (probably by her) and continued its flight, passing over HOWE to crash harmlessly into the sea. Very shortly after this, the fourth and last suicider was sighted on VICTORIOUS' starboard quarter. "X" Group and some starboard close range weapons opened fire on this target at long range, but fire had to be chacked by all weapons for fear of hitting FORMIDABLE, who was hit by this suicider.
8. The air plan was found easy to operate and within the scope of VICTORIOUS who, except for short periods, has always had fighters in hand to add to the defence of the Fleet when required.
9. I regret to report the loss of Temporary Lieutenant(A) Donald CAMERON, RNZNVR, No.1834 Squadron, who failed to return from a fighter-bomber mission in Strike "Dog" on 9th May and is reported missing; also the deaths of the following in th eenemy air attack on 9th May :-
Joseph LANDERS, Steward, D/LX. 557849,
Albert Anthony BISS, Able Seaman, D/JX.1/79376, and
John Edward Elenzo CANN, Able Seaman, D/3X.215013.
There were twenty others wounded in this attack, ranging from four serious cases to minor ones. Appropriate reports are being rendered.
10. A report of damage sustained will be forwarded in accordance with C.A.F.0.24.89/42 and Bombing and Strafing reports and report of enemy air attack will be rendered separately in accordance with the relevant orders.
FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING
(Sgd) M. M. DENNY