Did the Fairey Swordfish see combat in the Pacific theater during WWII?

Question

I know it was used widely in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, but I have not heard of its use in the Pacific.

I thought perhaps the Australians might have used it for ASW.

Answer 1

The Stringbag was only used in the early days of the Pacific war from British carriers.

My main reason for putting this answer here is for those who know as a matter of fact that World War 2 was ,of course, won solely by our wonderful American Allies and perpetuate the myth that we British sat on our arses and never contributed to the Pacific engagements(see Daniel T above) may I point out the contribution of the British Pacific Fleet and their four battleships, eighteen aircraft carriers, eleven cruisers and many smaller warships and support vessels. Not too much compared to the HUGE American Fleets but worthy of note I believe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Pacific_Fleet#Aircraft_carriers


And before everyone pops off. I`m not a Yank Hater. I like your country and your people. I am appreciative of the help that you extended before and after Pearl Harbour.
Just remember.
Without Britain Hitler would have conquered the Soviet Union. That leaves him in one hell of a position to challenge the only remaining threat to his World Domination

Ray

Answer 2

I belive the British used the Fairey Albacore in the Pacific, but from land bases.

Daniel: Do your homework. In 1943, the HMS Victorious worked with the USS Saratoga in the Pacific, and later in early 1945 the British Pacific Fleet joined with the US Fleet, and attacked the Japanese home islands. Reference Lt. Hamilton Grey, VC.

Also, the TBF Avenger was responsible for most of the U-Boat kills in the Atlantic by aircraft. The SBD was a dismal failure at the task.

Brian: The HMS Hermes was sunk in the Indian Ocean, not the Pacific.

Answer 3

No it was not, the Swordfish was a British torpedo bomber that operated off of aircraft carriers, the British used them extensively in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic against the German and Italian naval presence there, but the British never carried out carrier operations in the pacific theater.

Also there was no need for the swordfish in the pacific theater, it was very slow, and unmaneuverable, when carrying a torpedo, and it was not heavily armored. the US Torpedo bombers, the TBD Devastator's, and TBM Avenger's although much more capable aircraft than the Swordfish, already been proved ineffective and highly vulnerable to enemy fighters at the battle of midway. The United States need for anti-shipping capability was instead fulfilled solely by the highly versatile dauntless dive bomber. which was responsible for nearly 80% of jappanese ships sunk during the war.

So to anwser your querstion, no the sword fish was not used in the pacific theater, the brittish never caried out carrier operations in the pacific, and there was no need in the pacific for the Swordfish.

Answer 4

Google provides great information about the Fairy Swordfish, http://www.google.com.sg/search?q=Fairey+swordfish&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

It was used from land, conventional Air Craft Carriers and converted Merchant Aircraft Carriers. It was also operated by the Dutch who operated four Carriers.

Knowing the Dutch Air Force was active in Dutch East Indies (NEI) and later, Australia I tried to find evidence of them operating Fairy Swordfish in the Pacific but to no avail. I also could find no evidence the Dutch MAC's operated in the Pacific.

It's a remarkable aircraft with distinguished service given it's vintage. I appreciated your question.

Answer 5

The swordfish was aboard the HMS HERMES when she was sunk by Japanese carriers early in the war. It was also used in it's seaplane configuration for scouting. As to after that I don't know for sure but it probably was used by the Aussies until more modern American planes arrived.